nucifera

Nucifera is a Latin adjectival species epithet meaning “nut-bearing” that occurs in the scientific names of multiple organisms. It is not a taxon by itself but a descriptive element used within binomial nomenclature to indicate a characteristic of a species.

One of the most widely known examples is Cocos nucifera, the coconut palm. This species, native to tropical coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific, is cultivated globally for coconuts, palm oil, fiber, and other products, and it plays a major economic and cultural role in many regions.

Beyond Cocos nucifera, the epithet nucifera appears in other genera as well, typically applied to species with nut- or seed-bearing fruits. The exact taxonomic placement and ecology of these species vary, and they are not collectively grouped under a single taxon called nucifera.

Etymology: nucifera derives from Latin nucis (nut) and ferre (to bear), yielding the meaning “nut-bearing.” The form is commonly used in feminine/genus agreement within binomial names.

See also: nuciferous, nut-bearing.