Commelinaceae Research: Variegated plants and their names

French botanical resource text discussing the pale green variegated form (chlorovariegation) that we see in some lime-green and neon-green variegated plants in the horticultural industry.

created: Oct. 19, 2021

updated: Nov. 5, 2021

Variegation in botany : definition

(1) Variegation in general. Variegation simply refers to a variety of color, usually of a leaf or flower, but stems/trunk, branches and even seeds can be variegated as well. In most cases, the cause of the variegation is difference in the amount of pigment (often chlorophyll) in the plant's structure, anywhere from a total lack, resulting in white to pale yellow coloration (depending on the quantity of the xanthophyllic pigments in the leaf--those without any xanthophyllic contribution will be completely white), to a subtle difference, resulting in various shades of green or another color if another chemical coloration is involved. Plants with petals, carpals or leaves that have multiple colors, even if none are white, are still called variegated. Sometimes the variegation is only a variation in the amount of anthocyanins (usually the basis for most red, purple or pink coloration) and there is no lack of chloroplast output. And sometimes it is a combination of both, as one can see in the incredible variation of colors in the bromeliads, Coleus, Tradescantia cultivars and Huechera varieties.

(2) Yellow and white variegation. Variegated leaves with yellow or white variegation occur rarely in nature. Species with these variegated individuals are sometimes found in the understory of tropical rainforests, and this habitat is the source of a number of variegated houseplants.

(3) Viral induced variegation. Infection by a virus can also be a cause of variegation, and this has been studied by scientists, such as in case of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus. in the Commelinaceae family, a virus-induced variegation is believed to be the cause for the yellow variegated Tradescantia cerinthoides with smooth leaves aka: Tradescantia cerinthoides f. glabra 'Aureovariegata'.

In general, multicolored plants tend to be weaker than their non-multicolored counterparts due to their reduced ability to conduct photosynthesis (due to lack of chlorophyll) and therefore grow more slowly than non-multicolored plants. However, most of these plants are in artificially controlled environments and are cultivated specifically to survive as indoor plants where competition is non-existent, and they are often exposed to the shade that is necessary for these plants so that their foliage does not get burned and discolored by sunlight.

Many variegated plants are extremely sensitive to light. They need a certain exposure to a certain spectrum of light and if this deviates to one side with more light then they tend to lose the green parts, while if the opposite happens, if they receive less than the optimal light, they tend to lose their variegated parts and the leaves will be more green. This variation of pigmentation can be so subtle that it can be found even within the branches of a single small plant. A brilliant example is Tradescantia 'Pink Furry' in the following photo:

Tradescantia 'Pink Dragon': the branch on the left is located behind the vertical frame of the window and therefore receives less light. The branch on the right side as we see, has direct exposure to the window with SW orientation and to the rays of the sun. As we can see, the branch on the left is greener than the branch on the right.

Therefore in this article we will take a look in all the botanical terms referring to the colors of plants, their variations and the combination of two or three terms to accurately describe a variegated plant. What comes as a surprise for those of us knowing a few things about botany is that we see the term variegata solely - and falsely - being used for any variegated plant. We see it being used even from companies that sell plants! Especially among the hobbyists of tropical foliage plants such as Philodendron, Syngonium and the like, it's so sad to see the taxon: Syngonium podophyllum 'Variegatum' written as '~~Variegata~~'! There are two UM right there, where did you find a variegatA! 😀

P.S. 1. The single and also the compound terms below may be used either for species specific epithets (ie: aurea) and for cultivated varieties as well (ie: 'Aurea').

P.S. 2: Botanical Latin may slightly differ and include more etymological information than the original term in Latin.

