Altissimus
/al-TIS-ih-mus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: altissima, altissimum
A superlative size epithet meaning the plant is the tallest — the highest-growing species in its genus or among the tallest of its type. Appears as altissimus (masculine), altissima (feminine), or altissimum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin altissimus, superlative of altus (high, tall), meaning "highest" or "tallest."
Example
“Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) and Eucalyptus altissima both carry the vertical superlative that marks them among the most aspirationally upward-growing plants in their genera.”