Viscosus
/vis-KOH-sus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: viscosa, viscosum
A morphological epithet describing a plant surface that is sticky or viscid — coated in a gluey or resinous secretion from glandular hairs or resin glands. Sticky plants often trap insects for defense, and the tackiness is immediately noticeable when the plant is touched. Appears as viscosus (masculine), viscosa (feminine), or viscosum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin viscosus, meaning "sticky" or "full of birdlime," from viscum (mistletoe, birdlime made from mistletoe berries).
Example
“Inula viscosa (sticky fleabane) and Silene viscosa (sticky campion) both have the characteristic tacky, resinous surface that traps small insects and gives these plants their tenacious, gluey texture.”