Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Physical Attributes Facet
3. Design Elements (hierarchy name)
4. design elements (attributes)
5. motifs
6. plant-derived motifs

Anotations

Scope note:

Motif particularly associated with a style of Romanesque and Early Gothic capital that is formed of broad, smooth leaf-shapes (typically four in number), unribbed except for a central fold, which curve upward and outward before curling over at the tips where they meet the square or octagonal abacus. The curled tip of the waterleaf may be small and neat or large and bulbous; it usually curves inward towards the abacus, but may occasionally turn outwards. Developed as a fanciful interpretation of the Corinthian order; the names refer to various types of leaves that the motif was thought to resemble: waterleaf plant, lily leaf, and hart's tongue fern.