Capensis
/ka-PEN-sis/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: capense
A geographic epithet indicating the plant is from the Cape region of South Africa — one of the world's six plant biodiversity hotspots and home to the unique Cape Floristic Region. It is among the most frequently encountered African epithets in horticulture, reflecting centuries of plant hunting around the Cape.
Etymology
From Latin Capensis, meaning "of the Cape," from Caput Bonae Spei (Cape of Good Hope), from caput (head, cape) + bonus (good) + spes (hope).
Example
“Pelargonium capense, Arctotis capensis, and the iconic Protea cynaroides — king of the Cape flora — together illustrate the exceptional botanical richness of the region this epithet honours.”