List Of Descriptive Plant Species Epithets (A–H)
Since the first printing of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plants have been assigned one epithet or name for their species and one name for their genus, a grouping of related species. These scientific names have been catalogued in a variety of works, including Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. William Stearn (1911–2001) was one of the pre-eminent British botanists of the 20th century: a Librarian of the Royal Horticultural Society, a president of the Linnean Society and the original drafter of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.
The first column below lists seed-bearing species epithets from Stearn's Dictionary, Latin for Gardeners by Lorraine Harrison, The A to Z of Plant Names by Allen Coombes, The Gardener's Botanical by Ross Bayton, and the glossary of Stearn's Botanical Latin. Epithets from proper nouns, proper adjectives, and two or more nouns are excluded, along with epithets used only in species names that are no longer widely accepted. Classical and modern meanings are provided in the third column, along with citations to Charlton T. Lewis's An Elementary Latin Dictionary.
Key
- LG = language: (L)atin or (G)reek
- L = derived from Latin, or both Classical Latin and Greek (unless otherwise noted)
- G = derived from Greek
- H = listed by Harrison, and (except as noted) by Bayton
- D = listed in Stearn's Dictionary
- S = listed in Stearn's Botanical Latin
- DS = listed in Stearn's Dictionary, with the word or root word listed in Botanical Latin
- C = listed by Coombes
Epithets
Epithets | LG | Meanings and derivations | Example species | H | DS | C |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
abbreviatus | L | shortened | Caladenia abbreviata | H | DS | |
aberrans | L | aberrant, from aberro, to deviate | Acronychia aberrans | DS | ||
abortivus | L | abortive | Ranunculus abortivus | H | DS | |
abruptus | L | cut off | Acacia abrupta | DS | ||
abscissus | L | cut off, from abscindo | Narcissus abscissus | DS | ||
abundiflorus | L | flowering abundantly | Alpinia abundiflora* | D | ||
acaulis | L | (apparently) stemless, from a- + caulis | Silene acaulis | H | DS | C |
acephalus | G | headless | Syngonanthus acephalus* | D | ||
acer | L | sharp-tasting or (per Stearn) sharp to the touch. Bayton lists only the genus Acer. | Pimelea acra* | H | D | |
acris | L | sharp-tasting or (per Stearn) sharp to the touch. | Ranunculus acris | H | D | C |
acerbus | L | harsh; bitter | Hovenia acerba | DS | ||
acerosus | L | sharp; needle-shaped | Verticordia acerosa | H | DS | C |
acetosus | L | vinegary, from acetum; sour | Rumex acetosa | H | DS | C |
acicularis | L | needle-shaped, from acus, needle; acicular | Orites acicularis | H | DS | C |
aciculifer | D | |||||
acidus | L | sour | Phyllanthus acidus | DS | ||
acidosus | D | |||||
acidissimus | D | |||||
acinaceus | L | scimitar | Acacia acinacea | H | D | |
aciniformis | DS | |||||
acraeus | L | high-dwelling | Ranunculus acraeus | H | ||
aculeatus | L | stinging or sharp; aculeate | Banksia aculeata | H | DS | C |
aculeolatus | H | D | ||||
aculeatissimus | L | sharpest | Solanum aculeatissimum | D | ||
acuminatus | L | tapering; acuminate | Musa acuminata | H | DS | C |
acutus | L | pointed; acute | Juncus acutus | H | DS | C |
acutangulus | DS | |||||
acutissimus | L | most acute | Quercus acutissima | H | D | C |
adenophorus | G | gland-bearing | Ageratina adenophora | H | DS | |
admirabilis | L | admirable | Drosera admirabilis | H | D | |
adnatus | L | joined (organs), from agnascor, to be late-born; adnate | Nepenthes adnata | H | DS | |
adpressus | L | pressed close together, from apprimo; appressed. (Also appressus.) | Muehlenbeckia adpressa | H | DS | C |
adscendens | L | ascending, from ascendo | Melicope adscendens | H | DS | |
adscitus | L | adopted | Rubus adscitus* | D | ||
adsurgens | L | rising, from adsurgo | Acacia adsurgens | H | D | |
aduncus | L | hooked | Piper aduncum | H | DS | |
adustus | L | sunburnt; brown | Carex adusta | DS | ||
advenus | L | stranger, from advena | Nuphar advena | DS | ||
aemulus | L | emulating. (Also aemulans.) | Banksia aemula | H | DS | |
aeneus | L | bronze | Begonia aenea* | DS | ||
aequalis | L | equal | Diuris aequalis | H | DS | C |
aequinoctialis | L | equatorial, from aequinoctium, equinox | Aneilema aequinoctiale | H | D | |
aerius | L | aerial | Crocus aerius | H | DS | |
aeruginosus | L | verdigris, from aerugo | Pimelea aeruginosa | DS | ||
aestivus | L | summer | Leucojum aestivum | DS | C | |
aestivalis | DS | C | ||||
affinis | L | related, from adfinis, adjoining | Stachys affinis | DS | C | |
aganniphus | G | snow-covered. Stearn's spelling is agannifus. | Rhododendron aganniphum | D | ||
agastus | G | charming | Rhododendron agastum* | H | D | |
agglutinatus | L | glued, from agglutino, to stick on | Echites agglutinatus* | DS | ||
aggregatus | L | clustered, from aggrego, to bring together | Eucalyptus aggregata | H | DS | C |
agrarius | L | of the land | Fumaria agraria | H | DS | |
agrestis | L | uncultivated; growing in fields | Rosa agrestis | H | DS | |
agrifolius | L | rough-leaved | Quercus agrifolia | H | D | |
alatus | L | winged; alate | Mimulus alatus | H | DS | C |
albus | L | white | Melilotus albus | H | DS | C |
albidus | L | off-white. (Also albulus.) | Sassafras albidum, Echium albicans | H | DS | C |
albescens | H | DS | ||||
albicans | H | D | C | |||
algidus | L | cold | Boronia algida | DS | ||
alienus | L | alien; introduced | Quercus aliena | DS | ||
alpestris | L | of mountains | Prasophyllum alpestre | H | D | C |
alpinus | L | alpine; of mountains | Potamogeton alpinus | H | DS | C |
alpicola | H | D | C | |||
alpigenus | H | D | ||||
alternus | L | alternating; alternate | Physocarpus alternans | DS | ||
alternans | H | DS | ||||
altus | L | tall; high | Coccothrinax alta | H | DS | |
altissimus | L | tallest; highest | Ailanthus altissima | H | D | C |
alticola | L | growing in high places | Genoplesium alticola | D | ||
alulatus | L | narrow-winged | Boronia alulata | D | ||
alutaceus | L | leathery, from aluta, soft leather | Shorea alutacea | DS | ||
amabilis | L | lovely. Previously ama-bilis (Stearn). | Phalaenopsis amabilis | H | DS | C |
amarus | L | bitter | Simarouba amara | H | DS | |
amarellus | H | D | ||||
ambiguus | L | ambiguous | Kunzea ambigua | H | DS | |
amblyanthus | G | blunt-flowered | Bulbophyllum amblyanthum | H | S | |
ambrosiacus | L | ambrosia | Achillea ambrosiaca* | D | ||
amethystinus | L | violet; purple | Primula amethystina | H | DS | C |
ammophilus | G | sand-loving | Eucalyptus ammophila | H | DS | |
amoenus | L | pleasant | Felicia amoena | H | DS | C |
amphibius | G | growing both on land and in water | Persicaria amphibia | H | DS | |
amplexicaulis | L | stem-embracing, from amplexor, to embrace; amplexicaul | Hakea amplexicaulis | H | DS | C |
amplus | L | ample; large | Callicarpa ampla | H | DS | |
amplissimus | L | most ample | Ficus amplissima | D | ||
ampliatus | L | enlarged, from amplio | Acacia ampliata | DS | ||
ampullaceus | L | flask-shaped, from ampulla | Senecio ampullaceus | DS | ||
amygdalinus | L | almond, from amygdalum | Eucalyptus amygdalina | H | DS | |
amygdaliformis | H | D | ||||
amygdaloides | H | D | C | |||
anacanthus | G | thornless; spineless | Opuntia anacantha | DS | ||
anceps | L | two-headed; two-sided; uncertain | Epidendrum anceps | H | DS | C |
androgynus | L | androgyne; androgynous | Sauropus androgynus | H | DS | |
anfractuosus | L | recurving, from anfractus | Acacia anfractuosa | DS | ||
anguinus | L | serpentine | Smilax anguina* | D | ||
angulatus | L | angular | Cycas angulata | H | DS | |
angularis | H | DS | ||||
angulosus | H | DS | ||||
anguliger | L | hooked | Disocactus anguliger | D | ||
angustatus | L | narrowed | Protea angustata | DS | ||
anisophyllus | G | with unequal leaves | Artocarpus anisophyllus | H | DS | |
annularis | L | ring-shaped; with an annulus | Eucalyptus annulata | DS | ||
annulatus | H | DS | ||||
