Roots of Botanical Names: A

Back to Index a- (an-) without, lacking (anacanthus = spineless; amorpha = without a definite form; Arachis = without a rachis, the peanut genus / apetalus = without petals / aphyllus = without leaves / apterus = without a wing) abrdelicate (Abrophyllum = delicate leaved) acanthreferring to a thorn, spines (Acanthus) (acanthoides = Acanthus-like / chrysanthicum = golden-spined) -ace(...) partaking of (rosaceus / rosaceum = rosy) acaulstemless (caul = stem) (acaulis) acephalheadless, without a head (ceph = head) (acephalus) acerbharsh, bitter, stinging (acerbifolia) acerreferring to the genus, Acer, the ancient Latin name of the maple tree (aceroides = Maple-like) acerosneedle-like (acerosus) acetreferring to acid (acetophylla = acid + leaf) aciculreferring to a needle (acicularis = needle-like) acinreferring to a saber (shape) (acinitus / acinaceus) acriacrid, sharp (acris / acrifolia = sharp-leaved) acroreferring to the top of an entity, height (Acrocomia = hair at the top, a palm genus with pinnate leaves) actinreferring to a ray (Actinidia, the Kiwi Fruit; cut one across and see the rayed arrangement of the carpels (ovaries)) (actinophylla = Rayed leaves)

aculeatsting, prickle (aculeatus) acuminatpointed, tapering (acuminatus) acutacute, sharp (acutissima = very pointed / acutangulatus = acute + angle / acutifidus = acutely cut / acutifolius = sharp + leaf / acutus) adto, on, onto (adnatum = joined to / adpressus = pressed against) adenoreferring to a gland (Adenophora = gland-bearing) (adenophylla = glandular leaf) adnatjoined (adnatus) advenadventive (advenuus) aequi- / equiequal (aequinoctialis = equinox, ) aerreferring to the air (aeranthos = air flower) aethiopireferring to Ethiopia - or Africa in general (aethiopium) aestivreferring to summer (aestivus) affinrelated (affinis / affine) ageratreferring to the genus Ageratum (ageratifolia = Ageratum-like leaves) aggregclustered, aggregated (aggregatus) agrreferring to fields or farms (agrarius / agrestis) alatwinged or wing-like (alatus) albwhite (albiflorens = white-flowered / albidum / albomaculatum = whitespotted / albicans / albicaulis = white-stemmed) allireferring to the genus Allium which contains the onion, garlic, leeks, etc. (alliacea)

alpestralpine (alpestris) alpinreferring to alpine regions (alpinus) altaiSiberian (altaicus) alternalternate (alternifolia) altreferring to height (altus / altissimus = very tall) amabillovely (amabilis) amarbitter (amara) amethystiviolet-colored (amethysticus) amoencharming, lovely (amoena) ampelreferring to a vine (Ampelopsis = like a vine) amphiboth, two (amphibius) amphorreferring to an urn, a pitcher (amphoricaulis = stem shaped like a pitcher) amplexiclasping (amplexicaulis = clasping the stem) amplample, large (amplissimus = very large) ampulreferring to a flask (shape) (ampullacea) amurensis hailing from Siberia amygdalalmond-like (amygdalinus) anatolreferring to Asia Minor (anatoliensis) anceps two-edged andireferring to the Andes (andicola / andinus)

andrreferring to the male part, usually the anthers (androgynus = male + female parts, indicating that both male and female flowers are found on the plant) anemoreferring to wind (Anemone = wind flower) angliEnglish (anglicum) anguireferring to a snake (shape) (anguinus) angulreferring to an angle (angularis / angulatus / angulosus) angustnarrow (angustus / angustifolia = narrow leaved) anisunequal (Anisacanthus = unequal thorns) annuannual (annuus) annulringed, annular (annularis / annulatus) anomalanomalous, unusual, abnormal (anomalus) anthreferring to a male part (the anther), - a flower (Anthurium = flower + tail) antiagainst (Antiacantha = against the spine - a bromeliad) antillreferring to the West Indies, Antilles (antillaris) antipodreferring to the Antipodes or the polar regions (antipodus) antiquancient (antiquorus / antiquus) apennreferring to the Apennines Mts. (Italy) (apenninus) apertopen, uncovered, bare (apertus) apiculatwith a point (apiculatus) appendicreferring to an appendage (appendiculatus) applanatum

flattened applicatus joined, attached aqureferring to water (habitat) (aquatica / aquatilis / aqueus) aquileagle-like (aquilegia / aquilinus) arabreferring to Arabia (arabicus) arachn- / aranreferring to spiders (araneosa / arachnoides = like a spider) arborreferring to trees (arborescens / arboricola / arborea) arbusreferring to a tree (arbusculus) archontmajestic, noble (Archontophoenix = majestic (date) palm) arctreferring to a bear (Arctotis = bear's ear) arcuatreferring to a bow (shape) (arcuatus) arecreferring to the genus Areca (palms) which, itself comes from a Malaysian word meaning, a cluster of nuts (arecoides = Areca-like) arenareferring to sand (arenarius) areolwith an aereole, pitted (areolatus) argreferring to silver (argentea / argentatum / argophyllus = silver-leaved / argyraeus) argutsharp, pointed (argutus) aristreferring to a beard (hairy, bristly) (aristatus / aristosus) armaarmed (armatus) aromreferring to odor (aromatica) arrect-

erect (arrectus) articuljointed, articulate (articulatus) arundreferring to a reed (Arundinaria, the giant native reed) (arundinaceus arvenreferring to cultivation (arvensis) ascendens ascending asperrough (aspera / asperata / asper / aspericaulis = rough-stemmed / asperrimus = very rough) assimillike unto (assimilis) assurgsprawling, clambering (assurgens) astrreferring to a star (Astrocaryum, star-nut, referring to the markings on the seeds of this palm genus) -astr(...) like unto (liliastrum = like a lily) ater black atrextreme, dark (atropurpurea = deep purple) (atratus = black / atrorubens = dark red / atrovirens = dark green) attenuattenuated, drawn-out to a point (attenuatus) atticGreek (atticum) augustaugust, noble, majestic (augusta) aurantreferring to the color orange (Citrus aurantifolia, the lime (go figger!); aurantifolia = orange-leaved / auranticus) auregolden (aureus / aurespina = golden-spined) aurireferring to an ear (shape) (auritum / auriculatum) austr-

southern, Australian (australis) avireferring to a bird, birdlike (avium / aviculare) axillreferring to axils (axillaris) azurreferring to the color blue (azureum)

Roots of Botanical Names: B

Back to Index baccreferring to berries (baccata / baccifera = berry-bearing) balearreferring to the Balearic Islands (balearica) bambusreferring to bamboo (bambusoides = like bamboo) barbarforeign (barbarus) barbadensis native to Barbados barbatbearded (barbatus) barbireferring to beards or barbs (barbigera = bearing barbs) basilroyal (basilicum) ALSO basal (basilaris) bellhandsome, pretty (bellus / bellatus) benghalensis native to the State of Bengal in India betulreferring to the beech tree genus, Betula, the ancient Latin name of the tree (betuloides = like a beech) bi-

referring to the number two, twice (bipinnatus = twice-pinnate / bicarinatus = two-keeled / bicornis = two-horned / bicolor = two- colored / bifidus = two + cut / bifurcatus = two + forked) -bi(...) referring to life (Dendrobium = tree + life, because this orchid genus is epiphytic on trees) biennbiennial (biennis) bifurcattwice-forked (bifurcata) blandmild, pleasant (blanda) -blast(...) referring to an embryo (Rhopaloblaste = club-shaped embryo) blepharreferring to an eyelash, therefore, fringed (blepharophylla = fringed leaves) bombycreferring to silk (bombycina) bongood (bonus / bona-nox = good/beautiful night) borealnorthern (borealis) botryreferring to a cluster (botryoides = cluster-like) brachreferring to a branch or an arm (brachiatus) brachyshort, squat (brachypodum = short foot) bractreferring to bracts (bracteata) - a bract is a leaf-like OR petal-like structure beneath the true petals of some flowers (bracteosum) brevishort (brevis / brevicaulis = short-stemmed / brevispina = short-spined / brevipes = short-footed, stalked / brevirostris = short- beaked / brevisetus = short-bristled) brunbrown (brunneus) bryreferring to moss (bryoides) bucephalus

ox-headed bulbreferring to a bulb (bulbosa / bulbifera = bulb-bearing) bullatswollen (bullatus)

Roots of Botanical Names: C

Back to Index caesreferring to the color blue (caesia) caespitufted, growing in a clump (cespitosus) caffrreferring to a region of S. Africa calbeautiful (calophylla = beautiful leaf) calabrireferring to S. Italy (calabricus) calamreferring to a reed (calamifolia / calamus) calathreferring to a basket (Calathea) calcaratreferring to spurs (calcaratus) calcarereferring to lime (calcareus) calceolreferring to slipper (shape) (calceolatus) callosthick, calloused (callosum) calycreferring to a flower's calyx (calycina) calyptreferring to a covering (Euphoria = carried well) cambr-

referring to Wales campanreferring to a bell (Campanula) (campanulatum) campestrreferring to fields (campestris) canalreferring to lines, grooves (canaliculatus) canariensis referring to the Canary Islands - native to candihoary, white (candicans / candida) cantabrreferring to a part of Spain (cantabrius) cana referring to the color white or gray (cana) canescens gray (or white) and somewhat hairy capensreferring to the Cape of Good Hope (or ANY cape region) (capensis / capense) capillreferring to a hair, thread (capillarius / capillare / capilliformis = formed like a hair / capillipes+ = hair-like foot/stalk) capitreferring to the head (usually to the flower cluster) (capitatum) cappadocreferring to a part of Eastern Europe and Western Asia (cappadocicum) caprreferring to a goat (capricornis = goat's horn / pes-caprae = foot + goat / caprea) capreoltwining, twisting (Bignonia capreolatus) caput a head (caput-medusae = Medusa's head) cardreferring to a heart (Cardiospermum = heart seed) -card(...) referring to a heart (Anacardium, the cashew genus, referring to the heartshaped fruit) caric-

referring to a part of Asia Minor (carica / Ficus carica = the common fig) carinreferring to a keel (carinata) carnreferring to flesh (usually the color) (carnea incarnata / carnosa) carolinreferring to the Carolinas (caroliniensis) OR in honor of the name Charles or Carol) -carp(...) referring to a fruit (megacarpus = big fruited / macrocarpon = large fruit) carpathreferring to the Carpathian Mts. Region of Europe cartilagreferring to cartilege (cartilagineum) caryreferring to a nut (Caryota, the fishtail palm genus) cathartcathartic (cathartica) cathayreferring to China (cathayensis) caudreferring to a tail (caudatus) caulreferring to a stem (cauliflorus = bearing flowers on the stem / caulescens) -caul(...) referring to a stem, trunk (albicaulis = white-stemmed) cepreferring to a head (Cephalanthus = flowers in a head / -cep(...) referring to a head (multiceps = many-headed) cerreferring to wax (cerifera = wax-bearing; the genus Cereus, because of the wax-candle body shapes of most of the species / cerefolium = wax-leaved) cerareferring to a horn (ceratiformis = in the form of a horn / platyceras = broad/flat horn) cerasreferring to a cherry (cherry-like) (laurocerasus = specific name of the Cherrylaurel, the genus being Prunus (ancient Latin for the plum)) cerc-

referring to a tail (Cercocarpus = tailed fruit, the Mountain Mahogany genus, in the Rose family, whose fruit (hips) DO have little tails) cernubending, drooping (cernuus) ceylanreferring to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) chaenopen, split (Chaenomeles = split fruit) chaetreferring to a hair or bristle (chaetophylla = bristle-like leaves) chalcedonreferring to a part of Asia Minor, including Greece and Turkey chamaedwarf, low (Chamaedorea = dwarf gift, a palm genus, refer- ring to the fact that most species are of short stature and, therefore, their fruit ((the gift)) is found at relatively low heights) cheil-/ chilreferring to a lip or margin (Chilopsis = like a lip, referring to the flaring, trumpet-shaped flowers) (Cheilanthes = lip + flower) chenreferring to a goose (Chenopodium = goose + foot) -chi(...) referring to snow (Hedychium = sweet snow referring to the fragrant white flowers of this member of the ginger family) chinensis referring to China chitreferring to a covering, a cloak (Rhodochiton = rosy covering) -chlamy(...) referring to clothes (chlamydea = clothed, covered) chlorreferring to the color green (chloranthus = green- flowered) chrysyellow, golden (Chrysanthemum = golden flower) (chrysocoma = golden hair) -cid(...) referring to the act (or art) of killing (Piscidea = fish + kill, the Fish Poison Tree) ciliciliate, hairy (ciliatus)

cinctgirded, girdled (cinctus) cinerreferring to ashes (ash-colored) (Cineraria refers to the ash-colored leaves) cinnabarreferring to cinnabar, a reddish mineral (cinnabarinus) circincoiled (circinnatus) cirrhreferring to a thread, a tendril (Cirrhopetalum, an orchid, = tendril-like petals) cissreferring to an ivy (Cissus) citrreferring to citrus (citrifolia = leaves having a citrus-like odor / citrinum) cladreferring to a branch (Cladanthus = branch + flower) clavreferring to a club (clavatus) cleist- / cleisclosed (Cleisostoma = closed mouth, referring to the flower shape / Cleistocactus = closed + cactus) clininclined (Clinostigma = inclined stigma) clytbeautiful, marvelous (Clytostoma = beautiful mouth, re- ferring to the flaring, trumpet-shaped flowers of this genus) coccreferring to a seed or berry (coccifera = bearing berries / Chiococca = snow berry) coccinred (coccineus) cochlreferring to a spoon, a spade (Cochlearia, referring to leaf shape) (cochlearis) cochlireferring to a spiral (Cochliostema = spiral stamens) cocoreferring to a monkey (fr. Portuguese) (Cocos nucifera = the coconut palm, whose nut (fruit) with its three eyes looks to some like a monkey's face nucifera = nut-bearing)

-codon referring to a bell (Platycodon = broad bell-shaped) coelhollow (Coelogyne = hollow female part) coelestreferring to the sky, blue (coelestina) caerulbluish (cerulea as in Passiflora caerulea, the mostly blue-flowered Passion Vine / caerulescens / caeruleus) caesreferring to the color blue-gray (caesium) caespitostufted, clumped (caespitosus) collinreferring to a hill (habitat) (collinus) columbreferring to a dove (columbaria) com- -com(...) referring to a hair (Acrocomia = top + hair, referring to the palms viewed from a distance) (comosus) communcommon (communis) commutreferring to change, changeable (commutatus) conwith (having) (concolor) confertcrowded (confertifolia = crowded leaves) conireferring to a cone (coniferus) conjugjoined together (conjugatus) conoidcone-like (conoideus) contorttwisted, contorted (contortus) coralcoral, red (corallinus) cordreferring to a heart (cordifolia = heart-shaped leaf)

corereferring to an insect (Coreopsis = like a bug) corireferring to leather (coriaceus) cornreferring to a horn (tereticornis = cylindrical- horned / cornuta) coronreferring to a crown (coronata coronaria) corsreferring to Corsica (corsicus) cortreferring to bark (corticosa / excorticata = off + bark, referring to exfoliating bark) coruscreferring to vibration, shaking corymbreferring to a corymb, a broad, + or - flat-topped flower cluster (corymbosus) corynreferring to a club (shape) (corynocalyx = club-shaped calyx) coryphreferring to the top (apex) of an entity (Corypha, a palm genus whose immense members produce flowers only once, in a huge panicle at the very tip of the trunk, and then the tree dies) corysreferring to a helmet (Corysanthus) costreferring to ribs (costatus) cotylreferring to a cup (Cotyledon, a genus of succulents whose leaves are, in general, concave) -cotyl(...) referring to a cup crassthick (Crassulaceae, a whole family of succulent (thick- stemmed) plants, which includes the genus Crassula) (crassifolia = thick-leaved) crenscalloped, crenulate (crenulatum) crepidreferring to a sandal (crepidatum)

crepitreferring to rattles (crepitans) crepuscreferring to twilight (crepuscularia) cretreferring to chalk or the island of Crete crinithairy (crinitum) crispcurled, crinkled (crispus) cristreferring to a crest (cristata crista-galli = crest of a cock / cock's comb) crocreferring to the crocus (yellow) (crocata / crocea /) crotalreferring to rattles (Crotalaria, a papilionaceus genus whose dry seed pods are like castanets) crucreferring to a cross (Cruciferae, a genus of plants, includ- many veggies, the petals of whose flowers are so evenly distributed as to form a cross) cruentreferring to blood (cruenta) crypthidden, not obvious (cryptanthus = hidden flower) cuculreferring to a hood (cucullatus) cultrreferring to a knife (shape) (cultratus / cultratus) cunereferring to a wedge (shaped) (cuneiformis) cuprreferring to copper (color) (cuprea) cupressreferring to a cypress (cupressoides-like) cuspidreferring to a cusp or point (cuspidata) cyanreferring to the color blue (cyaneus) cyath-

referring to a cup (cyathiforme = cup-shaped / cyathiphorum = cupbearing) cyclreferring to a circle (Cyclanthera = circle of anthers) cycn- / cygn- / cynreferring to a swan (cygniformis / Polycynis = many swans, referring to the flowers of this genus of orchids) cylreferring to a cylinder (cylindriata) cymbreferring to a boat (shape) (cymbiformis) cynreferring to a dog (Cynoglossum = dog's tongue) cymreferring to a cyme (a broad, flat-topped flower cluster) (cymosa) cyphoreferring to a hump, a tumor, a wart cyprreferring to copper (cypreus) - or a slipper (Cypr- ipedium, the Lady-Slipper genus of orchids) cyrtreferring to a curve (Cyrtostachys = a curved spike (of flowers)) cystreferring to a cyst or bladder (Cystacanthus = bladder + thorn)

