lanceolatus

Lanceolatus is a Latin adjective used in biological nomenclature to indicate a lance-shaped form. In botany the masculine form lanceolatus, the feminine lanceolata, and the neuter lanceolatum appear as epithets or varietal names and are commonly used to signal a lanceolate leaf or other lance-shaped structure.

In morphological terms, lanceolate describes leaves that are longer than wide, widest below the middle, and tapering to a pointed tip. The length-to-width ratio and the overall outline can vary, but the defining characteristic is a slender, spear-like shape.

The epithet is widely used across plant genera and may also appear in descriptions of flowers, bracts, or other organs that have a lance-like form. It is not tied to any particular lineage and does not indicate habitat or function beyond shape in most usages.

Etymology: from Latin lancea (lance) with the suffix -atus, and matching gender with the genus (lanceolatus for masculine, lanceolata for feminine, lanceolatum for neuter).

See also: lanceolate; lanceolate leaf; taxonomic epithet; Latin in botanical nomenclature.