Major
/MAY-jor/🏷️ Taxonomy● Basic
A comparative size epithet indicating the plant is larger than a closely related species, typically used in direct contrast with minor. Like minor, it is relative rather than absolute — major simply means the bigger of two. Appears as major (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin major, meaning "greater" or "larger," the comparative form of magnus (great, large).
Example
“Vinca major (greater periwinkle) and Plantago major (greater plantain) are both larger-growing counterparts to minor relatives, their epithet immediately orienting botanists within the genus.”