A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

equitans,-antis (part.B), also (obsol.) equitantivus,-a,-um (adj.A): equitant, conduplicate and overlapping in two ranks, the base of the folded outer leaf clasping the base of the one opposite and this in turn clasping the base of the leaf opposite it; “when the two sides of a leaf are brought together and adhere except at the base, where they enclose an opposite leaf whose sides are in the same state. Hence they look as if they rode on each other” (Lindley);“astride; used of conduplicate leaves which enfold each other in two ranks, as in Iris” (Fernald 1950); lit. 'riding,' the lower leaf when turned horizontally seeming to ride upon the one above it (Stearn); straddling the stem like a rider on horseback; referring to the conduplicate and strongly sheathing leaf bases of Fissidens (C&A) [> L. equito,-avi,-atum 1., to ride];

NOTE: Eng.verb ‘straddle;’ to sit or stand with one leg on either side of.

NOTE: Eng.verb ‘astride;’ with a leg on each side of; extending across; with legs apart.

- folia plura, disticha, vaginis compressis equitantia (B&H), leaves many, in two rows, equitant [i.e. astride or straddling] the compressed sheaths.

- foliis coriaceis v.carnosis, nunc rhìzomate in caulem distiche foliatum elongato, foliis brevibus vaginis subequitantibus, (B&H), with leaves leathery or fleshy, sometimes with a rhizome elongated into a stem distichously foliate, with the leaves short sub-equitant [i.e. somewhat astride or straddling] to the sheaths.

- folia disticha, vaginis compressis equitantia (B&H), leaves in two rows, equitant [i.e. astride], with compressed sheathes.

- folia dum adsint angusta, coriacea, vaginis in caule imbricatis v.regulariter distichis equitantibusque (B&H), the leaves, when present, narrow, leathery, with the sheaths on the stem imbricate or regularly distichous and equitant [i.e. straddling].

- folia sub pseudobulbo pauca v. interdum 0, plana, coriacea v. rarius papyracea, v. in speciebus ebulbosis basi a latere compressa distiche equitantia (B&H), leaves under the pseudobulb few or sometimes 0, flat, leathery or more rarely papery or in species lacking bulbs at the base compressed from the side distichously equitant.

- lobis linearibus altero adscendente apice clavato, 2 demissis pedunculum equitantibus (B&H), with linear lobes, with the one ascending club-shaped at the apex, 2 hanging down [i.e. not ascending], equitanting [i.e. astride or straddling] the peduncle.