Roots of Botanical Names: D

Back to Index dactylreferring to a finger (Phoenix dactylifera, the date palm, = finger-bearing, referring to shape of the fruit cluster) daemonreferring to a spirit, a demon (Daemonorops = demon shrub, a palm with spines) dasy-

thick (Dasystachys = thick spike (of flowers)) defrom, out of, off (decorticans = off + skin, therefore, peeling bark) dealbwhitish (dealbata) debilweak (debiliformis = weak form) decareferring to the number ten (decapetalus = ten-petalled) decipdrooping, deceptive, falling (decipiens) declindeclined, drooping (declinatus) decordecorative (decora) decumbreclining, prostrate, decumbent (decumbens) decurliterally 'running downwards,' usually meaning that the leaf 'runs down,' i.e., is joined to the stem of the plant (decurrens) deflexbent downwards (deflexus) delphreferring to the dolphin (Delphinium, whose flowers supposedly resemble dolphins) delectchosen, desirable, tasty (delectus) deltoidtriangular (deltoidea) dendrreferring to a tree (Dendrocalamus = tree + reed, the great giant tropical bamboo genus) dentreferring to a tooth (dentata) denudnaked (denudatus) dependhanging (dependens) -derm(...) referring to skin, theredore bark (leucodermis = white- bark)

desmreferring to a bond, or band (Desmoncus = band + hook, referring to the barbed leaves of this genus) direferring to the number two (diacanthus = two-spined / dioica = two houses, indicating that the flowers are of separate sexes and found on different plants) (dipterocarpus = two + wing + fruit) dichottwo-branched (dichotomus) dictyreferring to a net (Dictyogramma = net-like + lines) didydouble, twinned (Didymocarpus = twin fruit) (didyma) digitreferring to fingers (Digitalis, the shape of the flowers supposedly resembling the finger of a glove) (digitata) dilatspread out, expanded (dilatatus) diosreferring to a god or divinity (Diospyros = god + fruit, the persimmon) dipldouble (Diplothemium = double-sheathed) disreferring to the number two or to a difference (discolor = (two-colored) distichreferring to two ranks (as in the arrangement of leaves); (distichum) diurnreferring to daytime (diurnum) divaridivergent, spreading (divaricatus) divergensdivergent, wide-spreading diversvariable (diversiflora = variable-flowered) dividivided (divisus) dodectwelve (dodecanthus = twelve-spined) domesticdomestic, cultivated (domestica)

-dont(...) referring to a tooth (macrodonta = large-toothed) -dor(...) referring to a gift (Haemodorum = blood gift) doryreferring to a spear, lance (Doryanthes = lance-flower) dracreferring to a dragon (Dracaena draco = the dragon tree of the Canary Islands) drosreferring to dew (Drosera, the sundew genus) drupreferring to a berry-like fruit (drupifera = fruit -bearing / drupacea) dryreferring to an oak, wooden (Dryopteris, the wood-fern genus) dubdoubtful, dubious (dubius) dulcsweet, tender (dulcis) dumosbushy (dumosus) dupldouble (duplicatus) durdurable hard, woody (durabilis)

Roots of Botanical Names: E

Back to Index ewithout, (emarginatus = without a margin) ALSO out of, out from (erumpens = breaking out of) ebenreferring to ivory (ebenaceus) echin-

referring to a bristle, prickle, spine (hedgehog) (Echino- cereus, a cactus genus) eduledible (edulis) elaereferring to the olive (elaeiformis = shpaed like an olive) elattall (elata) elegreferring to elegance (elegantissima) elephareferring to an elephant (Phytelephas = Elephant Plant, a palm genus noted for the hard, white endosperm of the seeds, which can be worked like ivory) ensreferring to a sword (ensiformis = formed like a sword / ensifolia = sword + leaf / ensata) -ense native to (canariense = native to the Canary Islands) -ensis native to (canadensis) entomreferring to insects (entomophilus = insect-loving) epiupon (Epigaea = on the ground) equreferring to horses (equinus) aequatorreferring to equatorial regions (aequatorialis) equin- / equisreferring to horses (Equisetum, the horsetail genus) (equisetifolia) eremsolitary, deserted (therefore usually refers to a desert) (Eremurus = desert + tail) eri- / erioreferring to wool (eriospatha = hairy spathe / eriocarpa = wooly fruit) ericareferring to the genus Erica, the Heath (ericoides) erinareferring to spines, a hedgehog (Erinacea) eros-

jagged (erosus) erubescens retiring, blushing - usually referring to color - literally, emitting rose-color erythrred (Erythrina, the tropical coral-tree) esculedible (esculentum) euwell, good, normal, complete (Eucalyptus, well and calypt (kalypt, calypt = covered, referring to the seed capsules) (eumorpha = well-formed) exout of, from (Exorrhiza = from the root) exaltvery high, tall, lofty (exaltata) excelexalted, lofty, high, tall (excelsus / excelsior) excicut (excisus) exigusmall, lowly (exiguus) eximdistinguished (eximia)

Roots of Botanical Names: F

Back to Index fabareferring to a bean (fabaceus) falcreferring to a sickle (shaped) (falcatus) farinreferring to starch or wheat (farinacea / farinosa) fasciatflat (fasciatus) fascicul-

clustered (fasciculatus) febrireferring to fever (febrifugus = fever + flight, driving away fever) fenestrreferring to a window (fenestralis) -fer(...) bearing, producing (coccifera = bearing berries; resiniferous; nucifera = nutbearing; indigofera = indigo-bearing) feroferocious (Ferocactus = ferociously-spined cactus) (ferox is the Lat. adjective) ferrreferring to iron, rusty (color) (ferruginea) fertreferring to fruit, fruitful (fertilis) festucreferring to the genus Festuca, a grass, therefore grass- like (festucoides) ficreferring to the genus Ficus (ficifolia = figleaf) (ficus-indica = fig of India) (ficaria / ficoides = like a fig) -fid(...) parted, divided (multifida = many-parted; bipinnatifida = twice/doublypinnately cut/divided) filireferring to a thread (filifera = thread-bearing / filipes = hair + stalk/foot/ filipendulum = thread + drooping) filicreferring to ferns (filicifolia = fern-like leaves); the noun is filix = fern (filixfemina = fern + woman, the lady-fern) fimbrreferring to a fringe (fimbriatus) fissisplit (fissifolia) fistulhollow tubelike (fistularis / fistulosa) flabellfan-like (flabelliformis = formed like a fan) flaccidsoft (flaccida) flagellreferring to a whip (flagelliforma)

flammreferring to a flame (color) (flammeus) flavreferring to yellow (flavescens / flavum / flavida) flexpliable, crooked, bent (flexuosus = bent) flocreferring to wool (floccosus) flora flower (floribunda = abundantly-flowering) fluifloating (fluidans) fluvreferring to a river (fluvialis) foetid- fetidstinking (foetida) folireferring to leaves (foliosa) -foli(...) referring to leaves (latifolia = flat-leaved) follreferring to follicles (follicularis) -form(...) in the form of .... (fusiforma = spindle-shaped) formosbeautiful (formosa / formosissima = most beautiful) NB: formosana usually refers to Formosa (Taiwan)) formosanreferring to Formosa (Taiwan) (formosanum) -frag(...) referring to a break or rupture (rupifragum = rock- breaker) fraxreferring to the ash tree (fraxifolia = ash-foliaged / fraxinifolia) frondreferring to a leaf (frondosa) -frons referring to a leaf (frond) (simplicifrons) frigidreferring to cold regions (frigida) fruct-

referring to fruit (esp. the grape) (fructifera = fruit- bearing) frutreferring to a shrub (shrubby) (fruticosa / fruticans = shrubby) fucpainted (fucatus) - ALSO referring to a red alga plant in shape (fucoidea) fulgshining, excessive (fulgens) fulginblack, dark in color (fulginosa) fulvreferring to the color yellow (orange) (fulvescens, fulvida / fulvus) furcforked. cleft (furcatus) fuscbrown, reddish-brown (fuscus) fusireferring to a spindle (fusiformis)

