'sparse-flowering' originates from the combination of 'sparse,' meaning 'thinly scattered,' and 'flowering,' meaning 'producing flowers.'

'sparse' comes from the Latin word 'sparsus,' meaning 'scattered,' and 'flowering' is derived from the Old English 'flor,' meaning 'to bloom.'

Initially, 'sparse' meant 'scattered or dispersed,' and 'flowering' meant 'blooming.' Together, they describe a plant with few flowers.