apiculata

Apiculata is a Latin adjectival form used in biological nomenclature as a species epithet or descriptive term, meaning “bearing a small beak or point.” It is derived from apiculus, a term for a tiny, pointed projection. The epithet is gender-concordant, appearing as apiculata with feminine or neuter genus names, while related forms such as apiculatus or apiculatum align with masculine or neuter nouns respectively.

In botanical usage, apiculata is commonly applied to leaves, sepals, or petals that terminate in a small, sharp projection called an apiculus. It can also describe seeds or fruits that exhibit a tiny beak-like tip. In zoological and paleontological contexts, the term denotes a similar apical projection on shells, appendages, or other structures.

The epithet is descriptive rather than a stand-alone taxonomic diagnostic; a species bearing the name apiculata may belong to widely different families and lineages. Taxonomists rely on comprehensive morphological descriptions, measurements, and reference to type specimens to differentiate taxa that share this epithet. Related terms include apiculus (the small projection itself), apiculate (having a short point), and acuminate (tapering to a longer point).