Roots of Botanical Names: G

Back to Index -gae(...) referring to the earth, ground (hypogaea = underground) -gal(...) referring to milk (Polygala = many milks, referring to a myth that the plants increase the flow of mother's milk) gallreferring to Gaul (France), Gallic (gallicus) ALSO referring to a cock (rooster) (crus-galli = cock-spur) gamunited (married) (gamopetala = joined petals) (polygama = many married, meaning, in a botanical sense, that the flowers are of both sexes on a single plant) gastreferring to a stomach, a belly, swollen (Gasteria, a a genus of succulents, the appearance pf which is somewhat a swollen stem) gemin-

referring to twins (geminiflora) gemmreferring to jewels or buds (gemmiflorus) georeferring to the earth, the ground (geoides) -ger(...) bearing (cornigera = with a horn) gibbswollen on one side (the gibbous moon) (gibbosa) gigreferring to giants or immensity (gigantea) glabrsmooth (glabrescens) gladreferring to a sword (Gladiolus, because of the leaves) glandreferring to a gland (glandulifera = gland-bearing) glaucmilky, with a bloom, greyish (glaucescens / glaucinus) globreferring to a ball or sphere (globulus) glomreferring to a cluster (glomerata) glorglorious (gloriosa) glossreferring to a tongue (shape) (Ophioglossum = snake's tongue - a fern) glutreferring to glue (glutinosa) glycsweet (in taste) (Glycyrrhiza, the licorice plant, = sweet root) -gon(...) referring to an angle (Polygonum = many-angled/jointed) (chrysogonum = golden angle (star)) gonireferring to an angle (Goniopterus = angle-winged) gongylrounded, swollen (gongyloides) gossyp-

referring to the genus Gossypium, the cotton plant (gossypifolium = cotton plant + leaf) gracilgraceful, slender (gracilis / gracilipes = slender + foot / stalk) graecpertaining to Greece (Greek) (graeca) graminreferring to grass (graminifolia = grass-like leaves) grammreferring to a line / written upon (Grammatophyllum = written-on (lined) leaves) grandlarge (grandiceps = large-headed) granulgranular, grainy (granulosus) -graph(...) referring to writing (xerographica = dried writing) gratwonderful, pleasing, likeable (gratus gratissima) graveolheavy (often referring to odor) (graveolens) grisreferring to the color gray (griseus) gummreferring to gum (gummifera = gum-bearing) guttreferring to a spot or a drop (the genus Guttifera whose leaves exude water)) (guttatus = spotted) gymnnaked, bare (gymnocladus = bare-branched) gynreferring to the female sex (Gynura tailed woman - just wanted to see if you were awake! -- a stigma with a tail) (monogyna = single female sexual part, a single pistil) gyrrevolving, gyrating (gyrans)

Roots of Botanical Names: H

Back to Index haemareferring to blood (Haemanthus = blood flower) (haematodes) halreferring to salt (halodendron = salt + tree) hamreferring to a hook (hamosus) haploreferring to the number one (haplophylla = one-leaved) harpreferring to a sickle (shape) (harpophyllus = sickle-shaped leaf) hastreferring to a spear (hastatum) hebepubescent (hebecarpus = hairy-fruited) hedysweet, fragrant (Hedycarya = sweet nut) helireferring to the sun (Helianthus = sun flower) helicreferring to a spiral, a coil (helicoides) helveticreferring to Switzerland (helvetica) hemeroreferring to a day (Hemerocallis = beautiful for a day) hemihalf (hemisphaericus = half a sphere) hepatreferring to the liver (shape) (hepaticus) heptareferring to the number seven (heptaphyllum = seven- leaved) herbnot woody (herbaceous) (herbacea) hesperreferring to the evening or the west (Hesperaloe = Western Aloe) heter-

variable, different, not-alike (Heteranthera = having unlike anthers in the flowers) hexareferring to the number six (hexagonus = six-angled) hibernreferring to winter (hibernalis) OR Ireland (hibernicus) hippreferring to a horse (Hippocrepis = horse-shoe) hirss- / hirtreferring to hair (hirtellus = somewhat hairy) / (hirsutum) hispidreferring to bristles (hispidula) hortreferring to a garden (cultivated) (hortensis / hortulanum) humillow, dwarf (humilis / humile) hyaltransparent, translucent (hyalina) hyem- / hiemreferring to winter (hyemalis) hydrreferring to water (Hydrocotyle = water cup) hylreferring to wood (Hylocereus, a climbing, night- blooming cactus with eventual woody stems) hymenreferring to a membrane (Hymenocallis = beautiful membrane, referring to the membrane which connects the base of the anthers in this genus of the spider lily) hyoreferring to a hog/swine (Hyophorbe = swine food) hyperabove, far, extreme (hyperborealis = of the far north) hypounder, beneath (hypophyllus = under the leaf / hypoleuca = white beneath) hystrbristly (hystrix) Roots of Botanical Names: I

Back to Index iberreferring to Spain (Iberis) -ifoli(...) this part is used very much in combination with parts of generic names (as a prefix) to mean leaves like [x] where [x] is the generic word-part prefix (aconitifolium = leaves like Aconitum) (ulmifolia = leaves like Ulmus, the elm) ignreferring to fire (color) (igneus) ilicreferring to the holly tree (plant) (illicifolia = holly-leaved) illicreferring to fragrance/seduction (Illicium) illustrbright, notable (illustris) illyrreferring to Greece (illyrica) imbricatshingled, overlapping (imbricatus) immaculspotless, immaculate (immaculata) imperregal, imperious (imperator / imperialis) impressunken (impressum) inun..., not .... without (inermis = unarmed / inapertum = not + open, therefore closed) inaequalunequal (inaequalifolius = unequal leaves) incanhairy, hoary (incana) incarnreferring to flesh (colored) (incarnatus) inciscut (incisus) incurvbent inward (incurvatus) indent-

indented (indentata) indIndian (the subcontinent) (indica) -ind(...) referring to India (Morinda = mulberry + India) indivisundivided (indivisus) inermunarmed (inermis) infectorreferring to dyes and the process of dyeing (infectoria) infestunsafe (infesta) inflatswollen (inflatus) ingens massive, tremendous (size) insignremarkable, distinguished (insignis / insigne) integentire (integrifolia = entire (margin)-leaved / integerrimus = very complete, entire) intorsturned inwards (intorsus) involucrreferring to an involucre (involucrata) ionreferring to a violet or the color (Ionopsis = violet-like - an orchid) iridreferring to the genus Iris, Gr. for rainbow (iridiflorus = iris-flowered) isa- / isoequal, like (Isochilus = equal lips - an orchid) (isophylla = equal (sized) leaves) -issim(...) most, very (viridissima = very green / altissima = VERY tall) italreferring to Italy (italica)

Roots of Botanical Names: J

Back to Index japonreferring to Japan (japonica) javareferring to Java (javanicus) jubacrested (jubatus) juncreferring to a reed, Juncus (juncifolia = Juncus-leaved)

Roots of Botanical Names: L

Back to Index labireferring to a lip (labiata) lachryreferring to a tear (like in drop) (lachrymosa) lacintorn, cut, incised (laciniatus) lactreferring to milk (lactiflorus = milk-colored flowers) lacunreferring to a hole or pit (lacunosa) lacustrreferring to a lake (lacustris) laetbright (laetum) laevismooth (laevigatus / laevis /laeve) lagenreferring to a bottle (Lagenaria, a gourd genus) lanreferring to wool (lanata, lanosus) lancreferring to a lance (lanceolatus) lanig-

referring to wool (lanigerus = wool-bearing) lanugreferring to wool or down (lanuginosus) laricireferring to the genus Larix, the Larch tree (laricifolia = leaves like a larch) lasirough, hairy (lasiocarpus = rough fruit) laterlateral, referring to a side (lateriflora = flowers on the side) lateritreferring to a brick (color) (lateritium) latibroad, wide - horizontally (latifolia = wide-leaved) laurireferring to the Laurel tree (laurifolius = leaves like the laurel) lavandreferring to the genus Lavandula, the Lavender plant which name, itself, comes from the Latin word to wash, the plant having been used since ancient times in the bath water (lavandulacea) laxloose, open (laxifolia = loosely/sparsely-leaved) (laxa) leia- / leiosmooth (leiocarpus = smooth fruit) lentireferring to a lens (lentiformis = in the form of a lens) leonreferring to a lion (Leontopodium, the Edelweiss, = lion's foot) lepreferring to scales (Lepidium = little scale) -lep(...) referring to a scale (Microlepia = small scale - a fern) leprscurfy (leprosepala = scurfy petalled) leptthin, slender (Leptocodon = slender bell) leucreferring to the color white (Leucadendron = silver tree) (leuconeura = whitenerved) lignreferring to wood (lignosa)

