cordate

Cordate is a botanical term used to describe a leaf or other plant structure with a heart-shaped outline. The shape is defined by a notch at the base that forms two rounded basal lobes, from which the petiole attaches in the sinus between them. The apex may be pointed or rounded, and the overall outline can be symmetric or slightly asymmetrical. Cordate leaves are a common feature in plant descriptions and aid in identification.

Etymology and related terms: The word derives from Latin cordatus, meaning heart-shaped, from cor, cordis, meaning heart. Related terms describe variations of the heart form, such as obcordate (an inverted heart with the notch at the opposite end) and reniform (kidney-shaped). Cordate is contrasted with shapes like peltate, where the stalk attaches away from the base, and with non-heart-shaped profiles.

Usage: Cordate is used in botany and horticulture to describe leaves, bracts, petals, and other organs that resemble a heart shape. It appears in field guides, taxonomic descriptions, and morphological notes. The term denotes a general habit rather than a precise measurement, and there can be variation in the depth of the basal notch and the size of the lobes.

Overview: Cordate outlines are observed across many flowering plants and can assist in species recognition when used alongside other characteristics. It is one of several historical shape descriptors that help convey leaf and organ morphology in a concise, standardized way.