Caespitosus
/see-spih-TOH-sus/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: caespitosa, caespitosum
A growth habit epithet describing a plant that grows in dense, compact tufts or tussocks — numerous shoots arising from a common base to form a cushion-like or grass-tussock form. Tufted plants are extremely useful for edging, ground cover, and rock garden planting. Appears as caespitosus (masculine), caespitosa (feminine), or caespitosum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin caespites/caespes (turf, sod, clump of grass) + -osus (full of).
Example
“Festuca glauca and Carex caespitosa both form the characteristic dense, mounding tussocks the epithet describes — clumps so tight and neat they need no edging to keep their shape.”