Biology:List of descriptive plant epithets (I–Z)

Short description: Wikipedia list article

Vitis vinifera ("wine-bearing")

Since the first printing of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plant species have been assigned one epithet (name) for the species and one 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 species epithets from Stearn's Dictionary, excluding proper nouns and proper adjectives (derived from the names of things, such as people, places, and genus epithets). Also excluded are some repetitive suffixes for plant parts and colours, and epithets used only in species names that, for a variety of reasons, are no longer widely accepted.

The third column frequently cites Charlton T. Lewis's An Elementary Latin Dictionary. The last three columns indicate citations to Latin for Gardeners by Lorraine Harrison, Botanical Latin by Stearn (not to be confused with Stearn's Dictionary), and The A to Z of Plant Names by Allen Coombes. Almost all the epithets in the first column also appear in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants, and for those not covered verbatim, he covers similar words with different prefixes or suffixes.

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 in Harrison's Latin for Gardeners

S = listed in Stearn's Botanical Latin

C = listed in Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names

Cf. = "compare with" (from sources other than Stearn's Dictionary)

Epithets

Cuphea ignea←

Cylindropuntia imbricata←

Fritillaria imperialis←

Illustration of Epacris impressa←

Matthiola incana←

Corybas incurvus←

Nepenthes inermis←

Eriogonum inflatum←

Euphorbia ingens←

Illustration of Salvia interrupta←

Davidia involucrata←

Portea kermesina←

Leptospermum lanigerum←

Astragalus lentiginosus←

Tibouchina lepidota←

Banksia leptophylla←

Illustration of Persoonia linearis←

Helleborus lividus←

Quercus lobata←

Dasylirion longissimum←

Potamogeton lucens←

Gentiana lutea←

Iris lutescens←

Ficus macrophylla←

Flindersia maculosa←

Eremophila malacoides←

Anaphalis margaritacea←

Pancratium maritimum←

Salvinia minima←

Vinca minor←

Asplenium montanum←

Cymbalaria muralis←

Hibiscus mutabilis←

Boronia nana←

Trapa natans←

Anemonoides nemorosa←

An illustration of Liparis nervosa←

Dried peppercorns of black pepper (Piper nigrum←)

Pyrorchis nigricans←

Calochortus nitidus←

Galanthus nivalis←

Cestrum nocturnum←

Ficinia nodosa←

Coconut (Cocos nucifera←)

Quince (Cydonia oblonga←)

Tabebuia ochracea←

Dryas octopetala←

Verticordia oculata←

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale←)

