Furfuraceus
/fur-fyoo-RAY-see-us/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: furfuracea, furfuraceum
A texture epithet describing a surface covered in loose, flaky, bran-like scales — like the bran coating of wheat grain. Finer than squamosus and suggesting a more powdery, flaking texture than the distinct scales of lepidotus. Appears as furfuraceus (masculine), furfuracea (feminine), or furfuraceum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin furfuraceus, meaning "bran-like," from furfur (bran, scurf).
Example
“Polypodium furfuraceum and Thelypteris furfuracea both have the characteristic loose, flaking, bran-like scales on their frond surfaces or rachises that this evocative epithet describes.”