Nigrescens
/ny-GRES-enz/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
A color epithet describing a plant that darkens progressively — turning black or near-black at maturity, in cold temperatures, or as it dries. It is one of several "becoming" epithets using the -escens suffix to record dynamic color change. Appears as nigrescens (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin nigrescens, present participle of nigrescere (to become black), from nigere (to be black).
Example
“Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (black mondo grass) and Viola nigrescens develop their characteristically dark, near-black tones progressively — the epithet acknowledging this darkening as a defining feature.”