The second (uncapitalized) word in the scientific name of a species, following the name of the genus. This applies only to formal names of plants, fungi and bacteria. In formal names of animals an epithet does not occur (see specific name)
In Cannabis sativa the word sativa is the specific epithet.
The uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun that follows a capitalized genus name in binomial nomenclature and serves to distinguish a species from others in the same genus, as saccharum in Acer saccharum (sugar maple). Also called trivial name