Pyriforme

Pyriforme is a Latin-derived adjective used in biological nomenclature to indicate a pear-shaped form. It functions as a descriptive epithet in the scientific names of organisms and structures, rather than as a taxonomic unit itself. When used in a binomial name, pyriforme (or the related form pyriformis, depending on the gender of the genus) signals that a feature—such as a spore, seed, shell, organ, or the overall body shape—resembles a pear.

In taxonomy, pyriforme appears across diverse groups, including fungi, plants, and animals. It is part of the broader practice of assigning epithets that describe visible morphology, habits, or other notable characteristics. Because Latin adjectives must agree with the gender of the genus, the ending of the epithet can vary (for example, pyriforme in neuter genera and pyriformis in masculine or feminine genera), but the core meaning remains the same.

Etymology-wise, pyriforme traces to Latin roots meaning pear-shaped, derived from forms related to pirum (pear) and formis (shape). The term is synonymous with the English adjective pear-shaped and is used in scientific literature to convey a specific morphological impression succinctly.

See also: pear-shaped, pyriform, pyriformis.