Pumilus
/PYOO-mih-lus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: pumila, pumilum
A size epithet indicating the plant is very small or dwarf, often used interchangeably with nanus. The subtle distinction is that pumilus tends to imply a naturally small, compact individual rather than a selected dwarf mutant. Appears as pumilus (masculine), pumila (feminine), or pumilum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin pumilus, meaning "dwarf" or "pygmy," related to pumilio (a dwarf) and possibly to pumex (pumice).
Example
“Pinus mugo var. pumilio and Juniperus communis 'Compressa' illustrate how pumilus cultivars and varieties stay compact for decades without outgrowing a rock garden.”