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Proliferus

/proh-LIF-er-us/
🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate

Also known as: prolifera, proliferum

A morphological epithet describing a plant that produces an unusual proliferation of parts — extra petals or flowers within flowers (as in double blooms), plantlets on leaves or flower stalks, or vigorous suckering and offsetting. Appears as proliferus (masculine), prolifera (feminine), or proliferum (neuter).

Etymology

From Latin proles (offspring, progeny) + ferre (to bear, carry), meaning "bearing offspring."

Example

Sempervivum proliferum produces abundant offsets around the parent rosette, and Rosa centifolia 'Prolifera' (the cabbage rose) was named for the extra petals proliferating within the flower.

Example Plant

🌿Allium proliferum