Velutinus
/vel-yoo-TY-nus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: velutina, velutinum
A texture epithet describing a surface covered in short, erect, soft, dense hairs that create a velvety feel — distinct from silky (sericeus), woolly (lanatus), or bristly (hirsutus). Velvety-surfaced plants have an appealing, luxurious tactile quality. Appears as velutinus (masculine), velutina (feminine), or velutinum (neuter).
Etymology
From New Latin velutinus, from medieval Latin velutum (velvet), from Old Italian velluto, from Latin villus (shaggy hair).
Example
“Ceanothus velutinus (sticky laurel, whose young leaves are velvety-surfaced as well as resinous) and Rhus typhina f. velutina both display the plush, soft texture the epithet describes.”