Glaucescens
/glaw-SES-enz/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
A color epithet describing a plant whose surface is in the process of developing — or tends to develop — a glaucous (blue-gray) waxy bloom, without necessarily having the full established glauca of glaucus. The present participle form implies an ongoing or partial process. Appears as glaucescens (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin glaucescens, present participle of glaucescere (to become sea-green or glaucous), from glaucus (blue-gray).
Example
“Elymus glaucescens and Festuca glaucescens both develop the characteristic blue-gray leaf surfaces that make glaucous grasses so valued for contrast in garden design — their epithet capturing this developing quality.”