Squarrosus
/skwar-OH-sus/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: squarrosa, squarrosum
A morphological epithet describing a surface or structure with parts that spread outward and curve back at the tip — the squarrose condition typical of certain moss capsules, pine cone scales, and flower bracts that spread widely and recurve. Appears as squarrosus (masculine), squarrosa (feminine), or squarrosum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin squarrosus, meaning "scurfy" or "with rough projections," later applied to the spreading-recurved arrangement.
Example
“Centaurea squarrosa and Carex squarrosa (squarrose sedge) both have the characteristic outward-spreading, recurved bracts or scales that give squarrose plants their bristly, star-burst appearance.”