humilis

Humilis is a Latin adjective that is widely used as a specific epithet in biological nomenclature. In taxonomy, the name humilis is chosen by the describer to signal a particular characteristic of the species, most commonly a small size, a low-growing habit, or a habitat close to the ground. Because it is a descriptive epithet, it can be found across a broad range of taxa, including plants, fungi, and animals, in many different genera and families.

Etymology and linguistic note: Humilis comes from Latin and means “ground,” “low,” or “humble.” In Latin grammar, the form of the epithet agrees with the gender of the genus it accompanies. Humilis is used for masculine and feminine genera, while neuter genera typically take humile.

Usage and interpretation: In plants, humilis frequently indicates a dwarf or creeping form, a plant that remains close to the soil. In animals and fungi, it similarly suggests small stature or a ground-hugging, low-position lifestyle. Because the epithet is descriptive rather than geographic or cultural, its meaning is inferred from the context of the species and its relatives.

Limitations: The epithet humilis is not a taxonomic rank or a stand-alone identifier. It exists within the binomial (or trinomial) name to convey a trait observed by the author describing the species. As a result, many unrelated lineages may share the epithet without implying any close relationship.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature, specific epithet, taxonomy.