spicatus

Spicatus is a Latin adjective used in biological nomenclature to indicate a spike-like or spiked feature. The root spica means a spike or ear of grain, and the term appears in several gendered forms depending on the genus name: spicatus (masculine), spicata (feminine), and spicatum (neuter).

In taxonomy, spicatus functions as an epithet rather than a standalone taxon. It is found across a range of organisms, including plants, fungi, and animals, where it usually denotes a morphological characteristic such as a spicate inflorescence, a spiny projection, or the presence of spicules or bristles. The precise feature referenced is determined by the taxonomic context and the original species description.

Because Latin adjectives must agree with the gender of the genus, the ending of spicatus changes accordingly. This agreement rule means that a given species name may appear as spicatus, spicata, or spicatum depending on the genus it accompanies.

Spicatus is one of many descriptive epithets used in scientific naming. It conveys a general sense of “spike-like” form rather than pointing to a specific taxonomic group or rank, and it is typically encountered within binomial or trinomial species names rather than as the name of a taxon on its own.