A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

perdifolius,-a,-um (adj.A): ‘perdifoil,’ perdifolious, = deciduous, ‘dropping one’s leaves,’ i.e., a plant that drops its leaves [> L. perdere, to lose + folium, leaf; see perditus,-a,-um (part.A)]; opp. evergreen, q.v.

deciduous, q.v.: deciduus,-a,-um (adj.A), 'that which falls down,' falling off or away, shed periodically, not persistent, not evergreen.

NOTE: “Perdifoil,” is translated here, not as a noun, but as an adjective, for “a perdifolious plant.” To create a Latin noun directly from ‘Perdifoil’ probably would cause confusion (i.e. Perdifolium,-ii (s.n.II) or Perdifolia,-ae (s.f.I)}.

“The same species is a perdifoil, or drops its leaves, in one climate, and preserves them in another. Thus, the Passion-flower* of America, and the Jasmine of Malabar, are evergreens in their native climates, but become perdifoils when they are transplanted into Britain, and other northern parts of Europe. On the other hand, many of the perdifoils of cold climates, when transplanted to warmer climates, become evergreens. Thus, the Quince tree is a perdifoil in northern Countries, but becomes an evergreen when transplanted to the south of France, the island of Minorca, and other southern climates. I am assured, that the Currant bushes which were sent from Britain, where they are deciduous, to the island of St. Helena, became, in a short time, evergreens (Barton).