Leaf base

Leaf base [ Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names


	The leaf base is the lowest part of a leaf lamina that is near the petiole.

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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