perforata

Perforata is a Latin adjective used in the scientific names of various organisms. In binomial nomenclature, perforata (feminine) and its gendered forms describe a feature that resembles holes or perforations, such as openings on a surface, a perforated pattern, or a porous appearance. The term is descriptive rather than taxonomic, and it is not a taxon by itself.

Because perforata is an epithet, it appears in many different genera and species across kingdoms. Each use refers to a distinct organism and is chosen by the describing author to reflect a characteristic noted in the species’ morphology or anatomy. As a result, there is no single group named “Perforata”; rather, the word appears in multiple, separate scientific names.

A well-known example is Crassula perforata, a succulent native to southern Africa commonly called string of buttons. Its paired, triangular leaves are arranged along a stem in a way that can evoke a perforated or hollowed look, which contributed to the name. In other taxa, perforata may refer to other perforations or pore-like features described in the original publication.

In practice, perforata is encountered mainly by readers studying taxonomy, horticulture, or biodiversity literature, where it functions as a descriptive epithet rather than a standalone taxonomic unit. See also: binomial nomenclature, Latin epithets in taxonomy, Crassula perforata.