Table listing all the botanical terms describing color


albicans	Having a vivid white/whitish color. Etymology: from Latin albĭcans (white, vivid, whitish)^[1]. Example: Calathea albicans.
albulus	albulus -a, -um. Having a whitish, pale color. Etymology: from Latin albŭlus (whitish, pale)^[2]. Example: Carex albula.
albus	albus -a, -um. For the white flowers on a specific variety, to distinguish it from other species in the same genus that have flowers of a different color than white. Etymology: from Latin albus (white)^[3]. Example: Commelina communis f. alba.
argenteus	argenteus -a, -um. For a silvery variegation of the foliage. Etymology: from Latin argentĕus (silvery)^[4]. Example: Mimetes argenteus.
aureus	aureus -a, -um. For the golden (yellow) variegation of the foliage. Etymology: from Latin aurĕus (golden)^[5]. Example 1: Tradescantia cerinthoides 'Aurea'. Example 2: Alstroemeria aurea.
fasciatus	fasciatus -a, -um. Etymology: from Latin fasciatus, perfect participle of fascĭo (fascĭo )^[30]; marked transversely with broad parallel stripes of color)^[31]. Example 1: Dracaena fasciata. Example 2: Streptocarpus fasciatus.
fulvus	fulvus -a, -um. Tawny, reddish-yellow, yellowish-brown color. Etymology: from Latin fulvus (tawny, reddish yellow)^{[22, 23]}. Example 1: Lasiocereus fulvus. Example 2: Polyscias fulva.
lineatus	lineatus -a, -um. Marked by fine parallel lines; marked with lines or stripes^{[24, 25]}. Etymology: from Latin lineatus (lined)^[26]. Example 1: Senecio lineatus. Example 2: Secamone lineata.
niger, nigra, nigrum	niger, nigra, nigrum. Having black color (stem or leaf)^[6]. Etymology: from Latin nĭgĕr (black, dark, swarthy)^[7]; from Latin: nĭgra (black dress)^[8]. Example: Phyllostachys nigra.
pictus	pictus -a, -um. Pictus in botanical latin means "painted; highly colored". Etymology: from Latin: pictus (colored, painted)^[17] . Example: Scindapsus pictus.
roseus	roseus -a, -um. Roseus in botanical latin means "reddish-pink". In this case the term refers to the reddish-pink variegated color of the foliage. Etymology: from Latin: rōsĕus (colored like a rose)^{[9, 10]}. Example: Canavalia rosea.
variegatus	The term variegatus is used to describe a variegated plant belonging to a male gender. Etymology: from Late Latin variegātus, perfect passive participle of vărĭĕgo (1. made of various sorts or colors 2. to be party-coloured or variegated)^{[11, 12, 13]}. Example: Geogenanthus ciliatus 'Variegatus' (If we ever see a variegated plant from this taxon, the general term for variegation will be like that, but it may be more specific if the variegation is striped, or in the margins/center of the leaves). But what is important is the suffix US as it denotes a male gender.
variegata	The term variegata is used to describe a variegated plant belonging to a female gender. Most of the genera in the Commelinaceae family are of a female gender. Example 1: Tradescantia cerinthoides 'Variegata'. This is however a general term to describe a variegated plant. Since there are white-variegated and yellow-variegated forms from this plant, the more precise terms are 'Albovariegata' and 'Aureovariegata' respectively. Example 2: Callisia fragrans 'Variegata'. This is however a general term to describe a variegated plant. There are currently two forms of variegation of this plant, one is yellow-variegated - Callisia fragrans 'Melnikoff' - and the most recent which is white-variegated in stripes - is the Callisia fragrans 'Infinity'. As we see there are already cultivar names for these two plants, but if we were to use their technical names to describe them according to their form of variegation, then they would be: Callisia fragrans 'Aureovariegata' and Callisia fragrans 'Albostriata', respectively. You can read more on these compound terms below.
