A Textural Little Bit of Latin

Aloe ferox – cape aloe (very thorny)

In continuing with our look at Latin used in botanical names (click here for our previous post), here are some words that are used to describe texture:

anthocomus, schidigera, spinosus—spiny

acicularis—needle-like

aculeatus, echinatus, horridus, hystrix—prickly

anacanthus—lacking prickles or thorns

arachnoides—cobwebby

armatus—thorny

aspericaulis/asperifolius—rough-stemmed/rough-leaved

barbatus—barbed or bearded

cartilaginous—cartilage-like in texture

cerefolius/ceraceus—waxy-leaved

copallinus, gummosus, resinosus, viscosus—sticky – gummy – resinous

durus—hard

eriophorous, lanigera, lanatus, tomentosus—wooly

Anthriscus cerefolium – chervil

exudans—producing sticky secretions

ferox—ferociously thorny

fulgens—shining

furfuraceus—scurfy – flaking – scaly

glaber, laevigatus, laevis—smooth, polished

hebephyllus—with downy leaves

hirsutus, hirtus/hirsutissimus—hairy / very hairy

mucosus—slimy

papyraceous—papery

pustulatus—covered in blisters or pimples

rugosus—wrinkled

scaber/scaberrimus—rough/very rough

succulentus—fleshy

undulatus—wavy

Penstemon barbatus – beardtongue

Here are a few plant names in which some of these words are used:

Acanthus spinosus – spiny bear’s breeches

Glycyrrhiza glabra – licorice

Penstemon barbatus – beardtongue

Rosa rugosa – rugosa or “wrinkle-leaved” rose