Elegans
/EL-eh-ganz/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
An aesthetic epithet applied to plants the naming botanist considered refined, tasteful, or particularly well-proportioned. It implies a certain sophistication of form — often combining fine texture, good color, and pleasing habit. Appears as elegans (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin elegans, meaning "elegant," "choice," or "tasteful," present participle of eligere (to choose, to select).
Example
“Caladium 'Elegans', Schefflera elegantissima, and Hosta 'Elegans' all carry this epithet as the naming authority's judgment that these are among the most refined plants in their genus.”