Browsing: monacantha

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Epithet: monacantha
Meaning: One-spined
Derivation: Compund epithet made up of two Ancient Greek words, the adjective "μόνος (mónos)," meaning "(1) alone, forsaken, solitary, (2) only, (3) unique" and the noun "ᾰ̓́κᾰνθᾰ (ắkănthă)," meaning "(1) thorny plant, (2) thorn, spine, prickle."

Pronunciation: mon-ah-KANTH-uh

While the generic name must be unique, two or more genera often share the same specific epithet. Moreover, the same epithet can be used for subspecies, varieties, and forms within a species. Here is a list of plants that share this epithet.