 The specific epithet ("plumosa") is derived from the Latin word "pluma" meaning "feather", referring to the feathery sepals.In a revision of the genus "Verticordia" in 1991, Alex George placed this species in subgenus "Verticordia", section "Verticordia", along with "V. crebra", "V. harveyi", "V. helichrysantha", "V. stenopetala", "V. sieberi", "V. pityrhops" and "V. fimbrilepis".He also recognised the following varieties