fusiform |
= spindle-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Elongate, transversely round, broadest at the middle and regularly attenuate to either end. |
ellipsoid(al) |
|
solid shape |
|
Elliptic in any median longitudinal section; elongate, transversely circular, broadest at the middle, and symmetrically convex-attenuate to rounded ends. See also oblong. |
mound-shaped |
= cushion-shaped, pulvinate, pulviniform |
solid shape |
|
Essentially round in transverse section, much broader than long or high, with a convex distal face that intersects either a more or less plane proximal face or, when the structure is sessile, its bearing surface. |
liguliform |
= lorate, strap-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Elongate and relatively thin with the opposite faces more or less plane and moderately narrow, their edges more or less straight and parallel over most of their length; resembling a strap. |
deltoid |
< three-angled, trigonous, triquetrous |
solid shape |
|
Three-angular (trigonous, triquetrous), broadest at the base, and regularly attenuate to an angular apex; equilaterally pyramidal with three lateral faces. See also obdeltoid. |
dissected |
? cleft, divided, lobate, lobed, parted, partite, segmented |
solid shape |
|
Having two or more component sectors or peripheral protrusions that are delimited by concavities in the surface or margin and that are not proximally distinct from the remainder of the whole. The meanings of this term and its approximate synonyms sometimes have been supposed to differ according to the depth of the delimiting concavities relative to the midline or midpoint of the overall structure, and/or to the shape or proportions of the protusions or sectors; however, there has been little consistency in the applications of the various terms according to such distinctions, which are ones only of degree and are necessarily arbitrary in any case. In general usage, these terms differ only indistinctly and connotatively: cleft, lobed (or lobate), parted (or partite) and segmented tend to connote fewer protrusions or sectors; lobate usually connotes as well a generally rounded shape; dissected tends to connote more numerous sectors that are elongate and angular. See also cut (incised, lacerate, torn), laciniate (slashed). |
cyathiform |
|
solid shape |
perianth, calyx, corolla, pappus |
Having a cupulate tube and an indistinct, erect limb. See also cotyliform, urceolate (urn-shaped). |
laminar 2 |
|
solid shape |
|
Relatively very thin with parallel opposite broad faces, the whole plane or variously curved. Structures to which this term, along with any other three-dimensional ones, is applicable are often also described as though only two-dimensional, using terms that are implicitly understood to refer only to the outline of the broad faces. |
broom-shaped |
= muscariform, penicillate |
solid shape |
|
Having a proximal axis that bears a distal cluster of elongate slender branches or appendages, these variously ascending to erect; like a broom. |
kidney-shaped 2 |
= reniform |
solid shape |
|
Thickly elongate and arcuate, circular or compressed-circular in transverse section, each end bluntly rounded; like the generalized shape of a human kidney. |
fan-shaped |
= flabellate, flabelliform |
solid shape |
|
Strongly compressed, broadest near the apex and attenuate to a narrow base, plaited longitudinally, the alternating folds radiating from the base, the whole basically triangular in broad aspect; like a partially expanded folding fan. |
grumous |
|
solid shape |
|
Having an external aspect like a cluster of grains, basically convex overall. |
parted |
? cleft, dissected, divided, lobate, lobed, partite, segmented |
solid shape |
|
Having two or more component sectors or peripheral protrusions that are delimited by concavities in the surface or margin and that are not proximally distinct from the remainder of the whole. The meanings of this term and its approximate synonyms sometimes have been supposed to differ according to the depth of the delimiting concavities relative to the midline or midpoint of the overall structure, and/or to the shape or proportions of the protrusions or sectors; however, there has been little consistency in the applications of the various terms according to such distinctions, which are ones only of degree and are necessarily arbitrary in any case. In general usage, these terms differ only indistinctly and connotatively: cleft, lobed (or lobate), parted (or partite) and segmented tend to connote fewer protrusions or sectors; lobate usually connotes as well a generally rounded shape; dissected tends to connote more numerous sectors that are elongate and angular. See also cut (incised, lacerate, torn), laciniate (slashed). |
sword-shaped 2 |
= ensiform |
solid shape |
|
Elongate and moderately slender, strongly compressed, the opposite faces plane, parallel, broadest at the base and gradually attenuate to a short, more strongly attenuate, acute apex; like a broadsword blade. |
stellate 3 |
= star-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Having a distal aspect like the stylized shape of a star; stipitate or sessile with elongate branches or appendages radiating widely in three dimensions from a common point at the apex of the proximal axis or, when sessile, upon the bearing surface. |
reniform 2 |
= kidney-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Thickly elongate and arcuate, circular or compressed-circular in transverse section, each end bluntly rounded; like the generalized shape of a human kidney. |
buckler-shaped |
= scutate, scutiform |
solid shape |
|
Relatively thin with opposite broad oblong faces, planate to shallowly concave-convex, sometimes thickened about the periphery such that each face has a marginal rim; like an oblong shield. See also platter-shaped (scutellate, scutelliform), which is not clearly distinct in its application. |
sausage-shaped |
= botuliform |
solid shape |
|
Arcuately cylindric with rounded ends. |
filiform |
= thread-like |
solid shape |
|
Elongate and very slender, basically round in transverse section and of more or less uniform diameter, variously curved over its length or not. See also capillary (capillate, hair-like). |
lorate |
= liguliform, strap-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Elongate and relatively thin with the opposite faces more or less plane and moderately narrow, their edges more or less straight and parallel over most of their length; resembling a strap. |
setaceous |
= bristle-shaped, setiform |
solid shape |
|
Elongate, slender, terete, straight, terminating in a fine point, and apparently stiff; like a bristle. |
cross-shaped 2 |
= cruciate |
solid shape |
|
Having two elongate, basically straight portions intersecting at a point interior to the ends of each. |
boat-shaped |
= cymbiform, navicular |
solid shape |
|
Like the generalized form of a boat hull, the walls relatively thin to moderately thick, the interior essentially empty and open along one side. |
cochleate |
= snail-shell-shaped |
solid shape |
|
Relatively broad and short, basically round in transverse section, resembling a rapidly tapering spire overall, the exterior helically convoluted; like a snail shell. |
…parted |
? …cleft, …fid, …lobate, …lobed, …partite, …segmented |
solid shape |
|
Having the number of lobes, divisions or segments indicated by the prefix; as in five-parted. |