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Peltatus

/pel-TAH-tus/
🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced

Also known as: peltata, peltatum

A morphological epithet describing a peltate leaf — the petiole attaches to a central point on the undersurface rather than the base edge, like a shield held from behind. Appears as peltatus (masculine), peltata (feminine), or peltatum (neuter).

Etymology

From Latin peltatus, meaning "armed with a pelta" (a light shield), from pelta, from Greek pelte.

Example

Tropaeolum (nasturtium) and Podophyllum peltatum (May apple) both have the circular peltate leaves held from a central point — the distinctive umbrella-like silhouette the epithet describes.