tenuiflorum

Tenuiflorum is a Latin-language epithet used in the scientific names of many flowering plants. The name derives from tenuis, meaning slender or thin, and florus or flor- from flos, floris, meaning flower. As a descriptor, it indicates a plant with relatively slender or delicate flowers.

The epithet tenuiflorum is not a single taxon; it has been applied independently to numerous species across different genera and families. Because Latin adjectives must agree in gender with their genus, the form of the epithet varies (for example, tenuiflorum is neuter, tenuiflorus masculine, and tenuiflora feminine), but the underlying meaning remains the same: the flowers are slender.

Usage and taxonomy: The exact species associated with the epithet tenuiflorum change over time as taxonomic revisions occur. To determine the current accepted name for a particular tenuiflorum-bearing taxon, researchers consult authoritative databases such as The International Plant Names Index (IPNI), Tropicos, or The Plant List, which provide publication details, authorship, and synonymy.

Examples and scope: The epithet appears in many genera across angiosperms, reflecting a morphological description rather than close evolutionary relationship. Names may be reclassified into different genera as taxonomic understanding advances, so a given tenuiflorum-bearing name today might correspond to a different taxon in the future.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature; botanical nomenclature; list of Latin adjectival epithets in plant names.