Luteus
/LOO-tee-us/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: lutea, luteum
A color epithet meaning the plant bears conspicuously yellow flowers, fruits, foliage, or other structures. Distinct from aurea (golden) which implies a richer, metallic golden tone; luteus refers to a cleaner, purer yellow. Appears as luteus (masculine), lutea (feminine), or luteum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin luteus, meaning "yellow" or "saffron-colored," from lutum (a yellow dye plant, weld).
Example
“Primula lutea and Genista tinctoria, whose flowers are a clear, bright yellow, both illustrate this cheerful color epithet.”