Cabelluda

Cabelluda is a common name used in Spanish-language sources to describe organisms or objects characterized by hair-like coverings or fibrous textures. The term is non-scientific and its precise referent varies by region and field, but it is commonly applied to plants and animals whose surfaces are densely hairy or fuzzy.

From cabello or cabello, hair, with the feminine suffix -uda, the word is attested across Latin American Spanish dialects in rural and field-guide contexts.

In botany, cabelluda describes plant species with pubescent or villose foliage, stems, or inflorescences. These plants may display dense trichomes, giving them a soft or hairy appearance or tactile feel.

In zoology and entomology, the term is used for animals with conspicuous hair-like structures, such as tufted scales, bristles, or long setae. It can be applied to lizards, insects, and other invertebrates, depending on local naming conventions and guides.

Because cabelluda is a vernacular name rather than a scientific taxon, its reference is highly context-dependent. Precise identification requires scientific names or detailed descriptions.

See also: hair, pubescence, vernacular names in biology.