Myoporum oppositifolium←

Melaleuca oxyphylla←

Lycium pallidum←

Diplocyclos palmatus←

Toxicoscordion paniculatum←

Narcissus papyraceus←

Lilium pardalinum←

Camissonia parvula←

Stephanomeria pauciflora←

Echinocereus pectinatus←

Sidalcea pedata←

Tetraphis pellucida←

Illustration of Pelargonium peltatum←

Betula pendula←

Banksia penicillata←

Stipa pennata←

Eupatorium perfoliatum←

Diplacus pictus←

Eucalyptus pileata←

Xanthosia pilosa←

Eucalyptus pilularis←

Thuja plicata←

Sannantha pluriflora←

Syngonium podophyllum←

Corymbia polycarpa←

Maclura pomifera←

Pinus ponderosa←

Trifolium pratense←

Abies procera←

Juniperus procumbens←

Ceanothus prostratus←

Eucalyptus pulverulenta←

Anacamptis pyramidalis←

Paris quadrifolia←

Akebia quinata←

Sambucus racemosa←

Lycoris radiata←

Boronia repanda←

Hippeastrum reticulatum←

Ficus rubiginosa←

Acer rubrum←

Pterostylis rufa←

Rosa rugosa←

Banksia serrata←

Banksia sessilis←

Banksia speciosa←

Acacia strongylophylla←

Aeonium tabuliforme←

Persoonia terminalis←

Eucalyptus tetraptera←

Indigofera tinctoria←

Amorphophallus titanum←

Alectryon tomentosus←

Aristolochia tricaudata←

Allium tricoccum←

Reutealis trisperma←

Da Vinci sketch of Ornithogalum umbellatum←

Pogonatum urnigerum←

Neotinea ustulata←

Yucca valida←

Codiaeum variegatum←

Myoporum velutinum←

Painting of Ensete ventricosum←

Calochortus venustus←

Iris versicolor←

Aloe vera←

Fragaria vesca←

Aldrovanda vesiculosa←

Vitis vinifera←

Banksia violacea←

Panicum virgatum←

Comesperma volubile←

Tradescantia zebrina←

Cryptanthus zonatus←

Epithets	LG	Meaning and additional epithets	Species	H	S	C
ianthinus	G	bluish-purple	Justicia ianthina
icosandrus	G	twenty-stamened	Phytolacca icosandra	H	S
idoneus	L	worthy	Lupinus idoneus*		S
igneus	L	fiery red	Cuphea ignea, Heliconia ignescens*	H	S	C
ignescens				H	S
ignotus	L	(formerly) unknown	Tricalysia ignota*		S
illecebrosus	L	enticing, from illecebra	Tigridia illecebrosa*	H	S
illinitus	L	smeared, from lino, to smear	Escallonia illinita*	H	S
illustris	L	lustrous, from lustro, to illuminate	Ilex illustris	H		C
imbecillus	L	feeble	Agrostis imbecilla*		S
imbecillis					S
imberbis	L	unbearded	Combretum imberbe	H	S
imbricatus	L	overlapping, from imbrex, gutter tile; imbricate. Cf. imbricans, imbricarius.	Cylindropuntia imbricata	H	S	C
immaculatus	L	immaculate, from macula, stain	Dicerandra immaculata	H	S
immersus	L	immersed	Navia immersa	H	S
impeditus	L	impeded	Tragia impedita*		S	C
imperator	L	war leader; emperor	Fritillaria imperialis, Epidendrum imperator*
imperialis				H		C
implexus	L	interwoven	Acacia implexa	H	S
impressus	L	engraved; creased	Epacris impressa	H	S	C
impudicus	L	impudent	Heliconia impudica		S
inaequalis	L	unequal	Dryopteris inaequalis	H	S
inapertus	L	closed, from apertus	Agapanthus inapertus		S	C
incanus	L	grey-haired	Matthiola incana	H	S	C
incarnatus	L	peach-coloured, from caro, flesh	Asclepias incarnata	H	S	C
incertus	L	uncertain	Penstemon incertus	H	S
incisus	L	cut deeply; incised	Urtica incisa	H	S	C
inclinatus	L	inclined	Bulbophyllum inclinatum	H	S
incomparabilis	L	incomparable, from comparabilis	Stapelia incomparabilis*	H	S
incomptus	L	unkempt	Blakea incompta	H
inconspicuus	L	inconspicuous, from conspicuus	Trithuria inconspicua	H	S
incrassatus	L	stout, from crassus, thick	Eucalyptus incrassata	H	S
incurvus	L	bowed; incurved	Corybas incurvus, Dacryodes incurvata	H	S	C
incurvatus				H	S
indivisus	L	undivided, from divido	Cordyline indivisa	H	S
induratus	L	hardened	Eucalyptus indurata	H	S
inebrians	L	intoxicating, from inebrio	Lagochilus inebrians	H
inermis	L	unarmed	Nepenthes inermis	H	S	C
infaustus	L	unfortunate	Vangueria infausta	H
infectorius	L	tinted, from infector, dyer	Quercus infectoria	H
infestus	L	troublesome	Adolphia infesta*	H	S
inflatus	L	swollen; inflated	Eriogonum inflatum, Utricularia inflata	H	S	C
inflexus	L	bowed; inflexed	Utricularia inflexa		S
infortunatus	L	unfortunate	Clerodendrum infortunatum	H
infractus	L	bent, from frango, to fracture	Hypolobus infractus	H	S
infundibuli­formis	L	funnel-shaped. Cf. infundibulus.	Crossandra infundibuliformis	H	S
ingens	L	huge	Euphorbia ingens	H	S
innominatus	L	uncelebrated, from nominatus; nameless	Iris innominata		S
innoxius	L	harmless. Cf. inoxius.	Datura innoxia		S
inodorus	L	unscented, from odorus	Tripleurospermum inodorum	H	S
inopinus	L	unexpected	Encephalartos inopinus
inornatus	L	plain	Boronia inornata	H
inquinans	L	stained, from inquino	Pelargonium inquinans	H
inscriptus	L	inscribed	Calathea inscripta*
insignis	L	significant	Nepenthes insignis	H	S	C
insipidus	L	insipid, from sapio	Ficus insipida		S
insititius	L	grafted, from insitio, a grafting	Prunus insititia	H	S
insulanus	L	island	Alsophila insulana, Digitaria insularis	H
insularis				H	S
intactus	L	intact	Anthurium intactum*		S
intaminatus	L	uncontaminated	Cyclamen intaminatum
integer	L	undivided; entire. Feminine integra, neuter integrum.	Artocarpus integer, Ochna integerrima	H	S	C
integerrimus					S	C
intermedius	L	intermediate, from medium, middle	Thinopyrum intermedium	H	S	C
interruptus	L	gapped	Salvia interrupta	H	S
intertextus	L	interwoven	Eucalyptus intertexta	H
intortus	L	contorted, from intorqueo	Acacia intorta	H	S
intricatus	L	entangled	Dipterocarpus intricatus	H	S
introrsus	L	turned inwards; introrse	Endiandra introrsa		S
intumescens	L	tumescent, from intumesco	Acrocomia intumescens	H	S
inundatus	L	inundated, from inundo	Lycopodiella inundata		S
inutilis	L	useless	Allium inutile
inversus	L	inverted	Astragalus inversus	H	S
invisus	L	unseen	Silene invisa