ligulreferring to a strap (shape) limn- / limreferring to mud or marshes (Limodorum = marsh gift) linelinear (linearis) ALSO meaning lined (lineatus) lingreferring to a tongue (lingua / lingularia) lirireferring to a lily (Liriodendron = lily + tree) -liri(...) referring to a lily (Dasylirion, thick lily) lithoreferring to a stone (Lithospermum = stone seed) littorreferring to a shore (sea) (littoralis) lobreferring to lobes - as a suffix it usually refers to a fruit lomareferring to a margin (Lomatophyllum = margined leaf) lonchreferring to a lance (Lonchocarpus = lance-fruit) longilong (longipes = long foot) lophreferring to a crest (Lophophora (the Peyote) = crest-bearing) lorreferring to a strap (Loranthus = strap-flower) lorireferring to a strap (lorifolius = strap-leaved) lucidreferring to light; bright, clear, lustrous (lucida) ludovicreferring to King Louis [x], therefore, by extension, to the State of Louisiana (ludoviciana) lunareferring to the moon (usually in crescent shape) (Lunaria, referring to the moon-shaped seed pods / lunatus = crescent-shaped) luridpale, sallow (luridus)

lusitanreferring to Portugal (lusitanica) lutereferring to the color yellow (esp. light yellow) (lutescens / lutea) lycreferring to a wolf (Lycopersicum ((Lycopersicon)) = wolf-peach - the tomato; the derivation is probably due to the fact that the fruit was once considered poisonous) lyrreferring to a lyre (shape) (lyrata)

Roots of Botanical Names: M

Back to Index macrlarge (macranthus = large-flowered) maculreferring to a spot (maculatus) magellanreferring to the area of the Straits of Maggellan (magellanica) magnbig, magnificent (magnificus / magnimama = big mama, actually mammary glands, the protuberances on a species of Mammillaria) majmajor, larger (major / majus) majalreferring to the month of May (flowering) (majalis) malabarreferring to an area of India (malabaricum) malacsoft (Malacocarpus = soft-fruited) (malacodendron = soft + tree) malvreferring to the genus Malva, the Mallow (malvacea) mamm-

referring to breasts or nipples (mammifera = breast- bearing breasts or nipples) (Mammillaria, a great genus of cactus, because all the bodies of the plants bear many nipple-like protuberances) manicreferring to a covering of dense hairs, a sleeve (manicata) marginreferring to a margin (marginalis) marilandreferring to Maryland (marilandica) marinreferring to the sea marinum) maritreferring to the seashore (maritima) marmmarbled, marbled (marmoratus / marmoreum) mas male - usually referring to robustness of the plant, rather than sex of the flowers -- sexist! mauritreferring to North Africa (mauritania) maximlargest (maxima) maxilreferring to a jaw (maxillaris medulreferring to marrow, the center, the pith (medullaris) megalarge (megacarpa = large-fruited / megalanthus = large-flowered) melablack (Melaleuca = black (trunk) + white (branches)) mel- / mellreferring to honey (melliodora = honey-scented) (Melianthus = honey flower) -meles referring to an apple, or any fruit (Chaenomeles = split + fruit) meloreferring to a melon (meloformis = melon shaped) menreferring to a month and, by extension, the moon (Menispermum = moon seed)

meniscreferring to a crescent (meniscifolius = crescent- shaped foliage) -mer(...) referring to parts (trimera = three parts) meridreferring to noon (meridionalis = mid-day bloomer) mesmixed, middle (Mesembryanthemum = mid-day flower) metrreferring to the center (heart) of an entity (Metroxylon = heartwood) micareferring to mica, glittering (micans) micreferring to mica or glitter (micans) millereferring to the number 1000 or a very large number (millefolius = very many leaves) mimreferring to a mime (Mimosa, because of the closing up of the leaflets in many species - also Mimulus, because the flowers are supposedly similar to grinning faces - by extension, a monkey or an ape: Mimusops = like a monkey) minax forbidding, threatening (like thorns) miniatof a reddish color (miniata) minimvery small (minimus) minor / minus smaller minutvery small (minutus) mirabwonderful (Mirabilis, the Four-O'Clock genus) miscreferring to a stem (Miscanthus = stem flower) mitis mild, gentle, unarmed mitrreferring to a turban, mitre (mitrocarpus = mitre-shaped fruit)

modestmodest, unaffected, usually means unadorned (modesta) moldavreferring to Rumania (moldavicus) mollsoft (hairy) (mollis / mollissima / molle) moluccreferring to the East Indies monreferring to the number one (Monanthes = single-flowered) (monophylla = one leaf) monilreferring to necklace (monilifera = necklace-bearing) monstmonstrous, abnormal (Monstera, because of the unusual, cut leaves) montreferring to a mountain (montanus) montireferring to mts. (monticolus) morreferring to the genus Morus, the mulberry -mord(...) to bite (Momordica, referring to the appearance of the seeds) -morph(...) referring to form (polymorpha = many forms / callimorphum = beautifullyformed) moschreferring to musk (odor) (Moschosma = musk-like odor / moschata) mucronreferring to a point (usually in shape of leaf) (mucronatus) multimany (multiflora = many-flowered / multicaulis = many-trunked) munitreferring to defense (with thorns, prickles, etc.) (munitus) murareferring to a wall (muralis) muricrough, knobby (muricata) mus- / myos-

referring to a mouse (Myosotis = mouse ear - the Forget -Me-Not genus, in reference to the mousy leaves muscreferring to musk (Muscari, because of the musky odor of the flowers of M. moschatum) ALSO referring to a fly (muscivorus = fly-eating) mutabreferring to change, variability (mutabilis) muticblunt (mutica) myrreferring to myrrh (Myristica, the nutmeg genus, because of the odor) myrinumberless, too many to count, myriad (Myriocephalus = with a myriad of heads) myrmecreferring to ants (myrmecophilus = beloved of ants) myrtreferring to the myrtle genus, Myrtus (Myrtillocactus = myrtle-berried cactus) myrtifolia = myrtle-leaved)

Roots of Botanical Names: N

Back to Index nandwarf (Nannorhops = dwarf bush) (nanus) natfloating, swimming (natans) navreferring to a ship (navicularis) nemreferring to a thread (Nemastylis = thread-like styles (of the flower) nemorreferring to the woods (nemoralis / nemorum) neonew (Agave neo-mexicana) nepalensreferring to Nepal (nepalensis / nepalense)

nephrreferring to a kidney (shape) (Nephrolepis = kidney- shaped scale - the spore cases of this genus of ferns) nerireferring to the genus Nerium, the oleander (neriifolia = oleander-shaped leaf) nervosreferring to a nerve (nervosus) nevareferring to mts., Nevada, Sierra Nevada (nevadensis) nicitblinking, moving (nicitans) nidreferring to a nest (nidus / nidularia) nigrreferring to the color black (nigrescens nigricans) niloreferring to the river Nile niphreferring to snow (niphophilus = snow-loving) nitshining (nitens / nitida) nivreferring to snow or the color white (nivea / nivalis) nobilnoble, renowned (nobilissimus = most noble / nobile) noctreferring to the night (nocturnum) nodreferring to a node (nodosus) nolithe negative imperative (noli-tangere = touch-me-not) notmarked, notable (notabilis) nothofalse (Nothofagus = false Beech tree) novnew (novae-zelandica = New Zealand) nubreferring to a cloud (nubicola)

nucreferring to a nut (as in Rifflea nucoides var. obesiformis) nudnaked (nudicaulis = naked stem) numreferring to coins (shape) (numismatus / nummularium) nutans nodding nyctreferring to the night (Nyctanthes = night flower)

