Cordate describes a leaf shape that is broadly heart-shaped, with a distinct notch at the base where the petiole attaches and two rounded basal lobes on either side. The blade usually narrows toward a pointed or tapered tip, although the exact proportions can vary considerably among species.
Cordate leaves are common in many indoor and outdoor plants, including numerous Philodendron, Anthurium, and Cercis species. The term describes the overall outline of the leaf rather than its venation, texture, or growth habit. Cordate differs from sagittate and hastate leaves because its basal lobes are typically rounded rather than sharply pointed or directed backward or outward.
See Also