annuus | L | lasting a year | Helianthus annuus | H | DS | C |
anomalus | G | anomalous | Hydrangea anomala | H | DS | C |
anosmus | G | odorless | Dendrobium anosmum | H | D | |
anserinus | L | of a goose, anser | Argentina anserina | DS | ||
anthelmius | L | anti-worm | Spigelia anthelmia | D | ||
anthopogon | G | bearded flowers | Rhododendron anthopogon | D | ||
antiquorum | L | ancient | Euphorbia antiquorum | H | D | |
antiquus | H | DS | ||||
apertus | L | uncovered; open | Caladenia aperta | H | DS | |
apetalus | G | without petals | Pomaderris apetala | H | DS | |
aphyllus | G | leafless | Euphorbia aphylla | H | DS | |
apiatus | L | bee-like, from apis | Gentiana apiata* | D | ||
apiculatus | L | pointed, from apicula, a small bee; apiculate | Darwinia apiculata | H | D | C |
apifer | L | (apparently) bearing a bee, from apis | Ophrys apifera | H | D | |
apodus | L | footless; stalkless | Bulbophyllum apodum | H | DS | |
appendiculatus | L | with appendages, from appendicula | Salix appendiculata | H | DS | |
applanatus | L | flattened | Acacia applanata | H | DS | |
appressus | L | pressed close together, from apprimo; appressed. (Also adpressus.) | Eremophila appressa | H | DS | |
apricus | L | sun-exposed; sun-loving | Eriogonum apricum | H | DS | |
apterus | G | wingless | Zizia aptera | H | D | |
apus | G | stalkless. Feminine and neuter apus. | Gigantochloa apus* | D | ||
aquaticus | L | in water; aquatic | Ipomoea aquatica | H | DS | C |
aquatilis | H | DS | ||||
aquilinus | L | eagle-like, from aquila | Eucalyptus aquilina | H | D | |
arachnoides | G | spider; cobwebbed; arachnoid | Anacampseros arachnoides | H | D | |
arachnoideus | H | DS | C | |||
araiophyllus | G | slender-leaved | Bulbophyllum araiophyllum* | D | ||
araneosus | L | spider-webbed | Acacia araneosa | DS | ||
arboreus | L | tree-like; arborescent | Ceanothus arboreus | H | DS | C |
arborescens | H | DS | C | |||
arboricola | L | tree-dwelling | Lilium arboricola | H | S | |
arbusculus | L | shrubby. Diminutive of arbor. | Euphorbia arbuscula | H | DS | |
arcticus | G | far northern | Salix arctica | H | DS | |
arcuatus | L | bowed | Calothamnus arcuatus | H | DS | |
ardens | L | glowing | Urtica ardens* | D | ||
arenarius | L | sand-dwelling | Ammophila arenaria | H | DS | C |
arenicola | H | D | ||||
arenosus | L | sandy; gritty | Arabidopsis arenosa | H | DS | |
areolatus | L | areolate; having areoles | Pterostylis areolata | H | DS | |
argentatus | L | silvery | Coccothrinax argentata | H | D | C |
argenteus | H | DS | C | |||
argillaceus | L | white-clay | Phacelia argillacea | DS | ||
argophyllus | L | silvery-leaved | Eriogonum argophyllum | H | DS | |
argutus | L | notched | Rubus argutus | H | DS | C |
argyraeus | L | silvery. (Also argyreus.) | Acacia argyraea | H | DS | C |
aridus | L | dry | Acacia arida | H | DS | |
arietinus | L | like a ram, from aries | Cicer arietinum | H | D | |
aristatus | L | awned; aristate | Pinus aristata | H | DS | C |
aristosus | D | |||||
arizelus | G | conspicuous | Lupinus arizelus* | D | ||
armatus | L | armed (with spines or thorns) | Banksia armata | H | DS | |
armiger | DS | |||||
armillatus | L | with bracelets or collars | Eucalyptus armillata | D | ||
armillaris | H | D | ||||
aromaticus | G | aromatic | Syzygium aromaticum | DS | C | |
arrectus | L | erect, from adrectus | Genoplesium arrectum | DS | ||
articulatus | L | jointed, from artus; articulate | Juncus articulatus | H | DS | C |
arundinaceus | L | reedy, from arundo | Phalaris arundinacea | H | D | |
arvensis | L | of plowed fields, from arvum, ploughed land | Cirsium arvense | H | DS | C |
ascendens | L | ascendant, from ascensus; ascending | Taxodium ascendens | H | DS | |
asper | L | rough | Corymbia aspera | H | DS | C |
asperatus | H | DS | ||||
asperrimus | L | roughest | Bartsia asperrima* | H | D | |
assimilis | L | resembling | Sauropus assimilis | H | D | |
assurgens | L | ascending | Leptocereus assurgens* | DS | ||
ater | L | dead-black; dark. Feminine atra, neuter atrum. | Neololeba atra | DS | ||
atratus | L | blackened | Microtis atrata | DS | C | |
attenuatus | L | tapering | Banksia attenuata | H | DS | C |
aucuparius | L | bird-catching, from aucupium | Sorbus aucuparia | H | ||
augustus | L | majestic | Rhopaloblaste augusta | H | D | |
aurantiacus | L | orangish | Banksia aurantia | H | DS | C |
aurantius | H | D | ||||
aureus | L | golden | Ficus aurea | H | DS | C |
auratus | H | DS | ||||
auriculatus | L | eared, from auricula; with auricles. (Also auriculus.) | Roscoea auriculata | H | DS | C |
auritus | H | DS | ||||
australis | L | southern | Cordyline australis | H | DS | C |
austrinus | H | D | ||||
autumnalis | L | of autumn | Mandragora autumnalis | DS | C | |
avicularis | L | of small birds, from avis | Polygonum aviculare | D | ||
avium | L | of birds, from avis | Prunus avium | H | D | C |
axillaris | L | axillary | Pseudowintera axillaris | H | DS | C |
azureus | L | sky-blue | Salvia azurea | H | DS | C |
baccatus | L | berry, from baca | Taxus baccata | DS | C | |
baccans | DS | |||||
baccifer | DS | |||||
bacillaris | L | rod-like, from bacillum | Senna bacillaris* | H | DS | |
badius | L | nut brown | Symplocos badia | H | S | |
barbarus | L | foreign | Lycium barbarum | H | D | C |
barbatus | L | bearded | Dianthus barbatus | H | DS | C |
barbiger | H | D | ||||
barbatulus | H | D | ||||
barbulatus | H | D | ||||
barystachys | G | heavy-spiked | Lysimachia barystachys | DS | ||
basilaris | L | basal | Opuntia basilaris | H | DS | |
basilicus | G | royal | Ocimum basilicum | H | D | C |
bellus | L | beautiful | Corymbia bella | H | D | C |
benedictus | L | blessed | Cnicus benedictus | H | D | |
bicolor | L | two-colored | Erythranthe bicolor | H | DS | C |
bicornis | L | two-horned | Aiphanes bicornis | H | DS | |
bicornutus | H | D | ||||
bidentatus | L | two-toothed | Manilkara bidentata | DS | ||
biennis | L | biennial | Oenothera biennis | H | DS | C |
bifidus | L | divided in two | Trifolium bifidum | H | D | |
biflorus | L | two-flowered | Darwinia biflora | H | DS | C |
bifurcatus | L | two-forked | Amyema bifurcata | H | DS | |
bijugus | L | double-yoked | Intsia bijuga | H | DS | |
binervatus | L | two-veined | Carex binervis | D | ||
binervis | DS | |||||
binervosus | D | |||||
bipinnatus | L | bipinnate | Sanicula bipinnata | H | DS | C |
bisectus | L | bisected, from sectus | Zingiber bisectum* | D | ||
biserratus | L | doubly serrated, from serratus | Eremophila biserrata | H | DS | |
biternatus | L | twice-ternate; biternate | Enemion biternatum | H | DS | |
bituminosus | L | tarry, from bitumen | Moraea bituminosa | H | D | |
bivalvis | L | bivalved, from valvae; with two valves | Peristrophe bivalvis | H | DS | |
blandus | L | flattering; alluring | Anemonoides blanda | D | C | |
blepharocalyx | G | fringed-calyx | Alpinia blepharocalyx* | DS | ||
bombycinus | L | silky | Cymbopogon bombycinus | DS | ||
borealis | L | northern, from boreas | Banksia borealis | H | DS | |
botryoides | G | clustered, like grapes | Eucalyptus botryoides | H | D | C |
brachiatus | L | with arm-like branches, from brachium | Buddleja brachiata | H | DS | |
brachyanthus | G | short-flowered | Oryza brachyantha | D | ||
bracteatus | L | with bracts | Xerochrysum bracteatum | H | DS | C |
brevis | L | short | Conophytum breve | H | DS | |
bronchialis | G | of or for the lungs | Saxifraga bronchialis | H | D | |
brumalis | L | wintry | Diuris brumalis | DS | ||
brunneus | L | brown | Banksia brunnea | H | DS | C |
bryoides | G | mossy | Saxifraga bryoides | H | D | |
buccinatus | L | trumpet-shaped, from buccina | Hemigenia buccinata* | D | ||
buccinatorius | D | |||||
bulbifer | G | bulb | Cicuta bulbifera | H | DS | C |
bulbiformis | DS | |||||
bulbosus | H | DS | ||||
bullatus | L | with bubbles, from bulla; bullate | Annona bullata | H | DS | C |
cadmicus | L | metallic | Salvia cadmica* | H | D | |
caerulescens | L | becoming blue | Thlaspi caerulescens | H | DS | |
caeruleus | L | azure | Lonicera caerulea | H | DS | C |