Roots of Botanical Names: O

Back to Index obreverse, inverse, upside down, etc. (obovatus) obesfat (obesus) obfusccloudy, confused (obfuscatus) obliqoblique, slanting (obliqua) oblongoblong (surprise!) (oblongifolia = oblong leaves) occiwestern (occidentalis) ochryellowish (Ochrocarpos = yellow fruit) octreferring to the number eight (Octomeria = eight parts - an orchid) oculreferring to an eye (oculiforma = in the shape of an eye / oculatum) odontreferring to a tooth (Odontoglossum = toothed tongue) -odon(...) referring to a tooth (Leontodon = lion's tooth)

oenreferring to a vine, esp. the grape vine; therefore, by ex- tension, WINE (Oenothera, the evening primrose, = wine-scented) officofficial, recognized (usually from medicine or commerce) (officinalis) -oide(...) like unto (botryoides = cluster-like / malacoides = mallow-like / dendroideum = tree-like)) olereferring to oil (olive) (oleifera = oil-bearing) olerreferring to a vegetable, edible (oleracea) oligfew (oligocarpa = few-fruited) olivreferring to an olive (olivifolia = leaves like an olive) omniall (kinds) oncreferring to a barb, a protruberance, a tubercle (Oncidium) onoreferring to a donkey (Onosma = donkey + smell - which donkeys supposedly favor) ! opacshaded (opacus) opercreferring to a lid (operculatus) ophioreferring to a snake (Ophiopogon = snake's beard) ! -opsis like unto (Chilopsis, lip-like) (phalaenopsis = like a moth) orbicround (orbicularis) orchreferring to an orchid (or the sexual parts of a flower) - actually, the Gr. word, orchis refers to the male gonads (orchioides = like an orchid) oreo- / ororeferring to mountains (Oreocereus = mountain cactus / oreophilus = mountain-loving) orient-

referring to the Orient, eastern (orientalis) ornatshowy, adorned, ornate (ornatus) ornithreferring to a bird (Ornithocephalus = bird's head) (ornithorhyncum = bird + snout/beak) orthstraight, correct (Orthocarpus = straight fruit) osmreferring to an odor (Osmanthus = fragrant flower) -osm(...) referring to an odor (Coprosma = feces + odor) ostreferring to a bone, therefore hardness (Osteospermum = bone seed) -ot(...) referring to an ear (Leonotis = lion's ear) ovaloval (ovalis) ovatovately shaped (ovata) ovireferring to an egg (shape) (ovifera = egg-bearing) ox- / oxysharp, pointed, sour (Oxalis, referring to the oxalic acid in the leaves and roots) (oxycarpa = sharp, pointed fruit)

Roots of Botanical Names: P

Back to Index pachythick (Pachyrhizus = thick root / pachyphyllum = thick-leaved / Pachypodium = thick + foot) palle- / palli- pale (pallidus / pallidiflora = pale flower) (pallescens) palmreferring to a hand, a palm (usually leaf-shape) (palmata) palustr-

referring to a swamp, marsh (palustris) -panax referring to a plant in the Aralia family, usually the genus Panax, which includes the Ginseng plant; panax comes from two Gr. words which mean all- afflictions, and the sense was (at least for Karl Linnaeus) that ginseng heals these diseases; (Oreopanax = mountain panax) pandurreferring to a fiddle (shape) (pandurata / panduriforme = fiddle-form / pandurifolia = fiddle-shaped leaves) paniculreferring to a panicle (paniculatus) pannosragged, hairy (pannosa) papaverreferring to the poppy (papaveracea) papyrreferring to paper (Papyrus) (papyrifera paper-bearing) papilreferring to a butterfly (papilionaceus = like the pea-family whose individual flowers are somewhat similar in form to a butterfly) papillreferring to nipples (papillosus) paradisreferring to gardens, paradise, parks (paradisiaca) paradoxunusual, strange, anomalous (paradoxus) pardreferring to a leopard (spotted) (pardalinus) partreferring to parts or a part (partitus) parthenreferring to a virgin, i.e., asexual reproduction (Parthenocissus = virgin's vine) parvsmall (parviflora = small-flowered) patagonreferring to Argentina (patagoniensis) patellreferring to a disk (patellaris) patens spreading

patulspreading (patulus) paucifew (pauciflora = few-flowered) pavonreferring to a peacock (pavonicus) pectinreferring to a comb, having teeth, finely-divided (pectinifera = combbearing) (pectinatus) pectorreferring to the breastbone (shape) (pectoralis) pedreferring to a foot (shape), or, by extension, a basal structure (pedicillatus = having a stalk) often also mean palmate, which word, itself, refers not to a foot but to a hand, as in a palmate leaf; (Pedilanthus = foot (shoe) flower), one common name is Slipper Spurge (spurge is a general common name applied to many plants in the Euphorbia Family) (pedatum) peduncreferring to a peduncle (pedunculatus) pellucpellucid, having translucent dots/spots (pellucidus) peltpeltate, stalk attached to the center, as opp. to the margin, from the Gr. for a shield of some sort (peltophorum = bearing a shield) pelvireferring to the pelvis (shape) (pelviformis) pendulreferring to an earring, hanging, drooping (penduliflora = hanging flowers / pendula) pennreferring to a feather (pennatus) pentareferring to the number five (pentanthus = five-flowered) per- / perisurrounding (perfoliata = leaf surrounding a stem) peregrinforeign (peregrina) perennperennial (perennis) persic-

referring to Persia (Iran) (persica) -persic(...) referring to a peach (Lycopersicum ((the tomato)) = wolf-peach probably because this fruit was originally believed to be deadly poisonsous) perspictransparent, clear (perspicuus) pertusperforated (pertusum) -pes referring to a foot or stalk (longipes = long-stalked) petiolreferring to a petiole, leaf stalk (petiolatus / petiolaris) petrreferring to rocks (Petrocallis = rock beauty) (petraea) phaedrsplendid (Phaedranthus = splendid flower) phalaereferring to a moth (Phalaenopsis = moth-like) phanerobvious, open (phanerophlebia = conspicuously-veined) phellreferring to cork (Phellodendron = cork tree) philloving, desirous of (Philodendron = tree loving because they often grow thereon) -phil(...) loving, desirous of (anemophilus = wind-loving) -phleb(...) referring to veins -phloe(...) referring to bark phlogreferring to a flame (Phlogacanthus = flame + thorn) phoenireferring to the genus Phoenix or the color purple - (Phoenix is the date palm genus) (phoenicolasius = purple hair) pholidreferring to a scale (Pholidocarpus = scaly fruit - a genus of palms) -phor(...) bearing, carrying (cladophora = branch-bearing)

phorareferring to a thief (Phoradendron = thief of a tree - the mistletoe genus) -phorb(...) referring to food or fruit photreferring to light, shining (Photinia, because of the glossy foliage) phragmreferring to a wall or fence or hedge phrygreferring to Asia Minor, Phrygian phylreferring to leaves physreferring to a bladder (Physalis; Physocarpus = bladder fruit) -phyt(...) referring to a plant (calophytum = beautiful plant) pictpainted, variegated (picta) pilreferring to a cap (Pilocarpus = cap-shaped fruit) (pileata) pilireferring to hairs (pilifera = hair-bearing) piloshairy (pilosus) pilulreferring to a globule (Pilularia = a little ball) pinireferring to a pine tree (pinicarpus = fruits like a pine cone) pinnreferring to a feather (pinnata) piptfalling, descending (Pipturus = descending tail) piscreferring to a fish (Piscidia = fish + kill - the Fish- Poison Tree of tropical America) pisreferring to the genus Pisa, the Pea (pisifera = pea-bearing) pitreferring to pitch or resin (Pittosporum = resinous seed) pithec-

referring to a monkey, an ape (Pithecoctenium = monkey's comb) placatcalm (placatus) plagreferring to an oblique angle, sideways (Plagianthus = flowers at an angle) planflat (planifolia = flat-leaved / planatus / planipes = flat + foot, i.e., stalk) platanreferring to a plantain, or the Plane Tree genus, Platanus (platanoides) platybroad, flat (Platycerium = flat horn - the stag-horn fern) plectplaited (Plectocomia = plaited hair) plectrreferring to a spur (Plectranthus = spurred flower) pleimany (Pleiogynium = many female parts) plenfull (plenissimus= very full) pleurreferring to a side, or a cavity, or ribs (Pleurospermum = ribbed seed) -plex referring to trunks or stems (multiplex = many-trunked) plicatfolded, pleated (plicatus) plumreferring to a plume or feather (plumosus) plumbreferring to lead (the metal) (Plumbago, referring to the color of the flowers of this genus) plurimany (plurifolia = many-leaved) pluvreferring to rain (pluvialis) podreferring to a stalk - or FOOT (Podocarpus = stalked fruit / podophyllus = stalked leaf) pogoreferring to a beard (Pogostemon = bearded stamen) -pogon

referring to a beard (Andropogon = man/male + beard) poligray, white (poliofolia = gray-leaved / polifolia) politpolished (polita) polymany (polyanthemos = many-flowered) pomreferring to an apple - any fruit similar in shape to an apple (pomacea / pomifera = apple-bearing) ponderosponderous (ponderosus) populreferring to the poplar (shape) (populifolia = poplar- leaved / populnea) porcreferring to a pig (porcinus) -potam(...) referring to a river (megapotamicum = large river) potenpowerful (Potentilla = diminutive of potens, referring to the supposed medicinal properties of this the Cinquefoil genus)) praecox premature, early praestnoble, distinguished (praestans) prasinreferring to the color green (prasinus) pratenreferring to a meadow (pratensis) precatorreferring to prayer (precatorius) premnreferring to a tree (Epipremnum = growing on trees primprime, first (Primula, because of its early blooming in Spring) primulreferring to the genus Primula, the primrose (primulaceus / primuloides = like Primula) princprincely, of first (prime) quality (princeps)