involucratus	L	enveloped, from involucrum, wrapper; involucred	Davidia involucrata	H	S	C
involutus	L	rolled up, from involvo; involute	Bulbophyllum involutum	H	S
involvens	L	wrapping-around	Utricularia involvens		S
iridescens	L	iridescent, from iris, rainbow	Caladenia iridescens	H
irrasus	L	unshaven, from rasus	Grevillea irrasa
irregularis	L	not symmetric, from regula, rule; irregular	Polygala irregularis	H	S
irriguus	L	irrigated; wet	Stellaria irrigua*	H	S
irritans	L	irritating, from irrito	Triodia irritans
irroratus	L	besprinkled,from irroro	Acacia irrorata
isophyllus	G	even-leaved	Campanula isophylla	H	S	C
ixocarpus	G	sticky-fruited	Indigofera ixocarpa*	H
jubatus	L	crested, from iubatus; awned	Hordeum jubatum	H	S	C
jucundus	L	joyful; pleasant	Conophytum jucundum	H		C
jugalis	L	yoked	Melicope jugosa, Psychotria jugalis*	H
jugosus				H
junceus	L	made of rushes; rush-like	Psathyrostachys juncea	H	S	C
kermesinus	L	crimson, from Arabic and Latin	Portea kermesina	H	S
labiatus	L	lipped, from labium, lip	Cattleya labiata, Zygosepalum labiosum	H	S
labiosus				H	S
labilis	L	labile, from labo, to totter or slip	Celtis labilis*	H
lacerus	L	jagged, from lacer, lacerated. Stearn's spelling is lacer.	Spiranthes lacera, Calanthe lacerata*	H	S
laceratus					S
laciniatus	L	roughly segmented	Silphium laciniatum, Carya laciniosa	H	S	C
laciniosus					S	C
lachnopodus	G	woolly-footed	Stylidium lachnopodum*		S
lacrimans	L	weeping, from lacrimo	Eucalyptus lacrimans	H
lacteus	L	milky	Iris lactea, Hieracium lactescens	H	S	C
lactescens
lactifer	L	milk; with milky sap	Gymnema lactiferum	H	S
lacunosus	L	full of hollows	Ipomoea lacunosa	H	S
lacustris	L	lake, from lacus	Iris lacustris	H	S	C
laetus	L	joyful; bright	Myoporum laetum	H	S
laevis	L	smooth	Hibiscus laevis, Echinacea laevigata	H	S	C
laevigatus				H		C
lamellatus	L	layered, from lamina, a thin sheet; lamellate	Leptospermum lamellatum	H	S
lanatus	L	woolly	Citrullus lanatus	H	S	C
lanceus	L	lance, from lancea	Searsia lancea	H
lanceolatus	L	lanceolate	Persoonia lanceolata	H	S	C
laniger	L	fleecy	Leptospermum lanigerum, Myriopteris lanosa, Fraxinus lanuginosa	H	S	C
lanosus				H	S	C
lanuginosus				H	S	C
lasiocarpus	G	woolly-fruited	Abies lasiocarpa		S	C
latebrosus	L	with lurking-holes; concealing	Vexatorella latebrosa
lateralis	L	lateral, from latus, side	Calothamnus lateralis	H	S
lateritius	L	brick-red, from later, brick	Melaleuca lateritia	H	S	C
latifolius	L	broad-leaved, from latus, broad	Isopogon latifolius	H	S	C
laudatus	L	laudible	Rhododendron laudandum*	H
laudandus
laxus	L	relaxed; lax	Freesia laxa	H	S	C
leiocarpus	G	smooth-fruited	Angophora leiocarpa	H	S
lenticularis	L	lens; lenticular	Isolepis lenticularis, Atriplex lentiformis		S
lentiformis					S	C
lentiginosus	L	spotted	Astragalus lentiginosus	H	S
lentus	L	pliant	Betula lenta	H	S	C
leonis	L	lion, from leo. Neuter leonis.	Phacelia leonis	H
leopardinus	G	spotted	Bulbophyllum leopardinum	H
lepidotus	G	scaly	Tibouchina lepidota		S
lepidus	L	elegant	Lupinus lepidus	H
leptophyllus	G	slender-leaved	Banksia leptophylla	H	S	C
lepturoides	G	hare's-tail	Acantholimon lepturoides*
leucanthus	G	white-flowered	Stenomesson leucanthum	H	S	C
lignosus	L	woody, from lignum	Dipogon lignosus	H	S
ligularis	L	shoe-strap, from ligula; liguled	Passiflora ligularis, Schoenus ligulatus	H
ligulatus				H	S
limbatus	L	bordered, from limbus, border	Fissidens limbatus	H	S
limosus	L	muddy	Schoenus limosus	H	S
limnophilus	G	marsh-loving	Myriophyllum limnophilum*		S
linearis	L	linear	Persoonia linearis	H	S	C
lineatus	L	lined	Iris lineata	H	S	C
lingua	L	tongue	Pterostylis lingua	H	S	C
linguiformis				H	S
lingulatus				H	S
lissocarpus	G	smooth-fruited	Synostemon lissocarpus*
lithophilus	G	rock-loving	Isoetes lithophila*	H	S
littoralis	L	littoral, from litus, shore	Griselinia littoralis, Acacia littorea	H	S	C
littoreus				H	S
lividus	L	lead-coloured	Helleborus lividus	H	S	C
lobatus	G	lobed	Quercus lobata	H	S	C
lobulatus				H
lochmius	G	thicket	Rhododendron lochmium*
longus	L	long	Curcuma longa	H	S	C
longissimus	L	longest	Dasylirion longissimum	H	S	C
lophanthus	G	crested-flower	Paraserianthes lophantha	H	S
lorifolius	L	strap-leaved, from lorum	Protea lorifolia
lucens	L	shining; clear. From luceo.	Potamogeton lucens	H	S
lucidus				H		C
lunatus	L	lunate	Phaseolus lunatus	H	S	C
lunulatus				H	S
luridus	L	greyish-yellow	Pelargonium luridum	H	S
luteus	L	yellow	Gentiana lutea	H	S	C
luteolus	L	light yellow	Iris lutescens	H	S
lutescens					S	C
luxurians	L	luxuriant, from luxurio	Araucaria luxurians	H	S	C
lyratus	L	lyre, from lyra; lyrate	Arabidopsis lyrata		S	C
lysistemon	G	loose-stamened	Erythrina lysistemon
macilentus	L	gaunt, from macies	Archaeopteris macilenta	H	S
macrophyllus	G	big-leaved	Ficus macrophylla	H	S	C
maculosus	L	spotted	Flindersia maculosa	H	S	C
maculatus				H	S	C
maculifer
magnificus	L	magnificent	Cercidiphyllum magnificum	H		C
magnus	L	big	Crateva magna	H	S
major	L	bigger. Stearn also lists majus. From maior, neuter maius.	Plantago major	H	S	C
majalis	L	(flowering in) May, from Maius	Convallaria majalis	H		C
majesticus	L	majestic, from maiestas	Brillantaisia majestica*
malacoides	G	soft	Eremophila malacoides	H
mammillaris	L	nippled, from mamilla	Mammillaria mammillaris, Erica mammosa	H
mammiformis					S
mammillatus				H	S
mammosus				H	S
manicatus	L	long-sleeved	Gunnera manicata	H	S	C
manipuliflorus	L	with small bundles of flowers, from manipulus, a handful	Erica manipuliflora*		S
margaritaceus	L	pearly, from margarita	Anaphalis margaritacea	H	S	C
margaritus				H
margaritifer				H
marginalis	L	bordered, from margino	Banksia marginata	H	S	C
