In botany, describing leaves that have a stem-clasping base and are shaped like a heart or spade at the tip.
From Latin 'amplexus' (embracing) + 'caudata' (having a tail). A highly specialized botanical term combining two Latin descriptors of leaf morphology.
Amplexicaudate leaves are like nature's paperclips—they literally grip the stem to prevent sliding down in rain or wind. This adaptation is especially useful for climbing plants trying to stay attached to their supports.
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