Bissellia

/bɪˈseɪliə/ noun

Definition

A genus of moss characterized by having two rows of leaves or lacking certain typical moss structures; alternatively, a genus of small terrestrial animals.

Etymology

Named (capitalized as Bissellia) from 'bis-' (two) descriptive of its morphology. Used in taxonomic nomenclature, likely from 19th-century botanical classification.

Kelly Says

Bissellia is a taxonomic name so obscure that it barely appears outside of specialized bryology and zoology papers—it's the kind of genus name that only 47 people in the world know, which is strangely beautiful about science's deep specialization.

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