caesius | L | bluish-gray; lavender blue; cutting | Eucalyptus caesia | H | DS | C |
caespitosus | L | caespitose, from caespes, turf. (Also caespititius.) | Pilosella caespitosa | H | DS | |
calcaratus | L | spurred, from calcar; calcarate | Stylidium calcaratum | H | DS | |
calcareus | L | lime; calcareous | Mitrephora calcarea | H | DS | C |
calcicola | D | |||||
calceolus | L | shoe | Cypripedium calceolus | D | C | |
callistus | G | very beautiful | Eriogonum callistum | D | ||
callosus | L | callous or hard-skinned; callose | Strobilanthes callosa | H | DS | |
calophyllus | G | with beautiful leaves | Gonystylus calophyllus | H | DS | |
calvus | L | bald | Gunniopsis calva | H | DS | |
calycinus | G | like a calyx; with a prominent calyx | Hypericum calycinum | H | DS | C |
calyptratus | G | with a calyptra, a cap-like cover | Calandrinia calyptrata | H | DS | |
campanularius | L | bell; campanulate | Phacelia campanularia | H | D | C |
campanulatus | H | DS | C | |||
campestris | L | even; flat; of plains. From campester. | Acer campestre | H | DS | C |
campylocarpus | L | curved-fruit | Isatis campylocarpa* | H | D | |
canaliculatus | L | grooved, from canalis; canaliculate | Protea canaliculata | H | DS | |
cancellatus | L | latticed, from cancelli | Ceropegia cancellata* | H | DS | |
candelabrum | L | candelabrum | Euphorbia candelabrum | H | D | C |
candidus | L | shining white | Cypripedium candidum | H | DS | C |
candicans | H | DS | C | |||
candidissimus | L | whitest, from candor | Arisaema candidissimum | D | C | |
canus | L | grey- or white-haired; canescent | Artemisia cana | H | DS | C |
canescens | H | DS | C | |||
caninus | L | canine | Rosa canina | H | DS | |
caperatus | L | wrinkled. Possibly, goat. | Anthurium caperatum* | DS | C | |
capillaceus | L | hair-like, from capillus | Carex capillacea | DS | ||
capillaris | H | DS | ||||
capilliformis | H | DS | ||||
capillatus | L | hairy; with fine hairs | Caladenia capillata | H | D | |
capitatus | L | having dense-headed growth; capitate | Roscoea capitata | H | DS | C |
capitellatus | L | small-headed, from capitulum | Mimetes capitulatus | H | D | |
capitellus | H | D | ||||
capitulatus | H | D | ||||
capreolatus | L | with tendrils; supported. From capreolus, props or stays. | Bignonia capreolata | H | D | C |
capreus | L | goat | Salix caprea | H | D | C |
capsularis | L | capsule-producing, from capsula | Corchorus capsularis | H | DS | |
cardinalis | L | scarlet | Lobelia cardinalis | H | DS | C |
carinatus | L | keeled, from carina; having a keel | Zephyranthes carinata | H | DS | C |
carmineus | L | carmine. From Arabic and Latin. | Metrosideros carminea | H | DS | |
carnosus | L | fleshy, from carnis; carnose | Hoya carnosa | H | DS | C |
carneus | H | DS | C | |||
carnosulus | H | DS | ||||
cartilagineus | L | cartilage-like; cartilaginous | Oceaniopteris cartilaginea | H | DS | |
castus | L | pure | Mimosa casta* | D | ||
catacosmus | G | adorned | Rhododendron catacosmum* | D | ||
cataria | L | of cats | Nepeta cataria | H | D | C |
catarractae | G | of waterfalls | Veronica catarractae | H | DS | C |
catharticus | G | cathartic | Rhamnus cathartica | H | D | C |
caudatus | L | tailed, from cauda; caudate | Entandrophragma caudatum | H | DS | C |
caulescens | L | stemmed, from caulis; caulescent | Mandragora caulescens | H | D | C |
causticus | G | caustic | Lithraea caustica | H | D | |
cauticola | L | cliff-dwelling, from cautes | Sedum cauticola | H | D | C |
cavus | L | hollow | Corydalis cava | H | DS | C |
centifolius | L | many-leaved, from centum, one hundred | Berberis centifolia* | H | DS | |
centralis | L | central | Rubus centralis | H | DS | |
cephalotes | G | small-headed | Leucas cephalotes | H | D | |
ceraceus | L | waxy, from cera; ceraceous | Eucalyptus ceracea | H | DS | |
cerasifer | L | cherry, from cerasus | Eucalyptus cerasiformis | H | D | |
cerasiformis | H | D | ||||
cerasinus | L | cherry-red | Corybas cerasinus | H | DS | |
cerealis | L | agricultural | Secale cereale | H | D | |
cereus | L | waxy | Ribes cereum | H | DS | C |
cerifer | H | D | C | |||
cerinus | H | DS | ||||
cernuus | L | nodding; cernuous | Allium cernuum | H | DS | C |
charianthus | G | elegantly flowered | Ceratostema charianthum* | H | D | |
chasmanthus | G | gape-flowered | Aconitum chasmanthum* | D | ||
cheiri | G | hand, possibly | Bulbophyllum cheiri | H | ||
chimaera | L | monstrous; chimeric | Bulbophyllum chimaera | DS | ||
chloodes | G | grass-green | Centaurium chloodes* | DS | ||
chloracanthus | L | green-spined | Haworthia chloracantha | DS | ||
chryseus | G | golden | Nephelium chryseum | H | DS | |
ciliaris | L | fringed | Cenchrus ciliaris | H | D | |
ciliatus | H | DS | C | |||
ciliosus | H | D | C | |||
cinctus | L | with a girdle; girding | Dacrycarpus cinctus | H | DS | |
cinereus | L | ash-gray, from cinis, ashes | Juglans cinerea | H | DS | C |
cinerascens | H | DS | ||||
cinnabarinus | G | cinnabar-red | Scadoxus cinnabarinus | H | DS | C |
circinalis | L | curled, from circino, to round; circinate | Cycas circinalis | H | DS | C |
circinatus | DS | C | ||||
cirratus | G | with tendrils; cirrhose. (Also cirrhatus, cirrosus.) | Fritillaria cirrhosa | H | DS | |
cirrhosus | H | DS | C | |||
clandestinus | L | concealed | Pennisetum clandestinum | H | DS | |
clausus | L | closed; reserved | Pinus clausa | H | DS | |
clavatus | L | club, from clava | Lycopodium clavatum | H | DS | |
clavellatus | D | |||||
clivorum | L | of the hills, from clivus | Hymenocallis clivorum | DS | ||
clypeatus | L | shield-shaped, from clipeus | Nepenthes clipeata | H | DS | |
clypeolatus | H | D | ||||
coarctatus | L | crowded; pressed together. From coarto. | Haworthiopsis coarctata | H | DS | |
coccifer | L | bearing berries | Eucalyptus coccifera | H | D | C |
coccineus | L | scarlet, from coccum | Banksia coccinea | H | DS | C |
cochlearis | L | spoon-shaped | Acacia cochlearis | H | DS | |
cochleatus | L | twisted like a snail shell, from cochlea, snail | Prosthechea cochleata | H | DS | |
coelestinus | L | sky-blue, celestial | Conoclinium coelestinum | H | D | C |
coelestis | H | DS | ||||
coelicus | L | heavenly, from caelum | Rhododendron coelicum* | D | ||
coeruleus | L | blue | Aquilegia coerulea | H | DS | C |
coerulescens | L | becoming blue | Boronia coerulescens | DS | ||
cognatus | L | related | Acacia cognata | H | DS | |
collinus | L | of the hills, from collis | Erysimum collinum | H | DS | |
coloratus | L | coloured | Potamogeton coloratus | H | DS | C |
colubrinus | L | snaky, from coluber | Anadenanthera colubrina | H | DS | |
columbarius | L | dove-blue; dove-like. From columba, dove. | Impatiens columbaria* | H | D | C |
columnaris | L | columned, from columna, pillar | Araucaria columnaris | H | DS | C |
columellaris | H | D | ||||
comatus | L | tufted, long-haired; with comas. (Also comans.) | Hesperostipa comata | H | D | |
comosus | DS | C | ||||
commixtus | L | mingled together | Aloiampelos commixta | H | DS | C |
communis | L | common | Commelina communis | H | DS | C |
commutatus | L | changed | Pterostylis commutata | H | D | C |
compactus | L | dense; joined together | Triticum compactum | H | DS | C |
complanatus | L | flattened out, from complano, to level | Eremophila complanata | H | DS | |
complexus | L | complex; clasped | Muehlenbeckia complexa | H | DS | C |
complicatus | L | complicated; folded. From complico. | Indigofera complicata* | H | DS | |
compositus | L | well-ordered | Oplismenus compositus | DS | ||
compressus | L | pressed together | Potamogeton compressus | H | DS | |
comptus | L | adorned | Micropholis compta | D | ||
concavus | L | concave | Pterostylis concava | H | DS | |
concinnus | L | neat; pretty | Acacia concinna | H | DS | |
concolor | L | consistently coloured | Abies concolor | H | DS | C |
condensus | L | crowded together; dense | Nothaphoebe condensa | H | D | |
condensatus | H | DS | ||||
confertus | L | crowded | Caladenia conferta | H | DS | |
conformis | L | symmetrical, from conformatio | Dipterocarpus conformis | DS | ||
