Palmatus
/pal-MAH-tus/🏷️ Taxonomy● Basic
Also known as: palmata, palmatum
A leaf structure epithet describing a leaf whose lobes or leaflets all radiate from a single central point — like the fingers of an outstretched hand. Palmate leaves may be simply lobed (palmately lobed) or fully divided into separate leaflets (palmately compound). Appears as palmatus (masculine), palmata (feminine), or palmatum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin palmatus, meaning "shaped like a palm" or "hand-like," from palma (palm of the hand).
Example
“Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) — whose deeply palmate leaves are its defining visual feature — and Fatsia japonica with its bold palmate lobes are the two most celebrated examples of this instantly recognisable leaf form.”