pratense

Pratense is a Latin adjective used in scientific naming to mean “of a meadow” or “meadow-dwelling.” It is derived from pratum, the Latin word for meadow. In biological nomenclature, pratense (and related forms such as pratensis) is commonly employed as a species epithet to indicate that a species is associated with meadow habitats or is particularly common there. The ending of the epithet varies to agree with the gender and declension of the genus name.

In practice, pratense and its variants appear across plant and, less commonly, animal names. The form chosen depends on the genus; for neuter or certain genera, pratense may be used, while prudential forms like pratensis appear with other genera. The epithet does not correspond to a taxon on its own but rather provides habitat information about the species.

Examples include Trifolium pratense, the red clover, which is native to meadows and open habitats in Europe and western Asia, and Festuca pratensis, the meadow fescue, a turf and pasture grass native to Europe. Poa pratensis, known as Kentucky bluegrass, also carries a meadow-related epithet, though its name uses pratensis in that genus.

Etymologically, pratense reflects the traditional Latin practice of linking species to characteristic habitats or ecological niches. Today, pratense and pratensis remain common in botanical and zoological nomenclature as indicators of meadow association.