Peltate: Having a centrally attached stalk or petiole like an umbrella.*
The leaf stalk of mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) is attached in the middle of the leaf, rather than at the leaf margin. Some other plants with peltate leaves are water lotus (Nelumbo) and nasturtium (Tropaeolum).
*Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary: 1300 terms explained and illustrated. Portland: Timber Press.
Hydrophobic: Tending to repel, or not to absorb, water.* Impatiens capensis, commonly known as jewelweed or touch-me-not, has hydrophobic leaves. Water drops bead on the surface after…
Secund: Arranged on one side of the axis only.* The individuals flowers of goldenrod grow along the top side of the stems. *Harris, J.G., Harris,…
Vernation: The pattern of folding and rolling of leaves in a bud.* Different plants use different folding patterns to pack their leaves into the bud. These beech…
Ternate: Divided in three; e.g., trifoliate leaf.* Shamrocks, or clovers, have ternate leaves. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! *Pell, S.K., Angell, B. (2016). A botanist’s vocabulary:…