glutinosum

Glutinosum is a Latin adjective used in biological nomenclature as a specific epithet. It is not a standalone taxon. The epithet derives from Latin glutinosus, meaning sticky or glutinous, with glutinosum representing the neuter form. In binomial names, glutinosum is attached to a neuter genus or to a gender-compatible form to describe a characteristic of the species rather than implying a broader taxonomic relationship.

The epithet occurs across diverse taxonomic groups, including plants, fungi, and animals, reflecting a descriptive trait rather than a phylogenetic grouping. Because it is descriptive, the same epithet can appear in unrelated lineages.

Commonly, glutinosum denotes a sticky or mucilaginous quality observed in the organism, such as a sticky seed coat, glandular secretions, resinous exudates, or adhesive surfaces that aid in dispersal, attachment, or defense. The precise biology varies with the species bearing the name.

Orthography and usage: glutinosum is the neuter form used with neuter genera; masculine and feminine forms are glutinosus and glutinosa, respectively, to agree with the gender of the genus. As with other epithets, its presence indicates a descriptive feature, not a taxonomic affiliation.