scoparium

Scoparium is a Latin descriptive epithet used in the scientific names of some organisms, particularly plants, to indicate a broom-like appearance or association with broom plants. It is not itself a standalone taxon.

Etymology: Derived from Latin scopa, meaning broom, with the adjectival ending -arium. In botanical Latin, adjectives agree with the gender of the genus: scoparium (neuter), scoparius (masculine), scoparia (feminine).

Usage: In species names, scoparium is encountered as part of binomials where the genus is neuter in gender, or, more often, the epithet forms variably with gender across species that share a common descriptive sense. It describes habit (broom-like shrub or inflorescence) or habitat near broom plants.

Related forms and context: The related epithet scoparius is more common in well-known examples (for instance Cytisus scoparius, Scotch broom). The feminine scoparia and neuter scoparium appear in other taxa, reflecting descriptive morphology rather than an independent taxon.

See also: broom; Latin adjectives in botanical nomenclature.