variegatum	The term variegatum is used to describe a variegated plant belonging to a neuter gender. Example 1: Thyrsanthemum goldianum 'Variegatum' (If we ever see a variegated plant from this taxon, the general term for variegation will be like that, but it may be more specific if the variegation is striped, or in the margins/center of the leaves). But what is important is the suffix UM as it denotes a neuter gender. Example 2: Syngonium podophyllum 'Variegatum'. This is however a general term to describe a variegated plant. Since there are white-variegated and yellow-variegated forms from this plant, the more precise terms are 'Albovariegatum' and 'Aureovariegatum' respectively. You can read more on these terms below.
versicolor	Having color that change^[28]; variously colored; party-colored^[29]. Etymology: from Latin versĭcŏlŏr (having colours that change)^[28]. Examples: Anthurium versicolor, Iris versicolor, Strobilanthes versicolor.
Compound Terms
albofasciatus	albofasciatus -a, -um. Marked transversely with broad white parallel stripes of color. Etymology: Latin albus + fasciatus. Example: Siderasis albofasciata.
albolineatus	albolineatus -a, -um. Marked longitudinally with white depressed parallel lines. Etymology: Latin albus + lineatus. Lineatus (to mark with lines). Example: Syngonium podophyllum var. albolineatum.
albomaculatus	albomaculatus -a, -um. A plant with white spots on the leaves. Etymology: from Latin măcŭlo (to spot, to taint)^[14]. Example: Asarum albomaculatum.
albomarginatus	albomarginatus -a, -um. A plant with white variegated margins on the leaves. Etymology: Latin albus + marginatus (bordered, edged, with a distinct border)^[15]. Example: Dichorisandra albomarginata.
albomediopictus albo medio-pictus mediopictus albus	albomediopictus -a, -um. Pictus in botanical latin means "painted". Thus it's another term for a plant with white variegation in the center of the leaves. Etymology: from Latin albus (white) + mĕdĭo (to be in the middle) + pictus (painted)^{[16, 17]}. Thus, it refers to white variegation in the center of the leaf. Example: Agave americana 'Albo Medio-Picta'.
albopictus	albopictus -a, -um. Pictus in botanical latin means "painted". Thus it's another term for a plant with white variegation on the leaves. Etymology: from Latin albus (white) + pictus (colored)^{[16, 17]}. Example: Aloe albopicta.
albostriatus	albostriatus -a, -um. A plant whose variegation is consisted of white stripes. Etymology: Latin albus + striatus (striate, streaked, with fine, parallel, longitudinal, linear markings, striped)^[18]. Example: Commelina communis 'Albostriata'.
albovariegatus	albovariegatus -a, -um. A plant with white variegation. Etymology: Latin albus + variegatus. Example: Tradescantia aff. fluminensis 'Albovariegata'.
argenteomarginatus	argenteomarginatus -a, -um. A plant with silvery variegated margins on the leaves. Etymology: Latin argentĕus + marginatus. Example: Ophiopogon intermedius 'Argenteomarginatus'.
argenteostriatus	argenteostriatus -a, -um. A plant whose variegation is consisted of silvery stripes. Etymology: Latin argentĕus + striatus. Example: Acorus gramineus 'Argenteostriatus'.
argenteovariegatus	argenteovariegatus -a, -um. A plant with silvery variegation. Etymology: Latin argentĕus + variegatus. Example: Rhamnus alaternus 'Argenteovariegatus'.
aureofulvus	aureofulvus -a, -um. Having a tawny, yellowish-brown color. Etymology: Latin aurĕus (golden) + fulvus (tawny, reddish yellow). Example 1: Bifrenaria aureofulva. Example 2: Andropogon aureofulvus.
aureolineatus	aureolineatus -a, -um. Marked longitudinally with yellow depressed parallel lines. Etymology: Latin aurĕus + lineatus.
aureomarginatus	aureomarginatus -a, -um. A plant with golden (yellow) variegated margins on the leaves. Etymology: Latin aurĕus (golden) + marginatus (bordered, edged)^{[5, 15]}. Example: Croton aureomarginatus.
aureomediopictus aureo medio-pictus mediopictus aureus	aureomediopictus -a, -um. For a plant with golden (yellow) variegation in the center of the leaves. Etymology: from Latin aurĕus (golden) + mĕdĭo (to be in the middle) + pictus (colored)^{[5, 16, 17]}. Raw translation: "golden-painted-in the middle". Example: Agave americana 'Mediopicta Aurea'.
aureopinnatus	aureopinnatus -a, -um. Pinnatus in botanical Latin means "feathered, winged". A plant whose variegation is consisted of golden (yellow) stripes. Etymology: aurĕus (golden) + pinnātus (feathered, winged)^{[5, 27]}. Example: Monstera aureopinnata.