marginatus				H	S	C
marginellus
maritimus	L	maritime	Pancratium maritimum	H	S	C
marmoreus	L	marble	Sempervivum marmoreum, Kalanchoe marmorata	H	S	C
marmoratus				H	S
mas	L	with masculine qualities	Cornus mas	H	S	C
masculus				H	S
matronalis	L	matronly	Hesperis matronalis			C
maxillaris	L	jaw, from maxilla	Bulbophyllum maxillare	H
maximus	L	biggest. Cf. max.	Heracleum maximum	H	S	C
medicus	L	medicinal	Citrus medica	H	S	C
medius	L	medium or middle	Campanula medium	H	S	C
medullaris	L	pithy, from medulla, marrow	Sphaeropteris medullaris	H
medullus				H
megacarpus	G	with big fruit	Schoenus megacarpus	H	S
megalophyllus	G	with big leaves	Muniria megalophylla	H	S	C
megeratus	G	very lovely	Rhododendron megeratum*
meiacanthus	G	little-spined	Mammillaria meiacantha*		S
melancholicus	L	melancholy	Besleria melancholica*		S
mellitus	L	honey	Navarretia mellita	H	S
melleus					S
mellifer				H		C
melliodorus	L	honey-scented. Stearn also lists meliodorus.	Eucalyptus melliodora	H
meloformis	L	melon-shaped	Euphorbia meloformis*	H
membranaceus	L	membranous, from membrana	Scadoxus membranaceus	H	S
meridianus	L	(flowering at) midday; southern	Caladenia meridionalis	H
meridionalis				H	S	C
metallicus	L	metal, from metallum	Calochilus metallicus	H	S	C
micans	L	sparkling	Shorea micans		S
micranthus	G	small-flowered	Eremophila micrantha	H	S	C
militaris	L	military	Orchis militaris	H
millefolius	L	thousand-leaved, from mille	Potentilla millefolia	H	S	C
mimetes	G	mimic	Senecio mimetes*
minax	L	menacing	Bulbophyllum minax
miniatus	L	red-tinged	Aechmea miniata	H	S	C
minimus	L	smallest	Salvinia minima	H	S	C
minor	L	smaller. Stearn also lists minus. From minor, neuter minus.	Vinca minor	H	S	C
minutus	L	minute	Marsilea minuta	H	S
minutissimus	L	minutest	Bulbophyllum minutissimum	H
mirabilis	L	amazing	Nepenthes mirabilis	H		C
mitis	L	gentle	Caryota mitis	H	S
mitratus	L	turbaned	Blepharis mitrata	H
mitriformis				H	S
mixtus	L	hybrid; mixed	Passiflora mixta	H	S
modestus	L	modest	Carpobrotus modestus	H		C
mollis	L	soft	Leymus mollis	H	S	C
mollissimus	L	softest	Castanea mollissima	H		C
monilifer	L	necklace, from monile	Allocasuarina monilifera, Consolea moniliformis	H
moniliformis				H	S
monogynus	G	single-ovaried	Crataegus monogyna	H	S	C
monstrosus	L	monstrous, from monstruosus	Aegiphila monstrosa	H	S
montanus	L	mountain. Cf. montensis.	Asplenium montanum, Acacia monticola	H	S	C
monticola				H
montigenus				H
moschatus	G	musky	Cucurbita moschata	H	S	C
mucosus	L	slimy, from mucus, mucus	Euryops mucosus	H	S
mucronatus	L	sharp-edged, from mucro, sword-point or edge; mucronate	Ziziphus mucronata	H	S	C
mucronulatus	L	short-pointed	Grevillea mucronulata	H		C
multifidus	L	divided into many parts	Leucospora multifida	H	S	C
mundulus	L	elegant, from mundus	Hackelia mundula	H
muralis	L	wall	Cymbalaria muralis	H	S	C
musaicus	L	mosaic. Stearn also lists mosaicus.	Guzmania musaica	H	S
muscipulus	L	fly-catching, from musca	Dionaea muscipula	H
muscitoxicus	L	toxic to flies	Amianthium muscitoxicum
muscivorus	L	fly-eating, from voro	Helicodiceros muscivorus	H
muscosus	L	mossy	Crassula muscosa	H	S
muscoides				H
mutabilis	L	mutable	Hibiscus mutabilis	H	S	C
mutatus	L	changed	Apoballis mutata*	H	S
mutilatus	L	mutilated; blunt. From mutilus.	Cirsium muticum	H	S
muticus				H	S
myriophyllus	G	myriad-leaved	Pilea myriophylla	H	S
myrmeco­philus	G	ant-loving	Neoregelia myrmecophila	H	S
nanus	L	dwarf	Boronia nana	H	S	C
nanellus				H
nasutus	L	large-nosed; scornful	Erythranthe nasuta
natans	L	floating, from nato	Trapa natans	H	S
nauseosus	L	disgusting, from nauseo	Dypsis nauseosa	H	S
navicularis	L	boat-shaped, from navicula, a small boat	Micromyrtus navicularis	H	S	C
nebulosus	L	cloudy	Eucalyptus nebulosa	H	S
neglectus	L	neglected	Stellaria neglecta	H	S	C
nemorosus	L	forest	Anemonoides nemorosa	H	S	C
nemoralis				H	S	C
nervosus	L	veined, originally from nervus	Liparis nervosa	H	S	C
nervatus
nervis				H	S
neurocarpus	G	veined-fruit	Acacia neurocarpa
nictitans	L	blinking; moving	Chamaecrista nictitans	H
nidus	L	nest	Asplenium nidus	H	S
niger	L	black. Feminine nigra, neuter nigrum.	Piper nigrum	H	S	C
nigrescens	L	blackish, from nigresco	Pyrorchis nigricans	H	S
nigricans				H	S	C
nigratus				H
nitidus	L	shining	Calochortus nitidus	H	S	C
nitens				H	S
nivalis	L	snow	Galanthus nivalis	H	S	C
niveus				H	S	C
nivosus				H	S
nobilis	L	celebrated	Laurus nobilis	H		C
nocturnus	L	night	Cestrum nocturnum	H	S	C
nodosus	L	knobby	Ficinia nodosa	H	S
nodulosus				H	S
non-scriptus	L	unmarked, from scriptus	Hyacinthoides non-scripta	H		C
notatus	L	marked	Paspalum notatum	H	S
nothus	G	false	Iris notha		S
nubigenus	L	high-altitude, from nubigena, cloud-born	Podocarpus nubigenus	H		C
nubicola				H
nucifer	L	nut-bearing, from nux	Cocos nucifera	H	S
nudus	L	naked	Genoplesium nudum	H	S	C
nudatus				H
nummularius	L	coin, from nummulus	Atriplex nummularia	H		C
nutans	L	nodding	Silene nutans	H	S	C
nyctagineus	G	night-born (night-blooming)	Mirabilis nyctaginea	H
obconicus	L	inverted cone, from conus	Eucalyptus obconica	H	S
obesus	L	fat	Adenium obesum	H	S
oblatus	L	oblate (round and slightly flattened). From latus, wide.	Syringa oblata	H	S
obliquus	L	slanting; oblique	Ficus obliqua	H	S	C
obliteratus	L	erased, from oblitero; imperceptible	Nephrolepis obliterata		S
oblongus	L	oblong	Cydonia oblonga	H	S	C
oblongatus				H
obovatus	L	obovate (reversed ovate). From ovum, egg.	Adenanthos obovatus	H	S	C
obscurus	L	obscure; dark	Dendrolycopodium obscurum	H	S	C
obsoletus	L	shabby	Narcissus obsoletus		S
obtusus	L	obtuse	Galium obtusum	H	S	C
obtusatus				H	S
obvallatus	L	fortified; walled	Geophila obvallata*	H	S
