Scorpioides
/skor-pee-OY-deez/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
A morphological resemblance epithet applied to plants with flower clusters that are coiled or curved like a scorpion's tail — the characteristic scorpioid cyme found in many borage family plants. It is one of the most vivid animal-resemblance epithets in botanical Latin. Appears as scorpioides (both genders).
Etymology
From Greek skorpios (scorpion) + -oides (resembling), meaning "resembling a scorpion."
Example
“Myosotis scorpioides (forget-me-not) and Heliotropium scorpioides both have flower clusters that uncoil progressively as each new flower opens — exactly replicating the uncurling tail of a scorpion.”