confusus | L | confused | Iris confusa | H | DS | C |
congestus | L | congested; heaped | Senecio congestus | H | DS | C |
conglomeratus | L | crowded; rolled up. From conglobo. | Eremophila conglomerata | H | DS | |
conjugalis | L | joined | Dipteris conjugata | D | ||
conjugatus | DS | |||||
conjunctus | L | connected | Bidens conjuncta | H | D | |
connatus | L | twin; connate | Alectryon connatus | H | DS | |
conoideus | G | conical | Pandanus conoideus | H | DS | |
conopseus | G | gnat-like | Gymnadenia conopsea | H | D | |
consanguineus | L | kindred | Columnea consanguinea | H | D | |
consolidus | L | stable, from solidus, complete | Xyris consolida* | D | ||
conspersus | L | sprinkled | Acacia conspersa | H | DS | |
conspicuus | L | conspicuous | Eucalyptus conspicua | H | DS | C |
constrictus | L | constricted, from constringo | Prasophyllum constrictum | H | DS | |
contaminatus | L | contaminated | Lachenalia contaminata | H | S | |
contiguus | L | contiguous | Lomaridium contiguum | DS | ||
continentalis | L | continental | Leptospermum continentale | H | DS | |
contortus | L | twisted | Pinus contorta | DS | C | |
contractus | L | contracted | Festuca contracta | H | DS | |
controversus | L | disputed | Cornus controversa | H | D | C |
copallinus | L | gummy. Originally from Nahuatl. | Rhus copallinum | H | D | C |
corallinus | G | coral-red | Aloe corallina | H | DS | |
cordatus | L | heart-shaped; cordate | Tilia cordata | H | DS | C |
cordiformis | H | DS | C | |||
coriaceus | L | leathery, from corium | Leptospermum coriaceum | H | DS | |
coriarius | H | D | ||||
corneus | L | horn-textured; corneous | Lithocarpus corneus* | DS | ||
corniculatus | L | horned | Eucalyptus cornuta | H | DS | C |
cornifer | H | D | ||||
corniger | H | D | C | |||
cornutus | H | DS | C | |||
cornucopiae | L | horn of plenty | Melaleuca cornucopiae | H | D | |
corollatus | L | with or like corollas, from corolla, little crown | Euphorbia corollata | H | DS | |
coronans | L | wreathed, from corona, garland or crown; with a corona | Eucalyptus coronata | H | DS | |
coronatus | H | DS | ||||
coronarius | L | used for garlands; forming a crown | Anemone coronaria | H | DS | C |
corrugatus | L | wrinkled, from corrugo | Eucalyptus corrugata | H | DS | |
coruscans | L | shaking, from corusco | Millettia coruscans* | D | ||
corymbosus | L | clustered, from corymbus; corymbose | Ipomoea corymbosa | H | DS | C |
corynephorus | G | club | Caladenia corynephora | DS | ||
coryphaeus | L | leader | Sphagnum coryphaeum* | DS | ||
costatus | L | ribbed, from costa | Planchonella costata | H | DS | |
cotyledon | G | small cup | Saxifraga cotyledon | H | ||
crassus | L | thick | Leavenworthia crassa | H | DS | |
crassiusculus | H | DS | ||||
creber | L | crowded; clustered; frequent. Feminine crebra, neuter crebrum. | Eucalyptus crebra | DS | ||
crenatus | L | scalloped; crenate | Mairia crenata | H | DS | C |
crenulatus | H | DS | ||||
crepidatus | L | slipper-like; wearing sandals | Dendrobium crepidatum | H | D | |
crepitans | L | creaking; rustling; rattling. From crepito. | Hura crepitans | H | D | |
cretaceus | L | chalky, from creta | Caladenia cretacea | H | DS | |
crinitus | L | long-haired | Coccothrinax crinita | H | DS | C |
criniger | D | |||||
crispus | L | curled; crisped | Rumex crispus | H | DS | C |
crispatus | H | DS | ||||
cristatus | L | crested; tufted | Agropyron cristatum | H | DS | C |
croceus | L | saffron-yellow | Iris crocea | H | DS | |
crocatus | H | D | ||||
cruciatus | L | cruciform; tortured | Gentiana cruciata | H | DS | |
crucifer | D | |||||
cruentus | L | bloodstained | Amaranthus cruentus | H | DS | C |
crustatus | L | encrusted or hard-surfaced, from crusta; crustose | Saxifraga crustata | H | DS | |
crystallinus | L | glistening, from crystallus, crystal | Mesembryanthemum crystallinum | H | DS | |
ctenoides | G | comb-like | Melaleuca ctenoides | DS | ||
cucullaris | L | hooded, from cucullus; cucullate | Psittacanthus cucullaris | D | C | |
cucullatus | H | DS | ||||
cultratus | L | blade-shaped, from culter, knife | Crassula cultrata | H | DS | |
cultriformis | H | DS | C | |||
cuneatus | L | wedge-shaped; cuneate | Adenanthos cuneatus, Banksia cuneata | H | DS | C |
cuneiformis | H | DS | ||||
cupreus | L | coppery | Erythranthe cuprea | H | DS | |
cupreatus | H | D | ||||
curtus | L | shortened | Pterostylis curta | H | DS | |
curvatus | L | curved, from curvus | Ribes curvatum | H | DS | |
cuspidatus | L | pointed, from cuspis, blade; cuspidate | Taxus cuspidata | H | DS | C |
cyaneus | G | blue | Commelina cyanea | H | DS | C |
cyclops | G | round-eyed | Acacia cyclops | D | ||
cylindraceus | L | cylindrical, from cylindrus | Imperata cylindrica | H | DS | C |
cylindricus | H | DS | C | |||
cymbiformis | G | boat-shaped | Philotheca cymbiformis | H | DS | |
cymosus | G | having cymes | Dichapetalum cymosum | H | D | |
dactylifer | L | finger-bearing; finger-like. From dactyl, finger. | Phoenix dactylifera | H | DS | C |
dactyloides | H | DS | ||||
dasyanthus | G | with thickly hairy flowers. (Also dasycarpus, thick-fruited.) | Pedicularis dasyantha | H | DS | |
dealbatus | L | coated with white powder; whitened. From dealbo. | Melaleuca dealbata | H | DS | C |
debilis | L | feeble | Helianthus debilis | H | DS | |
decandrus | G | ten-stamened | Ceriops decandra | H | DS | |
decapetalus | G | ten-petalled | Mentzelia decapetala | H | DS | C |
decaphyllus | G | ten-leaved | Oxalis decaphylla | DS | ||
deciduus | L | deciduous, from decido, to fall off | Larix decidua | H | DS | C |
decipiens | L | deceptive, from decipio | Agave decipiens | H | DS | C |
declinatus | L | bending away or down, from declino; declinate | Yucca declinata | H | DS | |
decolorans | L | faded or discoloured, from decolor | Achillea decolorans* | DS | ||
decompositus | L | divided, from de + composito | Lastreopsis decomposita | H | D | |
decorus | L | decorated; decorous | Rhododendron decorum | H | D | C |
decoratus | H | DS | ||||
decorticans | L | stripping bark, from de + cortex | Geoffroea decorticans | DS | ||
decumanus | L | very large; of the tenth part | Canarium decumanum | H | D | |
decumbens | L | reclining; decumbent. From decumbo. | Viola decumbens | H | DS | |
decurrens | L | decurrent, from decurro | Calocedrus decurrens | H | DS | C |
deflexus | L | bent (downward), from deflecto | Eucalyptus deflexa | H | DS | |
deformis | L | disfigured, from deformo | Pheladenia deformis | H | DS | |
dehiscens | L | split, from dehisco; dehiscent | Pentachondra dehiscens* | DS | ||
dejectus | L | low-lying or debased, from deiectus | Opuntia dejecta | H | DS | |
delectus | L | beloved, from dilectus | Rubus delectus* | DS | ||
delicatus | L | delicate; delightful | Eucalyptus delicata | H | DS | |
delicatissimus | L | most delightful | Plectranthus delicatissimus* | D | ||
deliciosus | L | delicious, from deliciae, delight | Monstera deliciosa | H | DS | C |
deltoides | G | triangular; deltoid | Populus deltoides | H | D | C |
deltoideus | H | DS | C | |||
demersus | L | submerged, from demergo | Ceratophyllum demersum | H | DS | C |
deminutus | L | small, from deminutio | Bulbophyllum deminutum | H | S | |
demissus | L | sunken; lowly | Eremophila demissa | H | DS | |
dendricola | G | tree-dwelling; tree-loving | Lomaridium dendrophilum | D | ||
dendrophilus | H | DS | ||||
dendroideus | G | tree-like. (Also dendromorphus, tree-shaped.) | Dendrolycopodium dendroideum | H | DS | |
densus | L | dense | Stenanthium densum | H | DS | |
densatus | H | D | ||||
dentatus | L | toothed; dentate | Banksia dentata | H | DS | C |
dentifer | D | |||||
dentosus | D | |||||
denticulatus | H | DS | C | |||
denudatus | L | denuded, from denudo | Magnolia denudata | H | DS | C |
depauperatus | L | poorly formed, from de + pauper, poor | Trifolium depauperatum | H | DS | |
dependens | L | hanging, from dependeo, to hang from | Bulbophyllum dependens | H | DS | |
depressus | L | depressed; sunken; low | Gaultheria depressa | H | DS | |
