Obovate

Obovate describes a leaf or other flattened structure that is inversely egg-shaped, with the broader end positioned at the apex or tip and the narrower end at the base where it attaches. The term is a compound of the Latin prefix "ob-" meaning "inverted" or "reversed" and the word "ovate" meaning egg-shaped. It is a specific type of ovate shape, crucial in botanical descriptions to differentiate plant features. The ratio of the length to the width is a key characteristic. This shape implies a widening toward the tip and a narrowing toward the stem, creating a distinctive silhouette often observed in certain leaf forms, fruits or flower petals.

Obovate meaning with examples

• The illustrated guide highlighted the obovate leaves of the willow tree. Each leaf showed a broader top, subtly narrowing toward the base. Its shape was important for identifying the species. The illustration also showed the leaf's venation to aid in accurate identification, making it easier to classify.
• The botanical illustration carefully detailed the obovate petals of the orchid. The flower's distinct form included a noticeably broader top and a tapered base where it joined the flower's central structure. Identifying the flower depended upon recognizing this shape among other petal shapes, such as oblong or lanceolate.
• The description mentioned that the fruit displayed an obovate outline. The shape, with its broader end at the blossom end and a pointed base, was a key characteristic. Other fruits might be a similar size, but this unique structure, with a distinctive tapering, made this a defining feature.
• The artist skillfully captured the obovate outline of the leaf in the watercolor painting. The effect of light on the curved surface, the shading to emphasize the inverse egg-shape, and the detail showed the obovate form and its subtle, yet distinct, characteristics.