What is Obovate?
An obovate leaf is egg-shaped but upside down—widest above the middle, tapering gradually toward the base. Hold an egg fat-end up, and you have the obovate shape.
Identifying Obovate Leaves
Key Features
- Widest above middle: Maximum width in upper half
- Tapers to base: Narrows gradually toward petiole
- Broader apex: Tip region wider than base region
- Inverted egg: Egg shape flipped upside down
- Asymmetric taper: Base tapers more than apex
Quick Visual Test
The balance test:
- Find the widest point
- Above the middle? → Obovate
- Below the middle? → Ovate
- At the middle? → Elliptic or Oval
Costa Rican Examples
Marañón (Anacardium occidentale):
- Classic obovate leaves
- Widest well above middle
- 8-22 cm long
- Cashew tree
Almendro de playa (Terminalia catappa):
- Large obovate leaves
- 15-25 cm long
- Turns red before falling
- Beach almond
Some Cedro species (Cedrela spp.):
- Leaflets often obovate
- Compound leaves
- Important timber trees
Why Obovate?
Functional advantages:
- Shades petiole attachment
- Protects bud in leaf axil
- Strong structural support
- Good water distribution
Similar Shapes Comparison
Obovate: Widest above middle (inverted egg) Ovate: Widest below middle (egg shape) Elliptic: Widest at middle (football shape) Spatulate: Spoon-shaped (extreme obovate)
Why It Matters
Understanding obovate helps with:
- Species identification
- Recognizing similar trees
- Accurate botanical descriptions
- Field guide comprehension