deserti | L | of deserts, from desertus | Agave deserti | H | DS | C |
desertorum | H | DS | ||||
detersus | L | wiped clean, from detergeo, to wipe away | Connarus detersus* | DS | ||
detonsus | L | sheared, from detondeo | Hazardia detonsa | H | D | |
deustus | L | scorched, from deuro | Penstemon deustus | H | DS | |
diabolicus | G | two-horned; with a devilish appearance | Acer diabolicum | H | D | |
diacanthus | G | double-thorned; double-spined | Ribes diacanthum | H | D | |
diacritus | G | separated | Hieracium diacritum* | D | ||
diademus | G | crown-like. Stearn and Harrison list diadema. | Stylidium diademum* | H | D | |
diandrus | G | two-stamened | Bromus diandrus | H | DS | |
diaphanus | G | transparent | Cystopteris diaphana | H | DS | |
dichotomus | G | split in two; dichotomous | Juncus dichotomus | H | DS | C |
dichromus | G | two-coloured | Verticordia dichroma | H | D | |
dichrous | H | D | ||||
dicoccus | G | two-berried | Myriophyllum dicoccum* | D | ||
dictyotus | G | netted | Lepidium dictyotum | D | ||
didymus | G | twinned | Lepidium didymum | H | D | |
difformis | L | irregular; unusual | Cyperus difformis | H | D | C |
diffusus | L | spreading | Turnera diffusa | H | D | C |
digitatus | L | digitate (like an open hand), from digitus, finger | Diphasiastrum digitatum | H | DS | C |
dilatus | L | scattered; expanded. From differo. | Viburnum dilatatum | D | ||
dilatatus | H | DS | C | |||
dilutus | L | diluted | Centaurea diluta | H | S | |
dimidiatus | L | halved; divided unequally | Apodytes dimidiata | H | DS | |
dimorphus | G | with two different forms | Caladenia dimorpha | H | DS | |
diodon | G | two-toothed | Valerianella diodon* | D | ||
dioicus | G | dioecious | Aruncus dioicus | H | DS | C |
dipetalus | G | two-petalled | Fraxinus dipetala | H | DS | |
diphyllus | G | two-leaved | Cardamine diphylla | H | D | C |
diplotrichus | G | having two kinds of hairs | Polypodium diplotrichum* | D | ||
dipterus | G | double-winged | Eucalyptus diptera | H | D | C |
dipyrenus | G | two-fruited | Ilex dipyrena* | H | DS | |
disciformis | G | arranged like a disc | Quercus disciformis | H | DS | |
discoideus | G | disc-shaped; lacking rays; discoid | Margaritaria discoidea | H | DS | |
discolor | L | of different colours; discolorous | Diospyros discolor | H | D | C |
dispar | L | unequal; unusual in the genus | Boechera dispar | H | DS | |
dispersus | L | scattered, from dispergo | Mentzelia dispersa | H | DS | |
dissectus | L | segmented. (Also dissaepio.) | Lactuca dissecta | H | DS | |
dissimilis | L | different (from the rest of the genus) | Acacia dissimilis | H | DS | |
dissitus | L | spaced, from dissero, to plant here and there | Carex dissita | DS | ||
distachyus | G | two-branched; double-spiked | Ephedra distachya | H | DS | |
distans | L | far apart | Hibiscadelphus distans | H | DS | |
distichus | G | alternately opposed; in two ranks | Gasteria disticha | H | DS | C |
distortus | L | distorted | Astragalus distortus | H | DS | |
distylus | G | two-styled | Allocasuarina distyla | H | DS | |
diurnus | L | day-blooming; by day | Cestrum diurnum | H | DS | |
divaricatus | L | spreading wide, from divarico, to stretch apart; divaricate | Tabernaemontana divaricata | H | DS | C |
divergens | L | spreading out, from di + vergo, to bend or turn | Acacia divergens | H | DS | |
diversiformis | L | diverse | Romulea diversiformis* | H | DS | |
divisus | L | divided, from divido | Gunniopsis divisa | H | DS | |
dodecandrus | G | with twelve stamens | Cordia dodecandra | H | DS | |
dolabratus | G | axe-shaped | Hypericum dolabriforme | H | DS | C |
dolabriformis | H | DS | ||||
dolichostemon | G | having long stamens | Epimedium dolichostemon* | DS | ||
dolosus | L | deceptive | Artemisia dolosa* | H | DS | |
domesticus | L | domestic; domesticated; of the house | Prunus domestica | H | DS | C |
draco | L | dragon. (Also dracunculus, little dragon.) | Dracaena draco | H | DS | |
drupaceus | G | stone-fruited; with drupes | Juniperus drupacea | H | DS | |
drupifer | H | DS | ||||
dubius | L | doubtful; moving two ways | Nepenthes dubia | H | DS | C |
dulcis | L | sweet | Eleocharis dulcis | H | DS | C |
dumetorum | L | of thickets or hedges, from dumus | Dioscorea dumetorum | H | DS | |
dumosus | L | bushy | Ambrosia dumosa | H | DS | C |
dunensis | L | of sand dunes. From Old English and Latin. | Epipactis dunensis | DS | ||
duplex | L | double | Thryptomene duplicata | DS | ||
duplicatus | H | DS | ||||
durabilis | L | lasting | Acacia durabilis | DS | ||
durus | L | hard | Sporobolus durus | H | DS | |
duriusculus | DS | |||||
dysentericus | G | for dysentery | Eugenia dysenterica | DS | ||
ebenus | L | ebony. (Also ebeneus.) | Diospyros ebenum, Alangium ebenaceum* | H | D | |
ebenaceus | D | |||||
ebracteatus | L | without bracts, from bractea, metal foil | Eremaea ebracteata | H | DS | |
eburneus | L | ivory (the colour) | Diuris eburnea | H | DS | C |
echinatus | L | hedgehog, from echinus | Ceratophyllum echinatum | H | DS | |
eclecteus | G | select. (Also eclectus.) | Rhododendron eclecteum* | D | ||
ecornutus | L | hornless, from cornu, horn, and cornutus | Impatiens ecornuta | H | DS | |
edulis | L | edible | Passiflora edulis | H | DS | C |
effusus | L | unrestrained | Milium effusum | H | DS | C |
elasticus | G | rubber; with latex | Castilla elastica | H | DS | C |
elatior | L | loftier | Primula elatior | H | D | C |
elatus | L | lofty | Cyrtanthus elatus, Leionema elatius | H | DS | C |
elegans | L | elegant | Zinnia elegans | H | DS | C |
elegantulus | H | DS | ||||
elegantissimus | L | most elegant | Plerandra elegantissima | H | D | C |
elephantum | L | of elephants, from elephantus | Lithocarpus elephantum* | D | ||
ellipsoidalis | G | ellipsoid | Quercus ellipsoidalis | H | DS | |
ellipticus | G | elliptical | Adenanthos ellipticus | H | DS | C |
elongatus | L | elongated, from longus | Podocarpus elongatus | H | DS | C |
emarginatus | L | notched, from margo, a border; emarginate | Leptospermum emarginatum | H | DS | |
emeticus | G | emetic | Trichilia emetica | DS | ||
eminens | L | eminent | Sorbus eminens | H | DS | |
encliandrus | G | with half-enclosed stamens | Fuchsia encliandra* | H | ||
enneaphyllus | G | nine-leaved | Echinocereus enneacanthus | H | DS | C |
ensatus | L | sword, from ensis; ensiform | Stylidium ensatum | H | DS | C |
ensiformis | H | DS | ||||
entomophilus | G | insect-loving; entomophilous | Dioscorea entomophila* | D | ||
epigaeus | G | ground | Corallocarpus epigaeus* | DS | ||
epiphyllus | G | (flowers) on the leaves | Davallia epiphylla* | H | S | |
epiphyticus | G | (growing) on a (different) plant | Dendrobium epiphyticum | H | S | |
epipsilus | G | sparse | Viola epipsila | D | ||
episcopalis | G | episcopal | Heliconia episcopalis | D | ||
equestris | L | equestrian | Leionema equestre | H | D | |
erectus | L | erect | Pterostylis erecta | H | DS | C |
erinaceus | L | hedgehog | Aloe erinacea | H | D | |
eriophorus | G | wool-bearing | Cirsium eriophorum | DS | ||
erosus | L | erose | Eucalyptus erosa | H | DS | |
erraticus | L | erratic; non-generic | Jacobaea erratica* | DS | ||
erubescens | L | blushing, from erubesco | Lophospermum erubescens | H | DS | |
erythrocarpus | G | red-fruited | Gahnia erythrocarpa | H | DS | |
esculentus | L | edible | Abelmoschus esculentus | H | DS | C |
estriatus | L | unstriped | Ilex estriata* | DS | ||
etuberosus | L | without tubers, from tuber, a swelling | Solanum etuberosum | DS | ||
euchlorus | G | fresh-green | Praecereus euchlorus | H | D | |
eudoxus | G | reputable | Rhododendron eudoxum | DS | ||
evectus | L | elevated | Angiopteris evecta | D | ||
evertus | L | overturned, from everto | Alsophila everta | D | ||
exaltatus | L | lofty, from altus | Nephrolepis exaltata | H | DS | C |
exaratus | L | engraved, from exaro | Agrostis exarata | H | DS | |
exasperatus | L | rough, from exaspero, to roughen | Bulbophyllum exasperatum | DS | ||
excavatus | L | hollowed out, from excavo | Calochortus excavatus | H | DS | |
excellens | L | excellent | Mimulopsis excellens* | H | D | |
