rufescens

Rufescens is a Latin adjectival species epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to denote reddish or reddish-brown coloration. In taxonomy, it is a descriptive term rather than a reflection of any shared lineage, so species in different genera or even different kingdoms may bear this epithet independently.

The epithet rufescens can describe a range of reddish traits, such as the color of a plant’s foliage, a fungal cap, or the plumage or integument of an animal. Because it is a descriptive attribute, its appearance is the primary basis for the name rather than any indication of relatedness between the organisms.

One well-known example is Agaricus subrufescens, a species of edible mushroom cultivated around the world for food and noted for its medicinal properties in some traditions. In various classifications, this species is also referenced by synonymous names such as Agaricus blazei or Agaricus brasiliensis, reflecting taxonomic revisions rather than differences in a color trait.

As with many Latin epithets, the use of rufescens across unrelated taxa means that the same term can appear in diverse groups of organisms. Current accepted names may vary between sources, and the epithet should be interpreted in the context of the full genus and species name.