Salicifolius
/sal-ih-sih-FOH-lee-us/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: salicifolia, salicifolium
A resemblance epithet describing a plant with leaves that closely resemble those of a willow — narrow, elongated, and tapering, often with a graceful, arching quality. It immediately communicates a fine-textured, linear leaf form to anyone familiar with willows. Appears as salicifolius (masculine), salicifolia (feminine), or salicifolium (neuter).
Etymology
From the genus Salix (willow) + Latin folium (leaf), meaning "willow-leaved."
Example
“Cotoneaster salicifolius (willow-leaved cotoneaster) has the gracefully arching branches and narrow, lance-shaped leaves that immediately call a willow to mind, distinguishing it from its broader-leaved relatives.”