obvallaris						C
occidentalis	L	western, from occidens	Platanus occidentalis	H	S	C
ocellatus	L	eyespot, from ocellus, little eye	Viola ocellata	H	S
ochraceus	G	ochre	Tabebuia ochracea	H	S	C
octopetalus	L	eight-petalled, from octo	Dryas octopetala	H	S	C
oculatus	L	eyespot, from oculus, eye	Verticordia oculata	H
odontochilus	G	tooth-lipped	Chelonopsis odontochila*		S
odoratus	L	fragrant	Lathyrus odoratus	H	S	C
odorifer				H	S
odorus				H	S	C
odoratissimus	L	most fragrant	Artocarpus odoratissimus	H		C
officinalis	L	medicinal	Zingiber officinale	H	S	C
officinarum				H
oleifer	L	oil-bearing, from oleum, oil	Moringa oleifera	H		C
oleraceus	L	kitchen-garden, from olus	Sonchus oleraceus	H	S	C
olitorius				H	S
oligocarpus	G	with few fruits	Annona oligocarpa	H	S
olivaceus	L	green-brown, from oliva, olive	Lithops olivacea	H	S
oporinus	G	autumn	Diuris oporina
oppositifolius	L	opposite-leaved, from oppositus	Myoporum oppositifolium	H	S	C
orbiculatus	L	circular, from orbis, ring; orbicular	Celastrus orbiculatus	H	S	C
orbicularis				H	S
oreophilus	G	mountain	Sarracenia oreophila	H	S	C
oresbius				H	S
orgyalis	G	fathom-long	Kalanchoe orgyalis		S
orientalis	L	eastern, from oriens	Platanus orientalis	H	S	C
ornatus	L	ornamented. Cf. ornans.	Musa ornata	H	S	C
ornatissimus	L	most ornamented	Downingia ornatissima	H
ornithopus	G	bird-footed. Feminine and neuter ornithopus.	Lytoneuron ornithopus*	H
ornithopodus				H	S
orthocarpus	G	straight-fruited	Acacia orthocarpa	H	S
osmanthus	G	fragrant-flowered	Attalea osmantha	H	S
ovatus	L	ovate, from ovum, egg	Trillium ovatum	H	S	C
ovalis				H	S
ovifer	L	egg-bearing, from ovum	Pachyphytum oviferum, Pandanus oviger*
oviger
ovinus	L	sheep, from ovis	Festuca ovina	H	S	C
oxyphyllus	G	sharp-leaved	Melaleuca oxyphylla	H	S	C
pabularis	L	fodder, from pabulum	Barleria pabularis*		S
pachycarpus	G	thick-fruited	Corymbia pachycarpa	H	S	C
pallidus	L	pale	Lycium pallidum	H	S	C
pallens				H	S
pallescens				H	S
palmaris	L	palm's-width	Chromolaena palmaris*	H	S
palmatus	L	hand-shaped, from palma; palmate	Diplocyclos palmatus	H	S	C
palustris	L	marsh, from palus	Banksia paludosa	H	S	C
paludosus				H	S
panduratus	L	fiddle-shaped; pandurate	Ipomoea pandurata	H	S
paniculatus	L	panicled	Toxicoscordion paniculatum	H	S	C
pannosus	L	tattered	Cotoneaster pannosus	H	S
papillosus	L	papillose, from papilla, nipple	Sphagnum papillosum		S
papilliger
papyraceus	L	paper. Cf. papyrus.	Narcissus papyraceus	H	S	C
papyrifer				H		C
paradisiacus	G	paradise; garden	Cipura paradisiaca*	H
paradisi				H
paradoxus	G	unusual	Dissocarpus paradoxus	H		C
parasiticus	L	parasitic, from parasitus	Macrosolen parasiticus	H	S
pardalinus	L	leopard, from pardus. Cf. pardinus.	Lilium pardalinum	H		C
parmulatus	L	shield, from parmula	Rhododendron parmulatum*
partitus	L	divided	Klattia partita*	H	S
parvus	L	small	Camissonia parvula	H	S
parvulus						C
pastoralis	L	of shepherds	Meryta pastoralis*		S
patellaris	L	dish, from patella	Eucalyptus patellaris
patelliformis					S
patens	L	extending	Physcomitrella patens	H	S	C
patulus				H	S	C
pauciflorus	L	sparse-flowered, from paucus	Stephanomeria pauciflora	H	S	C
pauperculus	L	poor	Astragalus pauperculus	H
pavoninus	L	peacock, from pavo	Anemone pavonina*	H	S	C
pectinatus	L	comb, from pecten; pectinate	Echinocereus pectinatus	H	S	C
pectinifer
pectoralis	L	chest, from pectus	Justicia pectoralis	H
pedalis	L	foot-long	Indocalamus pedalis*		S
pedatifidus	L	bird's-foot; pedate. From pes, foot.	Viola pedatifida, Sidalcea pedata	H		C
pedatus				H	S	C
pedunculosus	L	peduncled	Lotus pedunculatus	H		C
peduncularis				H	S
pedunculatus				H	S
pellucidus	L	transparent, from perlucidus; pellucid	Tetraphis pellucida	H	S
peltatus	L	shield-bearing; peltate	Pelargonium peltatum	H	S	C
pelviformis	L	shallow, from pelvis, basin	Campanula pelviformis*	H	S
pendulus	L	hanging	Betula pendula	H	S	C
pendulinus				H	S	C
penicillatus	L	paint-brush, from penicillus; penicillate. Cf. penicillius.	Banksia penicillata	H	S
peninsularis	L	peninsula, from peninsula	Argyrochosma peninsularis	H	S
pennatus	L	feathered; pinnate. From pinnatus.	Stipa pennata	H	S
penniger	L	feathered, from penna	Verticordia pennigera	H
pensilis	L	hanging	Glyptostrobus pensilis	H
pentaphyllus	G	five-leaved	Gynostemma pentaphyllum	H	S	C
peramoenus	L	very pleasant	Platanthera peramoena
perbellus	L	beautiful	Veronica perbella*	H
percussus	L	perforated	Goniophlebium percussum*
peregrinus	L	foreign	Comptonia peregrina	H	S	C
perennis	L	year-long; perennial	Mercurialis perennis	H	S	C
perennans					S
perfoliatus	L	perfoliate	Eupatorium perfoliatum	H	S	C
perfossus					S
perforatus	L	perforated, from perforo	Hypericum perforatum	H	S	C
pergracilis	L	very slender, from gracilis	Psydrax pergracilis	H
permixtus	L	intermingled	Rubus permixtus
persimilis	L	very similar	Crataegus persimilis			C
persistens	L	persisting, from persisto	Calochortus persistens	H	S
perspicuus	L	transparent	Rubus perspicuus	H	S
pertusus	L	perforated	Bothriochloa pertusa	H	S
perulatus	L	perulate	Enkianthus perulatus	H	S	C
perutilis	L	very useful	Aniba perutilis*		S
petaloideus	G	petalled	Gunnera petaloidea	H	S
petiolaris	L	petiolate	Banksia petiolaris	H	S	C
petiolatus				H	S
petraeus	L	rock, from petra, rock or cliff	Quercus petraea	H	S	C
phaeus	G	dark brown or grey	Geranium phaeum	H	S	C
phlebanthus	G	veined-flower	Clematis phlebantha*		S
phyllo­maniacus	G	profusely leafy	Begonia phyllomaniaca*
picturatus	L	embroidered	Festuca picturata	H		C
pictus	L	painted	Diplacus pictus	H	S	C
pileatus	L	skull-capped; pileate	Eucalyptus pileata	H	S	C