proboscreferring to a nose (proboscidea) procertall (procerum) procumblying down, procumbent, bending forwards (procumbens) procurextended (procurrens) propendhanging, drooping (propendens) propinqunear, related (propinquus) pruinhaving a bloom (referring to color and texture) (pruinosa) prunreferring to a plum, usually to the color (prunifolius = prune-leaved) pruritch causing (pruriens) pseudfalse (Pseudolarix = false Larch) psitreferring to a parrot (psittacinus) pterreferring to a wing (Pterocarya = winged nut; and Pteris, a genus of ferns) (pteranthus = winged flower) -pter(...) referring to a wing - ALSO Gr. for a fern (tetraptera = four-winged) (the fern appellation would seem to have come about via the resemblance of the feather part of a wing in close-up to a fern frond -- fascinating, no?) ptychreferring to a fold, a wrikle (Ptychosperma = folded seed) pubreferring to down (hairs) (puberulatus pubigerus) pudicshrinking, closing, modest (Mimosa pudica, so named because the pinnate leaves fold up the leaflets at night or when touched) pulchelbeautiful (pulchellus) pulchrbeautiful (pulchra)

pulverpowdery (pulverulenta) pulvinreferring to a cushion (pulvinatus) pumilsmall, dwarf (pumila) punctatdotted, spotted (punctatus / punctatissima = very much dotted) pungsharp, pointed, pungent, piercing (pungens) punicreferring to Punica (Carthage/N.Afr.) Punica, the pome- granate, native to that area OR the color reddish-purple (puniceus) purpurreferring to the color purple (purpurea) -pus referring to a foot (or basal structure, like a stalk) (leptopus = skinny-stalked / brachypus = short-stalked) pusilinsignificant, obscure, small, dwarf (pusillus) pycnthick, dense (Pycnanthemum = densely flowered) (pycnostachya = dense + spike (flowers)) pygmpygmy, small, dwarf (pygmaea) pyrreferring to a pear, or actually any fruit - OR to FIRE (pyriformis = formed like a pear) (Pyracantha = fire thorn) pyrenreferring to grain (Pyrenacantha = grain + thorn)) HOWEVER, pyrenaicus refers to the Pyrenees Mts. of France!

Roots of Botanical Names: Q

Back to Index quadr-

referring to the number four (quadrangularis = four-angled / quadriaurita = four-eared) quercreferring to the oak (quercifolia = leaves like an oak) quinreferring to the number five (quinquifolius = five- leaved / quinatus)

Roots of Botanical Names: R

Back to Index racemreferring to a raceme (racemosa) radicreferring to a root (Radicula = little root) (radicans usually means that the plant tends to root from its stem) radio- / radiarayed, radiate (radiatus) ramosreferring to branches (ramosus / ramosissima = very- branched) ranreferring to a frog (Ranunculus = little frog, because most of the species grow where frogs live, i.e., marshes, ponds) raph- / rhap- / rhaphreferring to a needle (Rhapidophyllum, a palm genus, = needle-leaf) reclinreclined, bent backwards (reclinatum) recurvrecurved (recurvatus) redivivrestored, revived (rediviva) refulgbright (refulgens) regalregal (regalis) reginreferring to a queen (regina) regl-

referring to a standard or model (paradigm) (regla) renireferring to a kidney (reniform) repcreeping (repens reptans repanda) resectcut off, curtailed (resectus) reticulreticulated, referring to a net, net-veined (reticulata) retortwisted back (retortus) retrobackwards (retroflexus = bent backwards) retusnotched (retusus) rex / regreferring to a king, royal (regalis) rhamnreferring to the genus Rhamnus, the buckthorn rhizreferring to a root (Acanthorrhiza = thorny root) rhodreferring to the color red/rose (Rhododendron = rose + tree) (rhodantha = red-flowered) rhombrhomboid, (rhomboideus / rhombifolia = rhomboid-shaped leaves) rhopreferring to a club (shape) (Rhopalostyle = club-shaped flower style) rhyncreferring to a nose or snout (Rhynchanthus = snout- shaped flower) rhytreferring to a fold, a wrinkle (Rhytiglossa = wrinkled tongue / rhytidophyllum = wrinkled leaf) ricinreferring to the genus Ricinus, the castor-oil tree (ricinifolia) ringens referring to a hole ripareferring to the banks of a river (riparia) rivu- / riva-

referring to rivers, streams (rivularis / rivale / rivalis) robustrobust (robusta) -rops referring to a bush (Chamaerops = dwarf bush) rosereferring to the color rose (what else?!?) (rosea) rostrreferring to a beak (shape) (rostratus) rotundround (rotundifolia = round-leafed) rubereferring to the color red (rubella) rubigreferring to rust (color) (rubiginosa) rub- / rubrreferring to the color red (rubens / rubra) rufreferring to the color red (rufescens / rufida) rugwrinkled (rugosa) -rump(...) referring to a rupture, a break (erumpens = breaking out of) rupreferring to rocks (rupicola = cliff-dwelling) (rupestris) rutreferring to the color red (rutilans)

Roots of Botanical Names: S

Back to Index saccreferring to a bag (saccifera = sac-bearing) saccharreferring to sugar (Saccharum, the sugar cane genus) sagitreferring to an arrow (sagittarius)

salic- / saligreferring to the genus Salix, the willow (salignifolia = willow-leaved / salicifolia) salreferring to salt (salinus / salicolus) salpreferring to a tube (Salpiglossis = tube + tongue) salvreferring to helping, saving, healing (Salvia, from the medicinal properties of some species of this the Sage genus) sambucreferring to the genus, Sambucus, the elderberry (sambucoides = like Sambucus) sanctholy, revered (sanctum) sangreferring to blood (Sanguinaria, the Blood-Root) sapidtasty (sapidus) sapienreferring to ancient wise men/writers/sages (sapientia) sapreferring to soap (Sapindus = soap + India) sarcoreferring to flesh (sarcomentum / sarcodes) sarmentreferring to runners (sarmentosa) sativreferring to cultivation (sativa) saurreferring to a lizard (Saururus = liazrd's tail) saxreferring to a rock (Saxifraga = rock-breaker / saxicolus / saxosus / saxatilis / saxorum) scalreferring to a ladder (scalaris) scandclimbing (scandens) scapreferring to a scape (scaposa)

scaphreferring to a boat (Scaphosepalum = boat + sepal) schiz- / schiscut, divided, split (schizophylla = cleft leaves) sciareferring to an umbrella, shade (Sciadophyllum) -scia(...) referring to an umbrella (Polyscias = many umbrellas, referring to the large and abundant foliage of this genus) scirpreferring to the genus Scirpus, the bulrush (scirpoides) sclerhard (sclerocarpus = hard fruit) scopulreferring to a cliff (scopulorum = of the cliffs) scorpreferring to a scorpion, a coiled structure (scorpioides) scutreferring to a salver or dish or shield (shape) (Scutellaria) (scutatum) sebreferring to wax, tallow (sebiferum) -sect(...) cut (pinnatisect = pinnately cut) secundreferring to a side (secundiflora = flowers on one side) sedsedentary (Sedum) selenreferring to the moon (Selenicereus = moon cactus, because it's nightblooming) semisemi, half (Semiarundinaria something like a reed, a genus of bamboo) semperalways (sempervirens = evergreen / Sempervivum = living for ever)) senilold, white-haired (senilis) septreferring to the number seven (septangularia = seven- angled) sericreferring to silk (sericeus / sericofera = silk-bearing)

serotinlate, autumnal (serotina) serpentreferring to a snake (serpentarius / serpentinus) serrareferring to a saw (serratus / serrula / serrulata) sesquireferring to the number one and 1/2 sessilunstalked, sessile (sessilis / sessiliflora = unstalked/ peduncled flowers / sessilifolia = unstalked/ petioled leaves) seta- / setireferring to a bristle (setigera / setacea) sibirreferring to Siberia (siberiacus) siderreferring to iron (Sideroxylon = iron wood) -sider(...) referring to iron (Metrosideros = heart of iron) sikkimreferring to N. India (sillimensis) silicreferring to sand (siliceus) silvreferring to the woods (silvaticus) simplsimple (simplex) sinensis native to China sinoreferring to China sinusinuous, wavy (sinuata) -siphon referring to a tube (Orthosiphon = straight tube usually a flower part) smilacreferring to the genus Smilax, Greenbriar sobolreferring to offspring (sobolifera = bearing offspring, usually meaning 'runners')

