A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

forked (Eng.adj.), “having long terminal lobes, like the prongs of a fork; as Ophioglossum pendulum” (Lindley); furcatus,-a,-um (adj.A), q.v. = furciformis,-e (adj.A); “divided into nearly equal branches” (Fernald 1950): furcatus,-a,-um (adj.A), q.v.; bifidus,-a,-um (adj.A): forked, divided into two parts; bifurcatus,-a,-um (adj.A), bifurcus,-a,-um (adj.A), trifurcus,-a,-um (adj.A); dichotomus,-a,-um (adj.A), having divisions always in pairs; forking regularly in pairs; opp. simplex,-icis (adj.B), simple, unbranched, undivided; cf. lituatus,-a,-um (adj.A), (in fungi) forked with the points turned slightly outward;

NOTE: although ‘forked’ is often said to be synonymous with ‘divided,’ or ‘split,’ a fork seems more to be the end result of growth or elongation into (often apical) segments, such as branches, whereas ‘divided, split’ seems to indicate a deterioration or disruption of the integrity of the unit. Hence, ‘dichotomous’ is not ‘forked,’ but ‘cut’ into units; compounds in –fidus, such as bifidus, are not really forked but ‘split into two.’

- frondes simplices aut semel vel bis furcatae (Agardh), the fronds unbranched or once or twice forked.

- apice rotundata aut subtruncata, nonnumquam compressa bi - imo trifurca (S&A), at the apex rounded or somewhat truncated, sometimes compressed, bi- at the lowest part, trifurcate.

- exempla plura simplicia, nonnulla apice compressa bifurca, pauca ramosa (S&A), many specimens unbranched,some compressed at the apex, bifurcate.

- radii in radiis minoribus denuo furcati, rays into lesser rays again forked.

- frons bis terque furcata (Steph.), frond twice and three times forked.

- pileus demum planus , disciformis ; plicis aliis simplicibus , aliis furcatis sulcatus (S&A), the pileus ultimately flat, disc-shaped; some sulcate with unbranched folds, others [with the folds] forked.

- racemis dichotome subpaniculatis (DeCandolle), with the racemes dichotomously subpaniculate.

- ramis semel aut bis dichotomis, with branches once or twice dichotomous (Stearn).

NOTE: many times forked: multifurcatus,-a,-um (adj.A), multifidis,-e (adj.B), multifurcissimus,-a,-um (adj.A), furcosus,-a, -um (adj.A); plurifurcatus,-a,-um (adj.A), plurifidis,-e (adj B).