citratus

Citratus is a Latin adjective used in botanical and biological nomenclature as a descriptive epithet in the scientific names of plants and, occasionally, other organisms. The term signals a citrus-related quality, most often a lemon-like scent or aroma, or a citrus-like appearance.

Etymology and forms derive from the Latin citrus (lemon) with the participial suffix -atus. In Latin, adjectives must agree in gender with the genus name, so citratus (masculine), citrata (feminine), or citratum (neuter) may appear depending on the genus.

Usage in taxonomy is descriptive rather than taxon-defining. The epithet does not indicate a single lineage but rather notes a perceived characteristic that a given species shares with others described as citrus-scented or citrus-like. The choice of epithet follows the broader nomenclatural rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), including gender agreement and avoidance of duplicating names.

Notable considerations include that citratus can appear across diverse plant groups, particularly in species with aromatic leaves, flowers, or essential oils reminiscent of citrus. Because it is an adjective rather than a formal taxon, many unrelated species in different genera may receive the epithet if they exhibit the described trait. The term is primarily encountered in botanical contexts and is less common in zoological nomenclature, where similar Latin descriptors may also occur under different grammatical forms.