Amaryllideous

/ˌæmərɪˈlɪdɪəs/ adjective

Definition

A variant or alternative form meaning the same as amaryllidaceous; relating to the amaryllis family.

Etymology

A less common variant of amaryllidaceous, using the older or alternative suffix -eous (rather than -aceous) to mean 'of or belonging to.' Both versions were used in 18th and 19th-century botanical texts.

Kelly Says

Scientific naming is less standardized than it seems—early botanists used -eous and -aceous somewhat interchangeably, which is why you find variant forms in old books before the rules got locked down.

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