Caninus
/ka-NY-nus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: canina, caninum
One of the most common animal-reference epithets, caninus historically implied the plant was the coarser, wild, or inferior version of a more useful relative — as a dog might be compared to a nobler animal. It rarely implies any physical resemblance to a dog. Appears as caninus (masculine), canina (feminine), or caninum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin caninus, meaning "of a dog" or "dog-like," from canis (dog).
Example
“Rosa canina (dog rose) is the wild briar of European hedgerows — beautiful but thornier and less refined than cultivated roses — and Viola canina (dog violet) lacks the scent of the sweet violet.”