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Inermis

/in-ER-mis/
🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate

Also known as: inerme

A morphological epithet meaning the plant is without the spines, thorns, or prickles typical of its genus or family. It often marks selected or cultivated forms of normally spiny species that are safer and easier to handle in gardens.

Etymology

From Latin inermis, meaning "unarmed" or "without weapons," from in- (without) + arma (arms, weapons).

Example

Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis (thornless honeylocust) and Robinia pseudoacacia 'Inermis' are prized street trees precisely because they lack their species' dangerous spines.

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