'solitary-flowering' originates from Modern English as a compound of the adjective 'solitary' and the present-participle form 'flowering' (from 'flower'). 'solitary' ultimately traces to Latin 'solitarius' where 'solus' meant 'alone'; 'flower' ultimately traces to Latin 'flos, floris' meaning 'flower'.

'solitary' came into English via Old French/Medieval Latin from Latin 'solitarius' (related to 'solus' = 'alone'). 'flower' entered English through Old French (e.g. 'flor') and Middle English ('flour, flower') from Latin 'flos, floris'. The compound 'solitary-flowering' is a modern English botanical formation combining these elements.

The components originally referred to 'alone' (solitary) and 'flower' respectively; combined in modern botanical usage they specifically describe the habit of producing single (solitary) flowers, a meaning that is descriptive and specialized but straightforward from its parts.