Hello,
I want to know which word I should use to describe tree leaves that look reflective, I know all leaves techncially reflect light to do photosynthesis but I am talking about specific leaves that almost look like they are coated in a reflective material.
I had this question when trying to identify this observation. It is identified as moringa but I’ve never seen moringa leaves that look like that.
Like waxy leaves? We have a lot of species with those here.
Lustrous, glossy, or nitid?
Yes this seems to be what I am looking for, I couldn’t find it on the Wikipedia Leaf Page, thanks.
@jnstuart these are also good, thanks.
I am at an advantage as we have banana trees in our back garden. For those that do not, next time at the market, touch the leaves and you can feel the wax!
(Banana leaves are at the less shiny end of all the species here but likely available to most to feel the wax.)
Glossy is preferable to waxy.
Most waxy plants have quite dull leaves (eg waxy wattle) because the wax cracks to form a powdery surface. Only the very young growth is actually shiny, and often not even then, In contrast, glossy specifically means that it reflects light coherently. ie it is shiny.
Just as importantly, most glossy leaved plants are not in fact waxy - you can’t scrape the shiny material off the surface of the leaves, the smooth surfcate is an inherent part of the cuticle structure.
Huh. I think of waxy as being shiny (like waxed) whereas you think of it as powdery. It may be an experiential difference.
I would describe F. maxima leaves as waxy in appearance, for example. While the younger leaves are brighter and shinier, all the leaves are waxy to me.
Because of this, you are likely right that glossy is a better term, understood more universally.
Thing is that waxed stuff isn’t usually glossy. Waxed paper isn’t glossy, a waxed surfboard isn’t glossy, waxed dental floss isn’t glossy, waxed canvas isn’t glossy, a waxed moustache isn’t glossy. Heck, even a wax candle or bees wax aren’t actually usually glossy.
That’s kinda the point. Wax in the natural world cracks and become dull almost as soon as it dries. So a waxy wattle has a far thicker coat of wax than most other plants, but is powder blue precisely cecause of that. It’s really only unnatural waxes like turtle wax that impart a glossy surface to an object that has been waxed. Most waxed objects are dull.
Again, your experience must differ from mine. I think of waxes as filling in small textures and rendering things smooth, thus creating shine. (I think we needn’t discuss this further though.)
“Shiny” “glossy” or “lustrous” all work.
I would tend to use “shiny” because I think it’s the most widely understood term, and don’t want to talk above anyone’s head about “lustrous” leaves, when I could have just said “shiny.”