sativus

Sativus is a Latin adjective meaning cultivated or sown. In biological nomenclature, it is commonly used as an epithet in the scientific names of cultivated plant species to indicate domestication or cultivation by humans. The epithet has gendered forms: sativus (masculine), sativa (feminine), and sativum (neuter), chosen to agree with the genus name.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin roots related to sowing or planting, reflecting a cultivated or human-managed status rather than a truly wild lineage.

Examples: Commonly cited examples include Cucumis sativus (the cucumber), Lactuca sativa (cultivated lettuce), and Daucus carota subsp. sativus (the cultivated carrot). Cannabis sativa is another widely known use, illustrating the feminine form of the epithet. The sativus epithet appears across many genera to mark domesticated or agriculturally important forms.

Usage notes: The epithet signals historical or ongoing human cultivation and is not a taxonomic rank. It helps distinguish cultivated varieties or subspecies from their wild relatives, which may bear epithets such as silvestris or spontaneus in other contexts. Because Latin gender agrees with the genus, the exact form of the epithet varies (sativus, sativa, or sativum) to fit the genus name.

In summary, sativus functions as a descriptive marker in botanical nomenclature that highlights cultivation and domestication within cultivated plants and their relatives. It underscores the role of human selection in shaping many crop species.