Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic category in biological classification: "Genus Cosmos" refers to a specific genus (a rank in biological taxonomy below family and above species) of flowering plants. This genus belongs to the family Asteraceae (the daisy or sunflower family). 2. A group of related plant species: It comprises a group of closely related species, primarily native to tropical and subtropical America, known for their showy, colorful, daisy-like flowers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The genus Cosmos includes popular garden flowers like Cosmos bipinnatus and Cosmos sulphureus.
  • Botanists study the evolutionary relationships within the genus Cosmos.
  • This plant's characteristics place it firmly in the genus Cosmos.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical nomenclature: The name is always written in italics, with the genus name capitalized (""). When referring to the genus as a taxonomic category, it is often styled as "genus ".
• In horticulture and gardening: The term is used to discuss the group's shared cultivation needs, pest susceptibilities, or breeding history.

Variants and Related Words

• Cosmos (n): When used informally (and not italicized), this often refers to the common garden plants from this genus.
  • I planted some cosmos in my garden this year.
• Cosmos bipinnatus (n): The scientific name for a common species within the genus, often called the "garden cosmos" or "Mexican aster".
• Cosmos sulphureus (n): The scientific name for another common species, the "yellow cosmos" or "sulfur cosmos".

Synonyms

• Taxonomic genus Cosmos: This is the precise scientific term; there are no true common-language synonyms for the taxonomic designation.

Related Phrases

• Member of the genus Cosmos: A phrase used to describe a specific plant species belonging to this group.
  • Cosmos atrosanguineus is a member of the genus Cosmos known for its chocolate scent.

Noun

1. genus of tropical American plants cultivated for their colorful flowers