A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

variable (Eng.adj.), changeable, capable of change: variabilis,-e (adj.B), “not being constant in appearance” (Lindley), varius,-a,-um (adj.A), mobilis,-e (adj.B), varying, changeable, shifting; commutabilis,-e (adj.B), subject to change, changeable; mutabilis,-e (adj.B, used of color); polymorphus,-a,-um (adj.A) 'variable in form, of many forms, variable;' see ludens,-entis (part.B); cf. indeterminate: indeterminatus,-a,-um (part.A); see indefinite; cf. versiformis; see unstable;

NOTE: capable of change, exceedingly variable; possessed of infinite variety: see protean.

- stipitibus longitudinis variabilis, with stipes of variable length.

- labellum mobile angustum cum columna articulatum, medio geniculatum barbatum et appendiculatum (F. Mueller), the labellum variable, narrow, articulated with the column, in the middle geniculate, bearded and appendaged.

- [Hibiscus mutabilis] corolla matutino tempore alba, meridie pallido-incarnata, vespere rosea (DeCandolle), the corolla in the morning time white,at noon pale-flesh-color, in the evening rose-red.

- [alga] rami ramulique apice hyalini in eodem verticillo variae longitudinis (Agardh), branches and branchlets in the same verticil of varible length.

- color seminum in eadem planta variablis, color of seeds on the same plant variable.

Lepanthes variabilis, a species of Orchid named for the wide variability in the shape of the petals and lips present in the material examined.