Obovate
Leaf trait
Definition: Broader below rather than below the middle. The shape of an inverted egg.
How it applies to plumeria: Obovate can describe the leaf blade, tip, surface, texture, petiole, or general foliage appearance of a plumeria. Leaf traits are helpful because flowers change with weather and age, while mature leaves often provide steadier comparison clues.
What to look for: Look at healthy mature leaves from the middle of a branch. Compare shape, width, tip, surface texture, color, petiole length and color, and whether the trait appears consistently on the plant.
Identification note: This term is one clue. A plumeria should be compared using all available traits, photos, source history, and growing context rather than a single characteristic.
- Plumeria – Frangipani Characteristics
- Glossary: Pandurate LeafPandurate Leaf: Pandurate (of leaf shape) having rounded ends and a contracted center. Fiddle-shaped; obovate with a pair of well developed basil lobes. Plumeria context is explained on the term page.
- Dwarf Singapore Pink Cultivar Record
- Gina Cultivar Record
- Sondra B Cultivar Record