pilosus	L	hairy; pilose. Cf. pilosulus.	Xanthosia pilosa	H	S	C
pilifer				H	S
pilularis	G	globular, from pila, ball	Eucalyptus pilularis	H		C
pilulifer				H
pinguifolius	L	waxy-leaved, from pinguis, fat	Acacia pinguifolia	H	S	C
pinnatus	L	feathered; pinnate	Alloxylon pinnatum	H	S	C
piperitus	L	peppery, from piper	Zanthoxylum piperitum	H		C
planus	L	flat	Eleocharis plana	H	S	C
platyphyllus	G	broad-leaved. Cf. platyphyllos.	Eucalyptus platyphylla	H	S	C
plebeius	L	plebeian	Veronica plebeia
plenus	L	double; full	Corymbia plena	H	S
plenissimus				H
pleurostachys	G	side-spiked	Orleanesia pleurostachys*		S
plicatus	L	pleated, from plico; plicate	Thuja plicata	H	S	C
plumarius	L	plumed, from pluma; plumose	Dianthus plumarius	H
plumatus
plumosus				H	S
plumbeus	L	leaden	Merwilla plumbea	H	S
pluriflorus	L	many-flowered, from plurimus; pluriflor	Sannantha pluriflora	H	S
pocophorus	G	woolly	Rhododendron pocophorum*	H
poculiformis	G	goblet-shaped	Eragrostis poculiformis*		S
podagricus	G	gout, from podagra. Cf. podagraria.	Jatropha podagrica
podophyllus	G	with strong stalks supporting the leaves	Syngonium podophyllum	H	S	C
poeticus	L	of poets	Narcissus poeticus	H		C
poetarum
pogonanthus	G	bearded-flower	Abronia pogonantha		S
politus	L	polished	Gasteria polita	H	S
polycarpus	G	many-fruited	Corymbia polycarpa	H	S	C
pomeridianus	L	afternoon	Chlorogalum pomeridianum	H	S
pomifer	L	fruit-bearing; pome-bearing	Maclura pomifera	H		C
pomponius	L	ostentatious, from pompa; tufted	Lilium pomponium	H
ponderosus	L	weighty	Pinus ponderosa	H	S	C
porophyllus	G	(apparently) porous-leaved	Saxifraga porophylla*	H
porphyreus	G	purple; purple-red	Sedum porphyreum	H	S
potamophilus	G	river	Sebastiania potamophila	H	S
potatorum	L	of drinkers	Agave potatorum	H		C
praealtus	L	very high	Calochilus praealtus	H
praecox	L	early-ripening, from coquo	Agapanthus praecox	H	S	C
praemorsus	L	(apparently) nibbled, from morsus	Acacia praemorsa	H	S
praestans	L	pre-eminent	Vaccinium praestans	H		C
praeteritus	L	departed; overlooked	Castilleja praeterita		S
praetermissus	L	overlooked, from praetermitto	Eucalyptus praetermissa		S	C
praetextus	L	bordered; disguised	Cryptanthus praetextus	H	S
praevernus	L	before the spring, from vernus	Rhododendron praevernum*
pratensis	L	meadow	Trifolium pratense	H	S	C
pravissimus	L	most crooked, from pravus	Acacia pravissima	H		C
precatorius	L	prayer, from precator, suppliant	Euterpe precatoria
preptus	G	distinguished	Rhododendron preptum*
princeps	L	foremost	Roystonea princeps	H
prismaticus	G	prism	Iris prismatica	H	S
proboscideus	G	long-snouted	Bulbophyllum proboscideum	H	S	C
procerus	L	tall	Abies procera	H	S	C
procumbens	L	near the ground, from procumbo; procumbent	Juniperus procumbens	H	S	C
procurrens	L	extending, from procurro	Arabis procurrens	H	S	C
productus	L	extended, from produco	Costus productus*	H	S
prolifer	L	proliferous, from proles, offshoot	Isolepis prolifera	H	S	C
prolificus	L	prolific; proliferous	Hypericum prolificum	H	S	C
pronus	L	tilted forward	Dracophyllum pronum*		S
propinquus	L	kindred	Eucalyptus propinqua	H	S	C
prostratus	L	on the ground; prostrate	Ceanothus prostratus	H	S	C
protrusus	L	protruding, from protrudo	Melaleuca protrusa		S
pruinatus	L	(apparently) frosted, from pruina; pruinose	Begonia pruinata*	H	S
pruinosus				H	S
pruriens	L	itchy, from prurio	Mucuna pruriens		S
psilostemon	G	smooth-stamened	Geranium psilostemon	H	S	C
psittacinus	L	parrot, from psittacus	Impatiens psittacina, Heliconia psittacorum	H	S
psittacorum				H
pteroneurus	G	winged-vein	Cnidoscolus pteroneurus*	H	S
pubescens	L	fuzzy, from pubesco; pubescent	Betula pubescens	H	S	C
pubiger				H
pubens				H	S
pudicus	L	shy	Mimosa pudica	H		C
puderosus
pugioniformis	L	dagger-shaped, from pugio	Dendrobium pugioniforme	H	S
pulcher	L	beautiful. Feminine pulchra, neuter pulchrum.	Senecio pulcher	H	S	C
pulchellus				H	S	C
pullus	L	blackish	Piaranthus pullus*	H	S	C
pulverulentus	L	powdery, from pulvis; pulverulent	Eucalyptus pulverulenta	H	S	C
pulvinatus	L	cushiony, from pulvinus; pulvinate	Grimmia pulvinata	H	S	C
pumilus	L	dwarf. Cf. pumilio.	Ficus pumila	H	S	C
punctatus	L	dotted, originally from punctum, point or puncture; punctate	Monarda punctata	H	S	C
pungens	L	pricking, from pungo; pungent	Picea pungens	H	S	C
purgans	L	purgative, from purgo	Saurauia purgans*
purpureus	L	purplish	Ceratodon purpureus	H	S	C
purpuratus	L	royal; purplish	Eucalyptus purpurata	H	S	C
purpurascens	L	light purple, from purpurasco. Cf. purpurellus.	Calamagrostis purpurascens	H	S	C
pusillus	L	tiny	Potamogeton pusillus	H	S
pustulatus	L	(apparently) blistered, from pustula, pustule; pustulate	Eremophila pustulata	H	S
pyramidalis	L	pyramidal, from pyramis	Anacamptis pyramidalis	H	S	C
pyramidatus
pyxidatus	G	lidded box	Eugenia pyxidata*		S
quadrifolius	L	four-leaved, from quattuor, four	Paris quadrifolia	H	S	C
quinatus	L	five-part, from quinque, five	Akebia quinata	H	S	C
racemosus	L	racemose, from racemus, cluster	Sambucus racemosa	H	S	C
radiatus	L	radiating; radiate	Lycoris radiata	H	S	C
radians					S
radiosus				H	S
radicans	L	rooting, originally from radix, root	Toxicodendron radicans	H	S	C
radicatus				H	S
radicosus				H	S
radicum
radula	L	rasp, originally from rado, to scrape	Eurybia radula	H	S
ramosus	L	branching, from ramus, branch	Boronia ramosa	H	S	C
ramulosus				H	S
ramosissimus	L	with many branches	Jamesbrittenia ramosissima	H	S	C
rarus	L	rare	Hymenophyllum rarum		S
rariflorus	L	sparse-flowered	Rhynchospora rariflora	H	S
ravus	L	grey, dull yellow or tawny	Miconia rava*		S
reclinatus	L	reclined, from reclino	Phoenix reclinata	H	S
rectus	L	erect	Eucalyptus recta	H	S	C
