in botany, a species of pubescent, or downy, with which the surface of some plants is covered. The term was invented by Linnæus; and by its application in the Species Plantarum, seems to signify a tuft or bunch of strong hairs terminating the leaves. Meconbryanthemum barbatum furnishes an example.

The word is also often used in composition with some other, to form the trivial names of several plants, as barba joviæ, barba capreæ, &c.