Multifidus
/mul-TIF-ih-dus/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: multifida, multifidum
A leaf shape epithet describing foliage cut into many narrow divisions, giving a fine, ferny or lacy outline. The cuts run deep but stop short of separating the blade into true leaflets, which is what distinguishes it from a compound leaf. Appears as multifidus (masculine), multifida (feminine), or multifidum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin multifidus, meaning "divided many times," from multus (many) + findere (to split).
Example
“Brachyscome multifida (cut-leaved daisy) and Anemone multifida (Pacific anemone) both carry finely dissected foliage of the kind the epithet describes.”