Specific epithet

In botanical nomenclature, a specific epithet is the second part in the name of a species. The first part is the name of the genus.

Related Topics:
Botanical nomenclature - Species - Genus

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:Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) is the name of the species, with Sequoia the name of the genus and sempervirens the specific epithet.

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In zoological nomenclature, the equivalent is called the "specific name", as opposed to the "species name" (the latter is the name of the species).

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In botanical nomenclature, a taxon below the rank of species (an infraspecific taxon), will have a three part name (ternary name): the third part is the "infraspecific epithet".

Related Topics:
Infraspecific taxon - Ternary name - Infraspecific epithet

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See also Nomenclature Codes

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