autumnale
/aw-tum-NAH-lee/🏷️ Taxonomy● Basic
Also known as: autumnalis
A seasonal epithet in its neuter ending, used with neuter genera for plants that flower or fruit as the year turns. Masculine and feminine share a single spelling, so only the neuter differs, and the ending is a small clue to the gender of the genus. Appears as autumnalis (masculine and feminine) or autumnale (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin autumnalis, meaning "of autumn," from autumnus (autumn).
Example
“Helenium autumnale (sneezeweed) and Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus) both carry the neuter ending, and both save their display for the closing weeks of the season.”