type of compound leaf with veins or leaflets radiating in a fanlike pattern (contrast with bipinnate and pi11nate).
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
palmate (adjective) resembling a hand with the fingers spread as
a) having lobes radiating from a common point - a palmate leaf see leaf illustration
b) having the distal portion broad, flat, and lobed - a palmate antler
palmate (Wikipedia)
The following is a defined list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular or irregular, may be smooth or bearing hair, bristles or spines. For more terms describing other aspects of leaves besides their overall morphology see the leaf article.
