de·cid·u·ous – [dih-sij-oo-uhs]

Adjective:

1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.
3. not permanent; transitory.

Origin:
1650–60;  < Latin dēciduus  tending to fall, falling, equivalent to dēcid ( ere ) to fall off, down ( dē- de-  + -cidere,  combining form of cadere  to fall) + -uus  deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous