Powellii

Powellii is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to honor individuals with the surname Powell. In botanical and zoological nomenclature, the epithet follows the genus name and is not capitalized.

The epithet powellii is formed as a genitive of Powell, indicating "of Powell." It is commonly used for male honorees, with powelliae available for a female honoree, depending on the rules of the relevant nomenclature code. This practice of deriving epithets from personal names is widespread across taxonomic groups and serves to recognize contributions by collectors, researchers, or benefactors.

There are many distinct species that incorporate powellii in their binomial names across plants, animals, and other organisms; the epithet alone does not identify a single taxon. To determine a specific species, the full binomial name (genus and powellii) must be known. The use of powellii reflects homage to a person named Powell who contributed to the discovery, collection, or study of the organism in question, though the exact individual honored can vary by case.

See also: Powell (surname) for background on the name itself, and general discussions of species epithets in taxonomic nomenclature. Powellii represents one of many eponymous formations used to acknowledge contributors in the biological sciences.