peltata

Peltata is a Latin feminine adjective used in botanical nomenclature to describe shield-shaped structures. The term derives from the Latin "pelta," meaning shield. In botany, peltate describes a leaf (or occasionally another organ) whose stalk attaches to the underside near the center of the blade, rather than at the edge. Leaves with this arrangement are called peltate leaves and are often circular or rounded in shape.

In taxonomy, peltata is the feminine form of the adjective; the masculine form is peltatus and the neuter form peltatum. The epithet is used in species names to indicate shield-shaped features, reflecting the morphology of the plant part described, though the exact gender agreement depends on the genus name.

Peltate leaves occur in a variety of plant groups, with notable examples in aquatic and marsh taxa. Hydrocotyle and Nelumbo are among the genera commonly cited for having peltate leaves, and the characteristic is a key identifying feature in botanical descriptions of these plants. The presence of peltate leaves can influence leaf orientation, buoyancy, and light capture, contributing to the ecological strategies of the species that bear them.

Beyond leaves, the term peltata may appear in descriptive phrases within floras or taxonomic keys to denote shield-shaped features in other plant organs, always aligning with Latin gender rules for adjectives. In usage, peltata serves as a precise morphological descriptor within scientific terminology.