ornatum

Ornatum is not a standalone taxon but a Latin epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to signal an ornamental or decorative character. In binomial nomenclature, ornatum functions as the specific epithet and is attached to a genus name to form a species name. It is the neuter singular form of the adjective ornatus, meaning ornamented or decorated, and it agrees in gender with the genus.

In practice, ornatum appears across multiple biological groups, including plants, fungi, and animals. The epithet is typically applied to species described as having conspicuous or attractive features—such as striking flowers, patterned leaves, or notable body markings. The use of ornatum reflects descriptive naming traditions common in historical and contemporary taxonomic works, and it remains valid under the relevant nomenclatural codes (for animals, the ICZN; for plants, the ICN).

Because the epithet is tied to the genus rather than to a single lineage, many unrelated species in different genera may bear the name ornatum. Each occurrence denotes a separate species description rather than indicating any close evolutionary relationship among those species. As with other Latin epithets, ornatum may appear in older literature alongside more modern names, and its usage can vary by taxonomic revision.

See also: ornatus, ornata, ornamentum.