barbatum

Barbatum is not a single taxon but a Latin descriptive epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to indicate a bearded or bearded-like characteristic. The term derives from the Latin barba, meaning beard, and the suffix -atum, yielding barbatum as the neuter singular form of the adjective. In botanical and zoological nomenclature, the epithet barbatum may appear in species names across different genera, describing a feature that reminded the describer of a beard or hair-like covering.

Etymology and grammar: Barbatum is the neuter form of the adjective barbatus as used in Latin. In species names, the ending must agree with the gender of the genus, so barbatum is typically found with neuter genus names, while barbatus (masculine) or barbata (feminine) may occur with other genera. This reflects standard rules of binomial nomenclature governed by the relevant codes of nomenclature.

Usage in taxonomy: Barbatum serves as a descriptive epithet rather than a taxonomic rank. It signals a bearded or hairy attribute observed by the taxonomist at the time of naming, which may refer to surface covering, facial markings, indumentum, or other hair-like structures. Because it is descriptive, barbatum can appear in many different groups, including plants, animals, and fungi, whenever a bearded character is noted in the species description.

See also: Latin and taxonomic naming conventions; binomial nomenclature; descriptive epithets.