cruentus

Cruentus is a Latin adjective meaning blood-red or blood-stained. In biological nomenclature, cruentus is used as a descriptive epithet in species names to indicate reddish coloration or a striking red feature on the organism. The feminine and neuter forms cruenta and cruentum occur to agree with genus gender.

The epithet is common across plant and animal taxa, though it is most frequently encountered in botanical names. A widely known example is Gladiolus cruentus, the blood gladiolus, a flowering plant native to southern Africa that has been cultivated for ornamental blooms in red, pink, and related tones. As with many taxonomic descriptors, the presence of cruentus in a name describes a perceived coloration rather than a fixed trait applicable to all individuals or varieties within the species.

In taxonomic practice, epithets like cruentus are Latinized adjectives chosen by the describing author. They do not convey information about rank beyond the genus-species combination and may vary in spelling to agree with gender (cruentus, cruenta, cruentum) depending on the genus. The use of cruentus thus reflects a historical convention of describing notable color features rather than a universal diagnostic criterion.