parkii

Parkii is a Latinized specific epithet used in biological nomenclature to honor a person with the surname Park or Parke. It is not a standalone name but rather the second part of a species or subspecies binomial, written in lowercase and placed after the genus name (for example, Genus parkii). The epithet parkii typically indicates “of Park.”

The form parkii is usually created by attaching the suffix -ii to a surname, signaling homage to the honoree. In cases where a woman is honored, different endings such as -iae or -ae may be used under the rules of Latin grammar, depending on the code and context. In practice, the masculine -ii form is common when the honoree is male, while other endings are chosen to match grammatical gender.

Parkii is encountered across diverse groups, including plants, animals, and fungi, reflecting a long-standing tradition of naming species to acknowledge researchers, collectors, patrons, or notable figures associated with a discovery or description. The specific individual honored by the epithet cannot be determined from the epithet alone; the original species description and accompanying citation must be consulted for clarification.

The use of epithets like parkii is governed by formal nomenclatural codes. In zoology, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature applies, while plants and fungi follow the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. These codes regulate factors such as gender agreement, publication requirements, and the proper citation of the authority and date for the name.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature, taxonomic nomenclature, species epithet.