Praestans
/PREE-stanz/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
An aesthetic epithet meaning the plant surpasses or excels — outstanding among its kind, remarkable for some quality that places it above its relatives. Appears as praestans (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin praestans, present participle of praestare (to surpass), from prae- (before) + stare (to stand).
Example
“Tulipa praestans and Fritillaria praestans both carry this epithet for the quality that made their discoverers feel they had found something genuinely superior.”