This word comes from the Latin “hispidum,” meaning “rough, hairy, bristly.” Not only are there lots of hairy plant species, but there also are many specific botanical adjectives to describe them. “Hirsute” describes a plant with a thick covering of stiff hairs, while “hispid” suggests fewer hairs of the same texture. “Canescent” denotes enough soft, short hairs to give the plant a grayish white color, and “tomentose” describes densely matted, woolly hairs.