Northern Ontario Plant Database

Leaf Bases

• Attenuate - a tapering base with concave margins that form an angle less than (<) 45 degrees.
• Narrowly cuneate - a narrow base with straight or convex margins that form an angle less than (<) 45 degrees.
• Truncate - a broad straight base, abruptly ending at right angles to the midvein.
• Oblique - an asymmetrical base with unequal size lobes, attached to the midvein at different levels.

• Cuneate - a wedge-shaped base with margins that form an angle less than (<) 90 degrees, but greater than (>) 45 degrees.
• Obtuse - a blunt base with margins that form an angle greater than (>) 90 degrees.
• Rounded - a curved base with margins that form a smooth arc.
• Cordate - a base with prominent, rounded lobes, cut ½ to ¼ of the distance to the centre of the leaf blade.

• Auriculate - a base with small rounded (ear-like) lobes.
• Hastate - a base with pointed lobes directed outwards.
• Sagittate - a base with pointed lobes directed downwards.
• Divergent - a base with short, straight-sided lobes directed outward.