excelsior | L | loftier | Fraxinus excelsior | H | D | |
excelsus | L | lofty | Alectryon excelsus | H | DS | |
excisus | L | excised | Manilkara excisa | H | DS | |
excorticatus | L | peeling or bare, from cortex, bark | Fuchsia excorticata | H | D | |
exiguus | L | paltry | Acianthus exiguus | H | DS | C |
eximius | L | distinguished | Protea eximia | H | DS | C |
exitiosus | L | toxic | Tanaecium exitiosum* | D | ||
exoticus | G | exotic; introduced | Musa exotica | DS | ||
expansus | L | expanded, from pando | Goniothalamus expansus | H | DS | |
explodens | L | exploding | Ronnbergia explodens* | DS | ||
exsculptus | L | carved, from exsculpo | Pronephrium exsculptum* | DS | ||
exsertus | L | protruding; exserted | Acianthus exsertus | H | DS | |
exsurgens | L | rising, from exsurgo | Galium exsurgens* | DS | ||
extensus | L | extended | Eucalyptus extensa | H | DS | |
exudans | L | exuding, from exudo and exsudans | Acacia exudans | DS | ||
facetus | L | fine; refined | Rhododendron facetum | H | ||
falcatus | L | sickle | Sarcochilus falcatus, Cyrtanthus falcatus, Pterostylis falcata | H | DS | C |
falciformis | H | DS | ||||
falcinellus | H | D | ||||
fallax | L | false | Eremophila fallax | H | DS | |
farinaceus | L | farinaceous, from farina, flour | Salvia farinacea | H | DS | |
farinosus | H | DS | ||||
fasciatus | L | bundled, from fascis; fascicled | Eremophila fasciata | H | DS | C |
fascicularis | H | D | ||||
fasciculatus | H | DS | ||||
fastigiatus | L | pointed; fastigiate | Leptospermum fastigiatum, Boronia fastigiata, Verticordia fastigiata | H | DS | |
fastuosus | L | proud | Aerangis fastuosa | H | DS | C |
fatuus | L | foolish; insipid | Avena fatua | H | D | |
febrifugus | L | anti-fever, from febris, fever | Dichroa febrifuga | H | D | C |
fecundus | L | fruitful | Prasophyllum fecundum | H | S | |
femineus | L | feminine. (Also femina.) | Restio femineus* | DS | ||
fenestralis | L | windowed, from fenestra; fenestrate | Beccariophoenix fenestralis | H | DS | |
ferax | L | fruitful | Fargesia ferax* | H | DS | |
ferox | L | fierce | Aconitum ferox, Datura ferox | H | DS | C |
ferreus | L | iron | Mesua ferrea | H | DS | |
ferrugineus | L | rusty, from ferrugo | Lasiopetalum ferrugineum | H | DS | C |
fertilis | L | fertile | Sporobolus fertilis | H | DS | |
ferus | L | feral | none | DS | ||
festivus | L | pretty; festive | Begonia festiva | H | D | |
festalis | H | D | ||||
fibrosus | L | fibrous, from fibra | Dicksonia fibrosa | H | DS | |
fibrillosus | H | DS | ||||
fictus | L | false | Brachyotum fictum | D | ||
filamentosus | L | filamented or filiform, from filum, filament | Caladenia filamentosa | H | DS | |
filiformis | DS | C | ||||
filarius | H | D | ||||
filifer | D | C | ||||
filicinus | L | fern, from filix. (Also filiculoides.) | Azolla filiculoides | H | DS | |
fimbriatus | L | fringed, from fimbriae, fringe | Corybas fimbriatus, Eremaea fimbriata | H | DS | |
fimbriatulus | D | C | ||||
firmus | L | firm | Aconitum firmum | H | DS | |
fissilis | L | fissured; with fissures | Melaleuca fissurata | H | DS | |
fissuratus | H | DS | ||||
fissus | H | DS | ||||
fistulosus | L | hollow, from fistula, tube | Allium fistulosum | H | DS | C |
flabellatus | L | fanned-out, from flabellum | Hymenophyllum flabellatum, Eremophila flabellata | H | DS | C |
flabellifer | H | D | ||||
flabelliformis | H | DS | ||||
flaccidus | L | limp, from flacceo; flaccid. (Also flaccus.) | Yucca flaccida, Caladenia flaccida | H | DS | C |
flagellum | L | whip. (Also flagellifer.) | Rubus flagellaris | DS | ||
flagellaris | H | DS | ||||
flagelliformis | H | DS | ||||
flammula | L | flame | Alloxylon flammeum, Melaleuca flammea | D | ||
flammeus | H | DS | ||||
flavus | L | yellow | Glaucium flavum | H | DS | C |
flavissimus | L | bright yellow | Zephyranthes flavissima* | H | D | |
flavescens | L | light yellow, from flavesco | Diuris flavescens | H | DS | C |
flavens | H | D | ||||
flaveolus | H | DS | ||||
flavidus | H | DS | ||||
flexilis | L | flexible | Pinus flexilis | H | DS | C |
flexuosus | L | twisted; flexuous | Agonis flexuosa, Thelymitra flexuosa | H | DS | C |
floccosus | L | woolly, from floccus, a lock of hair | Limnanthes floccosa | H | DS | |
flocculosus | H | D | ||||
flocciger | H | D | ||||
floribundus | L | flower-abundant, from abundo, to abound | Myoporum floribundum | H | DS | C |
floridus | L | flowery | Cornus florida | H | DS | C |
florifer | H | DS | C | |||
fluitans | L | floating, from fluito | Glyceria fluitans | H | DS | |
fluviatilis | L | river | Melaleuca fluviatilis | H | DS | C |
fluvialis | H | D | ||||
foeminus | L | feminine | Lysimachia foemina | DS | ||
foetidus | L | fetid, from foedo | Passiflora foetida | H | DS | C |
foetidissimus | L | most fetid | Iris foetidissima | H | D | |
foliosus | L | leafy, from folium | Narcissus foliosus, Lepidium foliosum | H | DS | C |
foliatus | H | DS | ||||
foliaceus | H | DS | ||||
foliolosus | L | leaflet, from folio; with folioles | Melaleuca foliolosa | H | DS | |
foliolotus | H | D | ||||
follicularis | L | follicled, from folliculus, a small bag | Cephalotus follicularis | H | DS | |
fontanus | L | fountain | Asplenium fontanum, Cerastium fontanum | H | DS | |
fontinalis | DS | |||||
formosus | L | beautiful | Calothamnus formosus | H | DS | C |
foveolatus | L | dimpled, from fovea, a small pit; foveolate | Cryptocarya foveolata, Chionanthus foveolatus | H | DS | |
fragilis | L | fragile | Opuntia fragilis | H | DS | C |
fragrans | L | fragrant | Myristica fragrans | H | DS | C |
fragrantissimus | L | most fragrant | Lonicera fragrantissima | H | D | C |
frigidus | L | frigid (the habitat) | Petasites frigidus | H | DS | C |
frondosus | L | leafy; with fronds | Bidens frondosa | H | DS | C |
frumentaceus | L | grain, from frumentum | Echinochloa frumentacea | D | ||
fruticosus | L | shrubby | Phlomis fruticosa | H | DS | C |
frutescens | H | DS | C | |||
fruticans | H | D | C | |||
fruticulosus | H | D | ||||
fruticicola | L | shrubland. (Also fruticola.) | Bulbophyllum fruticicola, Henckelia fruticola* | D | ||
fucatus | L | painted | Trifolium fucatum | H | DS | |
fugax | L | fleeting; fugacious | Fontainea fugax | H | DS | |
fulgens | L | shining | Fuchsia fulgens | H | DS | C |
fulgidus | H | DS | C | |||
fuliginosus | L | sooty | Caladenia fuliginosa | H | DS | |
fullonum | L | of fullers | Dipsacus fullonum | D | ||
fulvus | L | tawny | Iris fulva, Caladenia fulva | H | DS | C |
fulvidus | L | light tawny | Austroderia fulvida | H | DS | C |
fulvescens | H | DS | ||||
fumidus | L | smoky | Thismia fumida* | DS | ||
fumosus | L | smoky | Senegalia fumosa* | DS | ||
funebris | L | funereal | Cupressus funebris | H | D | |
fungosus | L | fungal, from fungus | Balanophora fungosa | H | DS | |
funiculatus | L | cord, from funiculus; funicled | Arenaria funiculata | DS | ||
furcatus | L | forked, from furca; furcate | Iris furcata | H | DS | |
furcans | H | D | ||||
furfuraceus | L | scaly, from furfures, bran | Zieria furfuracea | DS | C | |
furiens | L | maddening, from furio | Cirsium furiens* | D | ||
fuscus | L | dark brown | Prasophyllum fuscum | H | DS | C |
fuscatus | H | DS | ||||
fusiformis | L | spindle-shaped, from fusus | Billardiera fusiformis | DS | ||
futilis | L | useless | Bulbophyllum futile | H | D | |
galactinus | G | milky | Rhododendron galactinum | D | ||
galanthus | G | milky-flowered | Allium galanthum | H | DS | |
galeatus | L | helmeted | Verticordia galeata | H | DS | |
galericulatus | H | DS | ||||
gelidus | L | frigid | Campanula gelida | H | DS | |
geminatus | L | paired, from geminus, twin-born | Quercus geminata | DS | ||
gemmatus | L | budding, from gemma, bud | Caladenia gemmata | H | DS | |
gemmifer | H | DS | ||||
geniculatus | L | jointed; bent | Geum geniculatum | H | DS | |
geocarpus | G | buried-fruit | Macrotyloma geocarpum | DS | ||
geometricus | L | geometrical | Weinmannia geometrica* | D | ||
geometrizans | G | geometrical | Myrtillocactus geometrizans | D | ||
gibbus | L | gibbous; humped | Utricularia gibba | H | DS | |
