Leaves bases vary greatly
from plant to plant and are useful in
classification and identification.
Bilateral symmetry is typical. However, when the
leaf shows asymmetry at
the base this is known as an oblique leaf base.
Terms
dealing whit the shape of the base of a
leaf:
- Acuminate:
Gradually narrowing at the base.
- Acute:
Becoming Gradually Pointed
- Auriculate: with ear-lobe like appendages at the base
-
Cuneate or wedge shaped:
Inversely triangular with the narrow part tapering toward the
base.
- Hastate: basal lobes pointing outward relative to the long axis of the
blade
- Obtuse: Rounded not
pointed
- Petiolate: with a petiole (three of the overview images)
- Sagittate: Basal lobes pointed back toward the petiole - arrowhead
shaped
- Sessile: petiole reduced - the leaf blade appears to be attached to the
stem
- Subobtuse:
Imperfectly or less than completely obtuse.
- Truncate: Appearing
to terminate abruptly, as if by cutting off.
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