A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Brachium,-ii (s.n.II), abl. sg. brachio; see arm; see branch;

1. distance from arm-pit to tip of middle finger, hence 2 ft (65 cm.); “an ell, or two feet [24 inches]” (Lindley); “distance from arm-pit to tip of middle finger, hence 2 ft. (65 cm)” (Stearn) = brachialis,-e (adj.B), q.v.; = ulna,-ae (s.f.I), q.v.; see ell see cubitus,-i (s.m.II) [> L. brachium,-ii (s.n.II) the arm, the whole arm, from the shoulder to the fingers” (Lewis & Short)]; see measurements;

NOTE: the brachium,-ii and brachialis,-e (adj.B), q.v. both = an ulna,-ae (s.f.I) in length; see ulna,-ae (s.f.I).

NOTE: Jackson indicated the Brachium designated the ‘fore-arm,’ not the whole arm, hence his measurement is shorter: = “a cubit long, roughly about 18 inches.” This use of Brachium,-ii (s.n.II) and brachialis,-e (adj.B) is not suggested here, as it duplicates the shorter length of the cubit.

2. the arm; often translated as ‘branch’ especially as appendages to the column or the stigma in Orchidaceae; “the upper segment of the arm or forelimb from the shoulder to the elbow; any of certain processes similar to an arm” (WIII) [> L. brachium,-ii (s.n.II), the arm, the whole arm, from the shoulder to the fingers” (Lewis & Short)]; “(of trees, vines, etc.) a branch, shoot” (Glare)].

NOTE: classically the brachium may indicate only the forearm (or, in animals, the forelimb), from elbow to hand. It may also indicate the whole arm, from shoulder to hand, and this term was used as a standard of measurement (after Glare, who does not speculate on the length in inches or centimeters).

- brachiis rostelli latioribus, with the arms of the rostellum wider.

- sylus in 2 brachia stigmatica 12-16 mm longa divisus, style divided into two stigmatic arms 12-16 mm long.

- columna brevis, brachiis 2 longiusculis instructa (B&H), the column short, provided with 2 rather long arms.

- columna apice brachiis 2 linearibus erectis rostello aequilongis instructa (B&H), the column at the apex provided with 2 linear, erect arms the same length as the rostellum.

- stigma sub rostello crassissimo carnoso brachiis 2 linearibus erectis appendiculatum (B&H), the stigma below the very thick, fleshy rostellum appendiculate with 2 linear erect arms.

- columna lobis lateralibus v. brachiis plus minus distinctis (B&H), the column with lateral lobes or with arms more or less distinct.

- columna erecta, semiteres, subalata, apoda, apice utrinque in acumen seu brachium erectum producta (B&H), the column erect, somewhat round, somewhat winged, stalkless, at the apex on both sides prolonged into an acumen or erect arm.