What Is a Peltate Leaf? Umbrella Shaped Leaves Explained
A peltate leaf is a leaf whose stalk joins the blade near its center rather than at the edge, so it looks like an umbrella. NC State Extension notes the mayapple name peltatum refers to its peltate, or shield shaped, leaves on an erect stem.
The short answer
A peltate leaf has its stalk joined to the underside of the blade near the middle, like an umbrella. NC State Extension notes mayapple has umbrella like peltate leaves, while nasturtium has parasol like leaves. In most leaves the stalk meets the blade at its base. Turn a leaf over to check.
How do you spot a peltate leaf?
Flip the leaf over. If the stalk joins the blade in the middle rather than at the edge, the leaf is peltate. NC State Extension calls the nasturtium leaf parasol like.
Which plants have peltate leaves?
NC State lists several garden plants with this leaf shape.
| Plant | Leaf note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mayapple | Umbrella like, shield shaped | NC State |
| Nasturtium | Parasol like | NC State |
| Hosta | Petiole sub peltate | NC State |
Why is the leaf called peltate?
NC State notes the mayapple name peltatum refers to the peltate, or shield shaped, leaves. A peltate leaf resembles a round shield held up by a central handle.
How to: step by step
- Take a leaf from the plant.
- Turn it over.
- Trace the stalk to where it meets the blade.
- Note whether it joins at the edge or the center.
- Look for veins that fan out from that point.
- Compare with a leaf from another plant.
Troubleshooting
Stalk joins at the edge: the leaf is not peltate.
Stalk joins just inside the edge: NC State calls this sub peltate, as on some hosta.
Round leaf with a notch: check stalk position first.
For more on leaves see cannabis leaf anatomy, companion plants when growing marijuana plus cannabis nodes and internodes. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Extension Gardener Handbook, chapter 3: botany, NC State Extension
FAQ
Are nasturtium leaves peltate?
Yes. NC State Extension describes nasturtium leaves as parasol like, with the stalk joined near the center of the round blade. Nasturtium is an annual. Climbing types can reach 10 feet, so the umbrella shaped leaves can cover a fence or trellis during summer.
Does a mayapple have peltate leaves?
Yes. NC State Extension notes the species name peltatum refers to the peltate, or shield shaped, leaves. Mayapple has one or two umbrella like leaves on an erect stem. Plants with a single leaf will not flower, while plants with two leaves bear one nodding white flower in the axil between them.
Are hosta leaves peltate?
Not fully. NC State Extension lists the hosta petiole as sub peltate, which means the stalk joins just inside the edge of the blade rather than at the center. Look closely at the base of a hosta leaf to see how far the stalk reaches into the blade.
Why do mayapples grow in colonies?
NC State Extension notes mayapple spreads by rhizomes to form colonies on the woodland floor. Each plant sends up one or two umbrella like leaves, so a colony looks like a field of small umbrellas in spring. NC State notes the plant is dormant in summer plus its foliage disappears.
What is the opposite of a peltate leaf?
In most leaves the stalk, or petiole, meets the blade at its base or edge. A peltate leaf has the stalk joined near the center instead. NC State Extension describes nasturtium plus mayapple leaves as umbrella shaped, so compare them with a maple leaf to see the difference.
