spathulifolium
/spath-yoo-lih-FOH-lee-um/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: spathulifolius, spathulifolia
A leaf shape epithet describing foliage shaped like a spoon or spatula, narrow at the base and widening to a rounded, blunt tip. The form shows clearly in the fleshy rosette leaves of the stonecrops, where the epithet is most often met. Appears as spathulifolius (masculine), spathulifolia (feminine), or spathulifolium (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin spathula (spatula, small spoon) + folium (leaf), meaning "spoon-leaved."
Example
“Sedum spathulifolium (broadleaf stonecrop) forms tight rosettes of spoon-tipped leaves that make the epithet easy to recognise in the garden.”