recurvus	L	curved back; recurved	Eucalyptus recurva	H	S
recurvatus				H	S	C
recutitus	L	(apparently) skinned, from cutis, skin	Pedicularis recutita*		S
redivivus	L	reviving	Styrax redivivus	H	S	C
reductus	L	reduced, from reduco	Brocchinia reducta	H	S	C
reflexus	L	bent backwards, from reflecto; reflexed	Dracaena reflexa	H	S	C
refractus				H	S
refulgens	L	reflecting, from refulgeo	Justicia refulgens*	H
regalis	L	royal	Roystonea regia, Drosera regia	H		C
regius				H		C
religiosus	L	sacred	Ficus religiosa	H
remotus	L	remote (in distribution)	Pinus remota	H	S	C
reniformis	L	kidney-shaped, from renes, kidneys	Utricularia reniformis	H	S
repandus	L	curling at the edges	Boronia repanda	H	S	C
repens	L	creeping	Trifolium repens	H	S	C
reptans				H	S	C
replicatus	L	folded, from replico	Lafoensia replicata	H	S
resinosus	L	resinous, from resina	Pinus resinosa	H	S	C
resinifer				H	S
resupinatus	L	bent backward, from resupino	Trifolium resupinatum		S
reticulatus	L	net-like, from reticulum; reticulate	Hippeastrum reticulatum	H	S	C
retortus	L	twisted back, from retorqueo	Cerinthe retorta*	H	S
retroflexus				H	S
retrofractus				H
retusus	L	blunt; retuse	Rhynchostylis retusa	H	S	C
reversus	L	reversed	Alocasia reversa*	H	S
revolutus	L	rolled inward, from revolvo; revolute	Orites revolutus	H	S	C
rex	L	king	Cattleya rex	H
rhabdotus	G	striped	Allium rhabdotum
rhizophyllus	G	with rooting leaves	Asplenium rhizophyllum	H	S
rhombicus	G	rhombic	Acalypha rhomboidea		S
rhomboideus				H	S
rhytidophyllus	G	wrinkled-leaf	Viburnum rhytidophyllum	H	S	C
rigens	L	rigid. Cf. rigescens.	Muhlenbergia rigens	H	S	C
rigidus				H	S	C
ringens	L	gaping, from ringor	Melaleuca ringens	H	S	C
riparius	L	riverside, from ripa, riverbank	Vitis riparia	H	S	C
rivalis	L	brook	Calyptronoma rivalis	H	S	C
rivularis				H	S	C
robustus	L	strong; solid	Metrosideros robusta	H	S	C
rostratus	L	beaked; rostrate	Eremophila rostrata	H	S	C
rotatus	L	circular, from rota, wheel; rotate	Hymenocallis rotata	H	S
rotundus	L	round	Cyperus rotundus	H	S
rotundatus				H	S
ruber	L	red. Feminine rubra, neuter rubrum.	Acer rubrum	H	S	C
rubens				H	S
rubescens	L	pale red, from rubesco	Calamagrostis rubescens	H	S
rubellus				H	S
rubiginosus	L	rusty-red, from rubigo, rust	Ficus rubiginosa	H	S	C
rudis	L	untilled; rough	Eucalyptus rudis	H	S
rufus	L	reddish	Pterostylis rufa	H	S
rufescens
rugosus	L	wrinkled; rugose	Rosa rugosa	H	S	C
runcinatus	L	saw-toothed; runcinate	Crepis runcinata		S
rupestris	L	rock or cliff, from rupes; rupicolous	Brachychiton rupestris	H	S	C
rupicola				H
rupifragus	L	rock-cleaving	Salix rupifraga	H		C
russatus	L	russet, from russus	Brachyotum russatum	H
rusticanus	L	countryside	Armoracia rusticana	H	S	C
rusticus				H		C
rutilans	L	reddish, from rutilo	Nidularium rutilans	H	S
saccatus	L	bag, from saccus; saccate	Persoonia saccata, Manicaria saccifera	H	S
saccifer				H
saccharatus	G	sugared (in flavour or appearance)	Caladenia saccharata	H	S
saccharifer	G	sugary. Cf. saccharum.	Acer saccharinum, Vitis saccharifera*		S	C
saccharinus				H	S	C
sagittalis	L	arrow, from sagitta; sagittate. Cf. sagittatus.	Crotalaria sagittalis	H	S
salinus	L	salt, from sal	Drosera salina	H	S
salsuginosus	L	salt marsh, from salsus	Castilleja salsuginosa		S
sanctus	L	holy	Anacamptis sancta	H
sanguineus	L	bloody	Broughtonia sanguinea	H	S	C
sapidus	L	tasty, from sapio, to have a flavour	Lissanthe sapida	H	S
saponaceus	L	soapy. Cf. saponarius.	Solanum saponaceum*		S
sarcodes	G	fleshy	Oncidium sarcodes	H
sarmentosus	L	sarmentose, from sarmentum, twig	Piper sarmentosum	H	S	C
sativus	L	cultivated, from sero	Cannabis sativa	H	S	C
saturatus	L	colour-saturated	Taraxacum saturatum*		S
saurocephalus	G	lizard-headed	Acianthera saurocephala
savannarum	L	savanna. New Latin, from a 16th-century Taíno word.	Iris savannarum		S
saxatilis	L	rock-dwelling, from saxum; saxicolous. Cf. saxorum, rock, and saxifraga, rock-breaker.	Mimetes saxatilis, Acacia saxicola, Dudleya saxosa	H	S	C
saxicola				H	S
saxosus				H	S
scaber	L	rough; scabrid. Feminine scabra, neuter scabrum. Cf. scabiosus.	Boronia scabra	H	S	C
scalaris	L	ladder, from scalae	Vriesea scalaris	H	S	C
scandens	L	climbing, from scando; scandent	Cobaea scandens	H	S	C
scapiger	L	scaped; scapose	Caltha scaposa, Isotoma scapigera		S
scaposus				H	S
scariosus	L	filmy; scarious	Cyperus scariosus	H	S	C
scarlatinus	L	scarlet	Bromelia scarlatina		S
sceleratus	L	toxic	Ranunculus sceleratus		S
sceptrum	L	sceptre	Banksia sceptrum	H
schistocalyx	G	with a split calyx	Rhododendron schistocalyx*
schizopetalus	G	split-petalled	Hibiscus schizopetalus	H	S
scholaris	L	school, from schola, school or debate	Alstonia scholaris		S
scintillans	L	shining, from scintillo	Schizachyrium scintillans*
sclerocarpus	G	hard-fruited	Metrosideros sclerocarpa
scoparius	L	broom, from scopae	Leptospermum scoparium, Cytisus scoparius	H	S	C
scopulorum	L	cliff, from scopulus	Eucalyptus scopulorum	H	S	C
scorpioides	L	scorpion, from scorpio; scorpioid	Myosotis scorpioides	H	S
scrobiculatus	L	dimpled, from scrobis, ditch; scrobiculate	Eremophila scrobiculata		S
sculptus	L	carved	Epidendrum sculptum		S
scutatus	L	shield, from scutum. Cf. scutellaris, scutellatus.	Rumex scutatus		S	C
sebifer	L	fatty; oily. From sebum.	Triadica sebifera, Geranium sebosum*		S
sebosus					S
seclusus	L	secluded	Acacia seclusa
secundus	L	second; secund. Cf. secundatus.	Epidendrum secundum	H	S	C
securiger	L	axe-bearing	Tritonia securigera*
segetum	L	grainfield, from seges	Glebionis segetum, Nigella segetalis*	H	S	C
segetalis				H	S
semperflorens	L	ever-blooming, from semper, always	Bulbophyllum semperflorens	H	S
