palmatus

Palmatus is a Latin adjective used in scientific names to denote palm-like or hand-shaped characteristics. It derives from palma, meaning the palm of the hand or a palm leaf, with the suffix -atus indicating possession or a characteristic. In taxonomy, palmatus appears as a species epithet or subspecies epithet across a range of organisms and is most often applied in botany and zoology.

In botanical contexts, palmatus commonly describes leaves that are palmately lobed or palmately compound, or other features that resemble a palm. In zoological and paleontological usage, the epithet may refer to palmate features such as limb or digit morphology, webbing, or other structures that resemble a palm or palmary arrangement. The exact interpretation depends on the organism and the author describing its morphology.

Palmatus is one of several Latin descriptors used in binomial nomenclature; it is culturally and historically tied to the tradition of Latin as the universal language of scientific naming. It is distinct from the English adjective palmately or palmate, though related in meaning. In modern practice, the usage of palmatus follows the relevant nomenclatural codes: the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) for plant names, and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animal names.

See also: palmate, palmately, palmatifid.