gibberosus | H | D | ||||
gibbosus | H | DS | ||||
gigas | L | giant | Goniothalamus giganteus | DS | C | |
giganteus | H | DS | ||||
gilvus | L | light yellow | Quercus gilva | H | DS | |
glaber | L | smooth (feminine glabra, neuter glabrum) | Calothamnus glaber | H | DS | C |
glabellus | H | DS | ||||
glaberrimus | L | smoothest | Melaleuca glaberrima | D | C | |
glabrescens | L | balding | Adenanthos glabrescens, Leptospermum glabrescens, Kunzea glabrescens | H | DS | C |
glabriusculus | L | semi-smooth | Atriplex glabriuscula | H | DS | C |
glabratus | H | DS | ||||
glacialis | L | glacial | Epacris glacialis | H | DS | |
gladiiformis | L | sword, from gladius | Lepidosperma gladiatum | D | ||
gladiatus | H | D | ||||
glandiformis | L | glandular. (Also glanduliger.) | Anopterus glandulosus | D | C | |
glandulosus | H | DS | ||||
glandulifer | H | DS | ||||
glaphyrus | G | polished | Erica glaphyra* | D | ||
glaucus | L | glaucous | Casuarina glauca, Monotoca glauca, Cyathodes glauca | H | DS | |
glaucoides | D | C | ||||
glaucescens | L | glaucescent | Iris glaucescens | H | DS | C |
glischrus | G | sticky | Ageratina glischra* | D | ||
globifer | L | globe-bearing, from globus, globe | Melaleuca globifera | H | DS | C |
globulifer | H | DS | ||||
globosus | L | globe. (Also globulus.) | Physaria globosa, Gomphrena globosa | H | DS | C |
globularis | H | DS | ||||
globulosus | H | DS | ||||
glomeratus | L | globular, from glomero | Campanula glomerata | H | DS | |
glomerulatus | DS | C | ||||
gloriosus | L | glorious | Wahlenbergia gloriosa | H | D | C |
glumaceus | L | glumed | Conospermum glumaceum | H | DS | |
glutinosus | L | glutinous, from gluten, glue | Alnus glutinosa, Salvia glutinosa | H | DS | C |
gongylodes | G | bulbous | Cissus gongylodes* | H | DS | |
goniocalyx | G | angled-calyx | Eucalyptus goniocalyx | H | DS | |
gracilis | L | slender | Marsippospermum gracile, Prasophyllum gracile, Cautleya gracilis | H | DS | C |
gracilentus | H | D | ||||
gracilior | L | more graceful | Afrocarpus gracilior | D | ||
gracillimus | L | most graceful | Caladenia gracillima | D | ||
gramineus | L | grassy | Iris graminea, Pterostylis graminea | H | DS | C |
grammopetalus | G | striped-petal, from grammo | Potentilla grammopetala* | D | ||
grandis | L | large | Banksia grandis, Micromyrtus grandis | H | DS | C |
graniticus | L | granite | Calothamnus graniticus | H | DS | |
granulatus | L | granular, from granum | Zieria granulata | H | DS | |
granulosus | H | DS | ||||
gratus | L | gratifying | Encephalartos gratus | H | DS | |
gratissimus | L | most gratifying | Croton gratissimus | H | D | |
graveolens | L | strong-smelling | Durio graveolens | H | DS | C |
griseus | L | grey | Eucalyptus grisea | H | DS | C |
grosseserratus | L | saw-toothed, from serratus, serrated. Stearn hyphenates grosse-serratus. | Veronica grosseserrata* | H | DS | C |
grossus | L | coarse; large | Banksia grossa, Eucalyptus grossa | H | DS | |
gruinus | L | crane, from grus | Erodium gruinum* | D | ||
gummifer | L | gummy | Ceratopetalum gummiferum | H | D | |
gummosus | H | DS | ||||
guttatus | L | spotted, from gutta | Tuberaria guttata | H | DS | C |
gymnocarpus | G | naked-fruited | Rosa gymnocarpa | H | DS | |
gyrans | L | circling, from gyrus | Andropogon gyrans | DS | ||
habrotrichus | G | soft-haired | Alseodaphne habrotricha* | D | ||
haematodes | G | bloody. (Also haematacanthus.) | Ferocactus haematacanthus, Cymbidium haematodes* | H | D | |
halophilus | G | salt-loving | Iris halophila | H | DS | |
hamatus | L | hooked | Nepenthes hamata | H | DS | |
hamosus | H | DS | ||||
hastatus | L | spear, from hastatus; hastate | Salix hastata, Caladenia hastata | H | DS | C |
hastilis | DS | |||||
hastulatus | H | D | ||||
hastifer | L | spear-bearing | Thelocactus hastifer | DS | ||
hebecarpus | G | fuzzy-fruited | Senna hebecarpa | H | D | C |
helix | G | helix | Hedera helix | H | D | |
helodes | G | marsh | Echinochloa helodes* | H | D | |
helvolus | L | light yellow-brown | Strophostyles helvola | H | D | |
hemisphaericus | L | hemispherical, from sphaera, sphere | Quercus hemisphaerica | H | DS | |
hemitrichotus | G | half-hairy | Rhododendron hemitrichotum* | D | ||
hepaticus | G | liver-coloured | Anemone hepatica | H | S | |
heptaphyllus | G | seven-leaved | Ipomoea heptaphylla | H | DS | C |
herbaceus | L | herbaceous, from herba, herb | Smilax herbacea | H | DS | C |
hesperus | G | western | Parietaria hespera | D | ||
heterolepis | G | diverse-scaled | Sporobolus heterolepis | D | C | |
heterophyllus | G | diverse-leaved | Cistus heterophyllus | H | DS | C |
heterochromus | G | diverse-coloured | Utricularia heterochroma | D | ||
heterodoxus | G | non-generic | Heliamphora heterodoxa | H | D | |
heteromorphus | G | diverse-formed; heteromorphic | Dypsis heteromorpha | D | ||
hexagonus | G | hexagonal | Iris hexagona | H | DS | |
hexandrus | G | six-stamened | Leersia hexandra | H | DS | C |
hians | L | wide-open, from hio, to gape | Salvia hians | H | DS | |
hibernus | L | winter | Austrocactus hibernus* | DS | ||
hiemalis | L | winter. (Also hyemalis.) | Caladenia hiemalis | H | DS | C |
hieroglyphicus | G | hieroglyphic | Vriesea hieroglyphica | D | ||
hircinus | L | goat | Hypericum hircinum | H | DS | |
hirsutus | L | hairy; hirsute | Calothamnus hirsutus, Stapelia hirsuta | H | DS | C |
hirsutulus | H | D | ||||
hirsutissimus | L | hairiest | Lupinus hirsutissimus | H | D | C |
hirtus | L | hairy | Mimetes hirtus | H | DS | C |
hirtellus | H | D | ||||
hispidus | L | bristly; hispid. (Also hispidulus.) | Acalypha hispida | H | DS | C |
holocarpus | G | whole-carpelled; whole-fruited | Atriplex holocarpa | DS | ||
hololeucus | G | all-white | Artemisia hololeuca* | D | ||
holosericeus | G | silk-covered | Melaleuca holosericea | H | D | |
homolepis | G | evenly scaled | Abies homolepis | D | C | |
horizontalis | G | horizontal | Cotoneaster horizontalis | H | DS | C |
horridus | L | prickly | Banksia horrida, Hakea horrida | H | DS | |
hortensis | L | garden, from hortus. (Also hortensius.) | Anemone hortensis | H | DS | C |
hortorum | H | DS | ||||
hortulanus | H | DS | ||||
humifusus | L | humifuse; low-spreading, from humus, ground, and fusus, spread out | Opuntia humifusa, Scaevola humifusa, Boronia humifusa | H | DS | C |
humilis | L | low | Jasminum humile, Rivina humilis, Allocasuarina humilis | H | DS | C |
hyalinus | L | glass, from hyalus; hyaline | Melica hyalina | H | DS | |
hybridus | L | hybrid, from hybrida, mongrel | Trifolium hybridum | H | DS | C |
hylaeus | G | forest | Theobroma hylaeum* | H | D | |
hylophilus | G | forest-loving | Piper hylophilum | D | ||
hymenodes | G | filmy | Alsophila hymenodes | D | ||
hyperboreus | G | far northern | Bidens hyperborea | H | DS | |
hypochondriacus | G | melancholy | Amaranthus hypochondriacus | H | D | C |
hypogaeus | G | underground | Arachis hypogaea | H | DS | |
hypoglaucus | G | glaucous-backed | Cissus hypoglauca | H | DS | |
hypokerina | G | waxy-backed | Berberis hypokerina | D | ||
hypophaeus | G | dark-backed | Quercus hypophaea | DS | ||
hypoleucus | G | white-backed | Lobelia hypoleuca | H | DS | |
hypophyllus | G | hypophyllous | Phyllocladus hypophyllus | H | DS | |
hystrix | G | porcupine | Schizolaena hystrix | H | D | C |
See also
- Glossary of botanical terms
- List of Greek and Latin roots in English
- List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
- List of plant genus names with etymologies: A–C, D–K, L–P, Q–Z
- List of plant genera named for people: A–C, D–J, K–P, Q–Z
- List of plant family names with etymologies
Notes
- ^ Words in the third column following "from" are related words from Classical Latin. The Latin and Latinised Greek words in the first column have masculine endings. If the genus is feminine, the -us ending generally becomes -a, -is is unchanged, and -er becomes -era, or occasionally -ra, as noted; other endings remain unchanged. For a neuter genus, -us becomes -um, -is becomes -e and -er becomes -erum, or occasionally -rum.
