Compressus
/kom-PRES-sus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: compressa, compressum
A morphological epithet describing a structure that is flattened from the sides — laterally compressed — rather than flat from above and below (depressus). Compressed stems, bulbs, or fruits have an oval or elliptical cross-section. Appears as compressus (masculine), compressa (feminine), or compressum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin compressus, past participle of comprimere, meaning "to press together," from com- (together) + premere (to press).
Example
“Juncus compressus (flat-stalked rush) has the characteristic laterally flattened stems that feel quite different from the round stems of most rushes, and Poa compressa (flat-stemmed bluegrass) shares the same compressed stem cross-section.”