wrightii

Wrightii is a taxonomic epithet used in the scientific names of organisms, primarily plants, to honor individuals with the surname Wright. When attached to a genus, it forms a binomial name such as Genus wrightii, written in lowercase and usually italicized in formal writing.

Etymology and form: The epithet derives from the Latin genitive suffix -ii, signifying “of Wright.” In botanical nomenclature this form is commonly used to recognize a male person named Wright associated with the species’ discovery, collection, or description. Feminine honorees may be represented by forms such as -iae or -iana, depending on the author and the conventions of the nomenclatural code.

Scope and usage: Wrightii appears across a range of taxa, especially in plants, where exploration and botanical collecting have led to many commemorative names. The same surname can appear in different genera, yielding unrelated species that share the epithet. The designation does not imply any shared biology beyond the honor conferred in naming.

Nomenclature notes: The epithet is governed by the relevant codes of nomenclature (the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants for plants, and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for animals). The person honored by wrightii is not necessarily the discoverer; it may reflect recognition of a contributor, collector, or collaborator in the species’ history.

See also: List of species named after people; taxonomic nomenclature; Latinization in biology.