solarreferring to the sun (solaris) solenreferring to a tube (Solenanthus = tube + flower) -som(...) referring to the body, the corporeal entity (xanthosoma = yellow body) somnreferring to sleep (somniferum = sleep-producing - cf. Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy) sordiddirty, not pure (in appearance) (sordidus) spathreferring to a spoon (shape) (Spathiphyllum = leaf-like spathe) spatureferring to a spoon / spatula (shape) speculreferring to a mirror (Specularia, Venus's Looking Glass) (speculum) speciosshowy, spectacular (speciosum) spectaspectacular (spectandus) -sperm(...) referring to a seed (Dictyosperma = seed with network- markings) sphaerreferring to a sphere (sphaerocephala = round-headed) spicreferring to a spike (of flowers) (spicatus spicant / spiculifolia = spiked leaf) spinreferring to a spine (spinosa / spina-christi = Christ- thorn) spirreferring to a spiral (Spiranthes = spiral flowers (inflo- rescence), an orchid) splendsplendid (splendida) -spor(...) referring to a seed or spore (Hymenospora = mambraneous seed) spumreferring to spume or froth (spumaria) spurfalse (spurius) squal-

dirty (color) (squalens squalida)) squamreferring to scales (squamosa / squamata / squamigera) squarrspreading (squarrosa) -stachy(...) referring to a spike (of flowers) (Acanthostachys = thorny flower spike) stans standing, upright -staphy(...) referring to a cluster of grapes (Arctostaphylos = bear + grapes, alluding to the fact that bears love to eat the fruit; one of the species of this genus is uva-ursi, meaning grape + bear) stellreferring to a star (stellatus) -stem(...) referring to stamens (Pentstemon> = five stamens) stennarrow (Stenocarpu = narrow fruit) stephreferring to a crown (Stephanandra = crown + anthers) -steph(...) referring to a crown (macrostephana = large crown) -stich(...) referring to a row (Polystichum many rows (of spore cases on this fern genus)) -stict(...) referring to spots or glands (chlorosticta = green-spotted) stigmmarked (stigmatus) stipulreferring to a stipule (stipulata) stolonreferring to runners (stolonifera = bearing runners) -stom(...) referring to a mouth stramreferring to straw (color) (stramineus) streptotwisted (streptophullus = twisted-leaved)

striatstriped (striatus; viridistriata = green-striped) stricterect, rigid, upright, stiff (stricta) strigreferring to stiff hairs or bristles (strigosa / strigillosa) strobreferring to a cone (e.g., of a pine) (strobilifera = cone-bearing / strobus / strobilacea / strobilanthes = cone + flower) strumreferring to a tumor (strumatus) styrareferring to gum (styraciflua = flowing with gum) suavsweet, fragrant (suaveolens) subsomewhat, under, almost, not-quite -- often elided as in suffruticosa, a combining-form of sub and fruticosa = sub-shrubby (subhirtella = somewhat hairy) suberreferring to cork (suberosus) subulreferring to an awl (shape) (subulata) suffrreferring to a shrub (suffruticosa = somewhat shrubby) sulcreferring to a furrow (sulcatus) supinprostrate (supinus) sylvreferring to forests (sylvatica) sym- / syntogether, united (Symphoricarpos = together + to bear + fruit, referring to the clustered fruit)

Roots of Botanical Names: T

Back to Index tabulreferring to a tablet, therefore flat (shape) (tabuliformis) tardlate (tardiflora = late-flowering) tartarreferring to Central Asia (tartaricus) taurreferring to a bull (taurinus) taxireferring to the genus, Taxa, the Yew (taxifolius = Yew-like leaves) tectreferring to a roof (tectorum) tenax tenacious tenebrreferring to shadows (tenebrosus) tenellsmall, delicate (tenella) tenuislender, thin (tenuifolia = thin-leaved) teretcircular, cylindrical (teretiformis - in the form of a cylinder) terebinthreferring to turpentine (usually the smell) (terebenthifolia = leaves with a turpentine-like odor) ternreferring to the number three (ternata / ternifolia = three-leaved) terrreferring to (the) earth (terrestris) tesseltessellate (a squared pattern) (tessellata) testudreferring to a tortoise (testudinaria = like a tortoise shell)) tetrareferring to the number four (tetragonus = four-angled) -thal(...) referring to a branch (Pleurothallis = side branch) -thamn(...)

referring to a plant, a bush (Rhodothamnus = red plant) -thec(...) referring to a sheath (microthecum = small sheath) thermreferring to heat, hot springs (thermalis) thyrsreferring to a flower cluster (+ or - pyramid-shaped) (thyrsoidea) tigrreferring to a tiger (striped) (tigrinus) tilreferring to the genus Tilia, the Linden tree (tilioides) tinctreferring to a dye (tinctoria) tomentospubescent (tomentosum) torttwisted (tortilus) toxireferring to a poison (Toxicodendron = poison tree) trachyrough (Trachycarpus = rough fruit) tremultrembling, (tremuloides) trireferring to the number three (Trifolium = three leaves, the Clover genus) trichreferring to a hair (tricholepis = hairy scale) tristsad, bitter (usually referring to color, or shape, like somber color, or drooping) (tristus / triste) tritireferring to the wheat plant (triticina) trivicommon, frequent (trivialis) -trop(...) turning towards (Heliotropium = turning towards the sun) (also can refer to a keel) tubercreferring to referring to small tuber-like protruberances tubi-

referring to tube (shape) (tubiflora) tumidswollen (tumidus) tunicreferring to a tunic, i.e., covered (tunica / tunicata) turbinshaped like a top (turbinatus) typhsmokey, dull (typhina)

Roots of Botanical Names: U

Back to Index ulmreferring to the genus Ulmus, the elm (ulmifolia = elm-shpaed leaves) (ulmoides = elm-like) umbelreferring to umbels (umbellifera = bearing umbels) - an umbel is a flower cluster generally in the form of an umbrella, i.e., the flowers radiate from a central point umbracreferring to an umbrella (shade) (umbraculifera = umbrella-bearing) uncreferring to a hook or spine (uncinatus / biuncifera = bearing two-pronged spines) undreferring to a wave (undulatus) ungreferring to a claw (unguis-cati = cat-clawed) (unguiculatus) unireferring to the number one (uniflora = single-flowered) urceolatreferring to an urn (shape) (urceolatus) urenburning, stinging (urens) -ur(...)

referring to a tail (Leonurus = lion's tail) ursreferring to a bear (ursina) usnreferring to the genus Usnea, a lichen (usneoides, - the specific name of Tillandsia usneoides, the Spanish Moss) utiluseful (utilis) utricinflated (utriculata) uva- / uvireferring to a grape (uvifera = grape-bearing / uva- vulpis = fox + grape)

Roots of Botanical Names: V

Back to Index vagans wandering, erratic valid- / valerstrong, true (validus) (Valeriana = strong, referring to the medicinal uses of Valerian) varivariable, various (variatus) variegatvariegated (variegata) velutvelvety (velutina) venosreferring to a vein (venosus) ventrunevenly swollen (ventricosa) venustbeautiful (venustus) vermireferring to a worm, spiral form (vermiculatus) vernreferring to Spring, vernal (vernalis vernus)

vernicreferring to varnish (vernicosa) verrucverrucose, warty (verrucosus / verruculosa) versivarious(ly) (versiflora = variously-flowered) verticreferring to a whorl (verticillatus) verus (vera) genuine, true vesiculreferring to vessicles, bladders (vesicularis) vesperreferring to the evening - also western (vespertillus vesperinus) vesticlothed, covered (usually with hairs) (vestitus) villoshairy (villosum) viminreferring to a wicker, therefore, long, pliable branches (viminalis) vinreferring to wine (vinifera = wine-bearing) violreferring to the genus Viola or the color violet - (violaceus = partaking of the color violet) viresreferring to the color green (virescens) virgatreferring to a twig (wand) (virgatus) virginreferring to a virgin - usually meanig white (virginalis) viridreferring to the color green (viridiflora = green-flowers) viscsticky (Malvaviscus = sticky mallow) (viscaria) vitireferring to a grape (vitifolia = leaves like a grape) vittastriped (vittatus) volub-

twining (volubilis) vulgcommon (vulgaris) vulpreferring to a fox (vulpina)

Roots of Botanical Names: X

Back to Index xanthreferring to the color yellow (xanthocarpus = yellow-fruited / xanthinus) xerdry (xerocarpa = dry-fruited) (Xeranthemum = dry flower) xiphreferring to a sword (xiphioides) xylreferring to wood (Xylobium = wood + life, referring to the epiphytic habit of these orchids)

Roots of Botanical Names: Z

Back to Index zebrreferring to a zebra (striped) (zebrina) zeylanreferring to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) (zeylanica) zonareferring to a zone, a band (color/shape) (zonatus / zonale) zygunited (Zygopetalum = united petals, an orchid) (Zygadenus = united (paired) glands)