Tortuosus
/tor-tyoo-OH-sus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: tortuosa, tortuosum
A morphological epithet describing a plant with a markedly twisted or contorted form — stems, branches, or leaves that twist or curl irregularly. Appears as tortuosus (masculine), tortuosa (feminine), or tortuosum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin tortuosus, meaning "full of twists," from tortus (twisted), from torquere (to twist).
Example
“Salix 'Tortuosa' (corkscrew willow) has the dramatically contorted, sinuously twisted branches the epithet describes — creating extraordinary winter silhouettes.”