- ^ The arrow provides a link to the table row that describes the species epithet.
- ^ Since all of the references cited in the table except Coombes arrange their species epithets alphabetically, citations with page numbers are provided only for Coombes, and each source in the table except for Coombes is always represented by the same superscript.
- ^ Red links for species are followed by an asterisk linking to the genus.
- ^ The -um ending here denotes a genitive plural noun.
- ^ Harrison and Bayton list an -erus ending for many -fer and -ger epithets; Stearn occasionally gives an -ers ending.
- ^ The suffix -ulus and other diminutives can mean, among other things, "little" or "a little"; the exact meanings are beyond the scope of this list.
Citations
- ^ Cullen, p. 38.
- ^ The Linnean Society.
- ^ Stearn, p. ix, x.
- ^ Harrison.
- ^ Bayton.
- ^ Stearn 2004.
- ^ Lewis.
- ^ Stearn.
- ^ POWO.
- ^ Gledhill.
- ^ Coombes, p. 83.
- ^ Coombes, p. 251.
- ^ Coombes, p. 102.
- ^ Coombes, p. 260.
- ^ Coombes, p. 257.
- ^ Coombes, p. 240.
- ^ Coombes, p. 99.
- ^ Coombes, p. 268.
- ^ Coombes, p. 249.
- ^ Coombes, p. 107.
- ^ Coombes, p. 231.
- ^ Coombes, p. 189.
- ^ Coombes, p. 32.
- ^ Coombes, p. 128.
- ^ Coombes, p. 177.
- ^ Coombes, p. 138.
- ^ Coombes, p. 23.
- ^ Coombes, p. 266.
- ^ Coombes, p. 300.
- ^ Coombes, p. 248.
- ^ Coombes, p. 29.
- ^ Coombes, p. 242.
- ^ Coombes, p. 35.
- ^ Coombes, p. 184.
- ^ Coombes, p. 70.
- ^ Coombes, p. 96.
- ^ Coombes, p. 228.
- ^ Coombes, p. 308.
- ^ Coombes, p. 171.
- ^ Coombes, p. 197.
- ^ Coombes, p. 206.
- ^ Coombes, p. 271.
- ^ Coombes, p. 39.
- ^ Stearn 2004, p. 301.
- ^ Coombes, p. 41.
- ^ Coombes, p. 238.
- ^ Coombes, p. 87.
- ^ Coombes, p. 31.
- ^ Coombes, p. 124.
- ^ Coombes, p. 227.
- ^ Coombes, p. 255.
- ^ Coombes, p. 272.
- ^ Coombes, p. 42.
- ^ Coombes, p. 47.
- ^ Coombes, p. 34.
- ^ Coombes, p. 33.
- ^ Coombes, p. 72.
- ^ Coombes, p. 245.
- ^ Coombes, p. 43.
- ^ Coombes, p. 202.
- ^ Coombes, p. 121.
- ^ Coombes, p. 123.
- ^ Coombes, p. 216.
- ^ Coombes, p. 275.
- ^ Coombes, p. 74.
- ^ Coombes, p. 111.
- ^ Coombes, p. 44.
- ^ Coombes, p. 210.
- ^ Coombes, p. 292.
- ^ Coombes, p. 82.
- ^ Coombes, p. 37.
- ^ Coombes, p. 276.
- ^ Coombes, p. 290.
- ^ Coombes, p. 116.
- ^ Coombes, p. 160.
- ^ Coombes, p. 229.
- ^ Coombes, p. 26.
- ^ Coombes, p. 263.
- ^ Coombes, p. 219.
- ^ Coombes, p. 50.
- ^ Coombes, p. 52.
- ^ Coombes, p. 104.
- ^ Coombes, p. 67.
- ^ Coombes, p. 262.
- ^ Coombes, p. 194.
- ^ Coombes, p. 170.
- ^ Coombes, p. 213.
- ^ Coombes, p. 270.
- ^ Coombes, p. 106.
- ^ Coombes, p. 209.
- ^ Coombes, p. 134.
- ^ Coombes, p. 253.
- ^ Coombes, p. 114.
- ^ Coombes, p. 97.
- ^ Coombes, p. 136.
- ^ Coombes, p. 101.
- ^ Coombes, p. 246.
- ^ Coombes, p. 267.
- ^ Coombes, p. 48.
- ^ Coombes, p. 277.
- ^ Coombes, p. 144.
- ^ Coombes, p. 69.
- ^ Coombes, p. 108.
- ^ Coombes, p. 235.
- ^ Coombes, p. 38.
- ^ Coombes, p. 84.
- ^ Coombes, p. 139.
- ^ Coombes, p. 49.
- ^ Coombes, p. 25.
- ^ Coombes, p. 86.
- ^ Coombes, p. 287.
- ^ Coombes, p. 143.
- ^ Coombes, p. 288.
- ^ Coombes, p. 163.
- ^ Coombes, p. 174.
- ^ Coombes, p. 181.
- ^ Coombes, p. 77.
- ^ Coombes, p. 59.
- ^ Coombes, p. 89.
- ^ Coombes, p. 203.
- ^ Coombes, p. 60.
- ^ Coombes, p. 243.
- ^ Coombes, p. 142.
- ^ Coombes, p. 76.
- ^ Coombes, p. 302.
- ^ Coombes, p. 46.
- ^ Coombes, p. 180.
- ^ Coombes, p. 283.
- ^ Coombes, p. 135.
- ^ Coombes, p. 122.
- ^ Coombes, p. 225.
- ^ Coombes, p. 221.
- ^ Coombes, p. 54.
- ^ Coombes, p. 125.
- ^ Coombes, p. 273.
- ^ Coombes, p. 162.
- ^ Coombes, p. 182.
- ^ Coombes, p. 78.
- ^ Coombes, p. 165.
- ^ Coombes, p. 63.
- ^ Coombes, p. 117.
- ^ Coombes, p. 195.
- ^ Coombes, p. 66.
- ^ Coombes, p. 259.
- ^ Coombes, p. 105.
- ^ Coombes, p. 309.
- ^ Coombes, p. 57.
- ^ Coombes, p. 81.
- ^ Coombes, p. 137.
- ^ Coombes, p. 30.
- ^ Coombes, p. 24.
- ^ Coombes, p. 27.
- ^ Coombes, p. 207.
- ^ Coombes, p. 280.
- ^ Coombes, p. 133.
- ^ Coombes, p. 211.
- ^ Coombes, p. 218.
- ^ Coombes, p. 254.
References
- Bayton, Ross (2020). The Gardener's Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-20017-0.
- Coombes, Allen (2012). The A to Z of Plant Names: A Quick Reference Guide to 4000 Garden Plants. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 9781604691962.
- Cullen, Katherine E. (2006). Biology: The People Behind the Science. New York, New York: Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9780816072217.
- Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453.
- Harrison, Lorraine (2012). Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226009193.
- Lewis, Charlton (1891). An Elementary Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199102051. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
- The Linnean Society (August 1992). "Publications by William T. Stearn on bibliographical, botanical and horticultural subjects, 1977–1991; a chronological list". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 109 (4): 443–451. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1992.tb01443.x. ISSN 0024-4074.
- POWO (2019). "Plants of the World Online". London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See terms of use.
- Stearn, William (2004). Botanical Latin. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 9780881926279.
- Stearn, William (2002). Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. London: Cassell. ISBN 9780304364695.
Further reading
- Brown, Roland (1956). Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 9781560988489.
- Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (2013). An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon. Mansfield Centre, Connecticut: Martino Fine Books. ISBN 9781614273974. Reprint of the 1888/1889 edition. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.