Digitata

Digitata is a descriptive term used in biology to denote finger-like or digit-like features. The word comes from Latin digitus, meaning finger, with the suffix -ata forming adjectives or epithets. It serves as a morphological descriptor rather than a formal taxonomic rank.

In botanical and zoological nomenclature, digitata commonly appears as an epithet in species names to highlight finger-like lobes, projections, or leaf segments. Its use is descriptive, signaling morphology rather than indicating a unified evolutionary group. Consequently, digitata does not define a standalone taxon or clade in modern taxonomy.

Historically, some classifications or descriptive writings referenced a group or concept described as Digitata based on shared digitiform or finger-like traits. However, this usage is not widely recognized as a formal, well-defined clade in current taxonomic practice, and it lacks standard, consistent circumscription across disciplines.

The term is often encountered in combination with related descriptors such as digitiform, which similarly indicates finger-like shape. When seen in scientific literature, digitata signals morphological similarity to digits rather than a specific evolutionary lineage, reflecting descriptive rather than systematic value.