A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Vexillum,-i (s.n.II), abl. sg. vexillo, nom. & acc. pl. vexilla; vexillum, the banner, standard,the upper and usually largest petal of a papillionaceous flower, as in peas, sweet peas, species in Astragalus (Leguminosae); "the standard or fifth petal placed at the back of a papilionaceous corolla” (Lindley) [> L. vexillum,-I (s.n.II), a standard, banner, flag]; see standard, wing;

- petala 5, imbricata erecta v. rarius patentia, superius (vexillum) exterius et liberum v. tubo stamineo basi subadhaerens petals 5, imbricate, erect or more rarely spreadium, the upper [sc. petalum] (the vexillum) exterior and free or with the stamineal tube somewhat adherent at the base.

- vexillum nanum v. angustum, the vexillum dwarfed or narrow.

- carina leviter incurva, alis vexilloque longior, the keel lightly incurved, longer than the wings and the vexillum.

- vexillum erectum, in unguem contractum, genitalia fovens (B&H), vexillum erect, contracted into a claw, encircling the genitalia [i.e. sex organs].

Antennaria vexillifera Fern. 'bearing pennants' (Fernald 1950) (Asteraceae), perhaps due to the cauline leaves having broad appendages.

- carina vexillo et alis plus dimidio brevior, the keel shorter by more than half the vexillum and the wings.