Frutescens

Frutescens is a Latin epithet used in botanical nomenclature to describe a plant with a shrub-like or shrubby habit. It is not the name of a genus or a standalone species, but rather a descriptive term that appears as the second part of a species’ scientific name (the epithet) in various plant genera. The word derives from Latin roots referring to shrubs or bushes and often signals a growth form rather than a particular geographic region or feature.

The best-known example of a species with this epithet is Capsicum frutescens, the tabasco pepper or finger pepper. This pepper belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), and its small, pungent fruits are used in cuisines and sauces around the world. Capsicum frutescens is typically a warm-climate plant that can be grown as an annual in temperate regions, and it is valued for its heat and distinctive flavor rather than size or ornament.

In botanical practice, frutescens appears in names across different plant groups, reflecting a descriptive approach to taxonomy. The epithet does not specify taxonomy beyond the plant’s growth habit, and its exact interpretation can vary between taxa. As with other Latin descriptors, frutescens is used to aid identification and comparison among related species, rather than to convey a single, universal characteristic.

See also: botanical Latin, binomial nomenclature.