aureostriatus	aureostriatus -a, -um. A plant whose variegation is consisted of golden (yellow) stripes. Etymology: Latin aurĕus (golden) + striatus (striate, streaked, with fine, parallel, longitudinal, linear markings, striped)^{[5, 18]}. Example 1: Commelina communis 'Aureostriata'. Example 2: Tradescantia spathacea 'Aureostriata'. (falsely circulated as: 'Vittata', the term vittatus is mainly used in zoology, the equivalent in botany is striatus). Example 3: Bambusa aureostriata.
aureovariegatus	aureovariegatus, -a, -um. A plant with golden variegation. Example: Tradescantia cerinthoides 'Aureovariegata'.
bicolor	Foliage consisted of two colors. Etymology: from Latin: bĭs (twice, doubly) + color^[19]. Example: Fascicularia bicolor.
chlorovariegatus chlorovariegata chlorovariegatum	chlorovariegatus -a, -um. Green variegated, such as that we see in some Aroids in the horticultural industry (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon', Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium 'Lemon' etc.). Etymology: from Greek chlorós (green, freshly sprouted, freshly cut) + variegatus.
flavomarginatus flavo-marginatus	older synonym for aureomarginatus. Etymology: Latin flāvus (gold coin) + marginatus (bordered, edged)^[15].
mediopictus	mediopictus -a, -um. With a stripe or color running down the middle (of the leaf). Etymology: from Latin mĕdĭo (to be in the middle) + pictus (colored)^{[16, 17]}. Example: Goeppertia mediopicta.
quadricolor	In botanical latin it means "consisted of four colors". Etymology: Medieval Latin: quadri (four) + color^[20]. Example 1: Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor. Example 2: Sobralia quadricolor. Example 3: Tradescantia zebrina 'Quadricolor'.
roseopictus	roseopictus -a, -um. Pictus in botanical latin means "colored, painted". In this case the term refers to the reddish-pink variegated foliage (which in fact is magenta; but this is another big issue: most plants with magenta variegation are called "pink"). Etymology: from Latin roseus (colored like a rose) + pictus (colored)^{[9, 17]}. Example: Goeppertia roseopicta.
roseomarginatus	roseomarginatus -a, -um. Pictus in botanical latin means "painted". In this case the term refers to the reddish-pink variegated margins on the leaves.Etymology: from Latin roseus (colored like a rose) + marginatus (bordered, edged)^{[9, 15]}. Example: Syzygium roseomarginatum.
roseostriatus	roseostriatus -a, -um. A plant whose variegation is consisted of reddish-pink stripes. Etymology: Latin roseus (colored like a rose) + striatus (striate, streaked, with fine, parallel, longitudinal, linear markings, striped)^{[9, 18]}. Example 1: Aechmea roseostriata. Example 2: Heliconia roseostriata.
roseovariegatus	roseovariegatus, -a, -um. A plant with reddish-pink variegation. Example: Oeceoclades roseovariegata. Etymology: Latin roseus (colored like a rose) + variegatus (1. made of various sorts or colors 2. to be party-coloured or variegated)^{[9, 11, 12, 13]}.
tricolor	Foliage consisted of three colors. Etymology: from Latin: trias (a triad, number three) + color^[21]. Example 1: Viola tricolor. Example 2: Tradescantia mundula 'Tricolor'. Example 3: Tradescantia spathacea 'Tricolor'.

In Botanical Species and Cultivated Varieties

In the general case that a variegated plant occurred in nature and thus was not the product of human interference, then the term is written as a botanical species epithet, with small letters in italics. Thus the accepted terminology is:

[…] f. variegatus : for the plants belonging to a male gender
[…] f. variegata : for the plants belonging to a female gender
[…] f. variegatum : for the plants belonging to a neuter gender

In most cases however, the variegated plants are a product of human interference. In that case the term for variegation must be written inside single quotes, with the first letter capitalized, such as in the case for cultivars.

[…] 'Variegatus' : for the plants belonging to a male gender
[…] 'Variegata' : for the plants belonging to a female gender
[…] 'Variegatum' : for the plants belonging to a neuter gender

[…] = Genus. Or Genus + species.