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Xanthinus

/ZAN-thih-nus/
🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate

Also known as: xanthina, xanthinum

A color epithet from the Greek word for yellow, used to describe bright, clear yellow in flowers, fruit, or foliage. It is the Greek-derived counterpart to the Latin luteus and flavus, and often appears in compound epithets or genus names as xanth-. Appears as xanthinus (masculine), xanthina (feminine), or xanthinum (neuter).

Etymology

From Greek xanthos, meaning "yellow" or "golden-yellow," used widely in botanical compound names.

Example

Eschscholzia californica 'Xanthinа' and Rhododendron xanthinum carry the bright, clear yellow tone this Greek color epithet describes — echoed in genus names like Xanthocyparis (yellow cypress) and Xanthorrhiza (yellow root).

Example Plant

🌿Iris xanthina