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Capillaceus

/kap-ih-LAY-see-us/
🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced

Also known as: capillacea, capillaceum

A texture and leaf epithet describing parts that are as fine as hair — the most extreme expression of narrow, thread-like foliage or stems. Plants with this epithet have an almost cloud-like, insubstantial texture. Appears as capillaceus (masculine), capillacea (feminine), or capillaceum (neuter).

Etymology

From Latin capillus (hair) + -aceus (of the nature of, resembling), meaning "hair-like."

Example

Asparagus capillaceus and fine-leaved aquatic plants such as Myriophyllum capillaceum have the extraordinarily delicate, hair-fine foliage that makes the epithet one of the most visually precise in botanical Latin.

Example Plant

🌿Festuca capillacea