sempervirens	L	evergreen	Sequoia sempervirens	H	S	C
senescens	L	greying, from senesco	Allium senescens	H	S	C
senilis	L	aged; white-haired	Cephalocereus senilis	H		C
sensitivus	L	sensitive, from sentio; sensitive	Biophytum sensitivum, Onoclea sensibilis	H	S
sensibilis				H	S
senticosus	L	thorny, from sentus	Eleutherococcus senticosus		S
sepiarius	L	hedge, from sepes	Calystegia sepium, Drypetes sepiaria		S
sepium				H	S
septemfidus	L	cut into seven parts, from septem, seven.	Gentiana septemfida	H	S	C
septen­trionalis	L	northern	Asplenium septentrionale	H	S
sepulcralis	L	graveyard, from sepulcrum	Eucalyptus sepulcralis		S	C
sepultus	L	buried	Euphorbia sepulta*
sericifer	L	silky, from sericus; sericeous	Adenanthos sericeus, Araujia sericifera			C
sericeus				H	S	C
serotinus	L	late-blooming, from sero, late	Gagea serotina	H	S	C
serpens	L	creeping	Eremophila serpens	H	S
serpentinus	L	serpentine	Rauvolfia serpentina, Melaleuca serpentina		S
serratus	L	toothed, from serra, saw; serrate. Cf. serrula.	Banksia serrata	H	S
serrulatus	L	fine-toothed; serrulate. Cf. serrula.	Prunus serrulata	H	S	C
sesquipedalis	L	one-and-a-half-foot	Angraecum sesquipedale	H	S	C
sessilis	L	sitting; stalkless	Banksia sessilis	H	S
setiger	L	bristly; setose	Papaver setigerum, Eremophila setacea, Polystichum setiferum, Corymbia setosa, Prunus setulosa	H		C
setaceus				H	S	C
setifer				H	S	C
setosus				H	S	C
setulosus				H	S
sexangularis	L	hexagonal, from sex, six	Sedum sexangulare	H	S	C
siculiformis	L	dagger-shaped, from sicula	Acacia siculiformis
siderophloius	G	iron-barked	Eucalyptus siderophloia
signatus	L	well-marked, from signo	Acacia signata	H
siliceus	L	sand, from silex, stone	Carex silicea	H	S
silvicola	L	woodland, from silva. See sylv-, below.	Weinmannia silvicola, Persoonia silvatica, Eucalyptus silvestris		S
silvaticus				H	S
silvestris				H	S
similis	L	similar; generic	Melaleuca similis	H	S	C
simplex	L	simple; unbranched. Cf. simplicissimus, simplest.	Ruellia simplex	H	S	C
simulans	L	imitative	Eremophila simulans	H	S
sinuatus	L	sinuous; sinuate	Pterostylis sinuata	H	S	C
smaragdinus	L	emerald-green, from smaragdus, a green gem	Epidendrum smaragdinum		S
sobolifer	L	shoot-bearing; basal-shoot-bearing	Stylidium soboliferum	H	S
socialis	L	confederated; colony-forming	Ledebouria socialis	H
solaris	L	solar	Drosera solaris
solidus	L	dense	Corydalis solida	H	S	C
solstitialis	L	summer-solstice	Centaurea solstitialis		S
somnifer	L	sedating	Withania somnifera	H		C
sordidus	L	dirty	Salvia sordida	H	S
sororius	L	sisterly	Viola sororia			C
spadiceus	L	dark brown	Prasophyllum spadiceum		S
sparsus	L	sparse, from spargo, to scatter	Beaufortia sparsa		S
spathulatus	L	spatulate. Cf. spathaceus, spathed, from spatha, blade.	Sarcochilus spathulatus	H	S
speciosus	L	showy	Banksia speciosa	H	S	C
spectabilis	L	remarkable	Tahina spectabilis	H		C
speculatus	L	mirrored, from speculum	Rubus speculatus*
sphacelatus	G	withered	Setaria sphacelata		S
sphaericus	G	spherical. Cf. sphaeroideus.	Corymbia sphaerica	H
sphaeroides
sphegodes	G	wasp	Ophrys sphegodes
sphenantherus	G	wedge-anthered	Schisandra sphenanthera*
spicifer	L	spike, from spica; spicate. Cf. spicatus.	Swintonia spicifera, Melaleuca spicigera, Micraira spiciforma*		S
spiciger				H		C
spiciformis				H	S
spinescens	L	spiny, from spina; spinose. Cf. spinulosus.	Acacia spinescens, Cenchrus spinifex, Prunus spinosa	H	S
spinifer					S
spinifex				H
spinosus				H	S	C
spinulifer
spinosissimus	L	spiniest	Mammillaria spinosissima	H		C
spiralis	L	coiled or twisted, from spira; spiral	Thelymitra spiralis	H	S
spissus	L	crowded	Pterostylis spissa		S
splendidus	L	splendid	Eremophila splendens, Boronia splendida	H	S	C
splendens				H		C
spurius	L	spurious	Eremophila spuria	H	S	C
squalidus	L	squalid	Senecio squalidus	H	S	C
squalens
squamosus	L	scaly	Pterostylis squamata, Eucalyptus squamosa	H	S	C
squamatus				H	S	C
squarrosus	L	with extended tips; squarrose. Cognate to squamosus.	Bromus squarrosus	H	S	C
stamineus	L	well-stamened, from stamen, thread	Trillium stamineum	H	S
stans	L	standing, from sto	Tecoma stans	H	S	C
stauracanthus	G	cross-spined	Cryosophila stauracantha*
stellaris	L	star, from stella; stellate. Cf. stellulatus.	Hibbertia stellaris, Allium stellatum	H	S
stellatus				H	S	C
stelliger
stenocarpus	G	narrow-fruited	Hakea stenocarpa	H
sterilis	L	infertile; sterile	Bromus sterilis	H	S
stipulaceus	L	stipuled, from stipula, stalk	Dalbergia stipulacea, Palaquium stipulare, Rubus stipulatus	H	S
stipularis				H	S
stipulatus				H
stolonifer	L	stolon-bearing; stoloniferous	Drosera stolonifera	H		C
stramineus	L	straw; straw-coloured	Parsonsia straminea		S
strangulatus	L	constricted, from strangulo	Trigonella strangulata*		S
strepens	L	rattling, from strepo	Ruellia strepens*
strepto­phyllus	G	twisted-leaf	Tillandsia streptophylla	H
striatus	L	striped; striate. Cf. striatulus.	Bletilla striata, Dendrobium striolatum	H	S	C
striolatus				H	S
strictus	L	drawn tight; upright	Orthoceras strictum	H	S	C
strigosus	L	meagre; strigose	Caladenia strigosa	H	S
strigillosus
strobilifer	L	cone-bearing	Deuterocohnia strobilifera	H
strongylo­phyllus	G	rounded-leaf	Acacia strongylophylla
strumosus	L	swollen	Hakea strumosa	H	S	C
strumarius
stylosus	L	well-styled	Rhizophora stylosa	H	S	C
styracifluus	L	gummy	Liquidambar styraciflua	H		C
suaveolens	L	sweet-scented	Brugmansia suaveolens	H	S	C
suavis	L	sweet	Cymbidium suave	H	S
subacaulis	L	partly stemmed	Calystegia subacaulis	H
subalpinus	L	subalpine, from alpinus; lower-mountain	Jacaranda subalpina	H	S
subauricu­latus	L	partly eared, from auricula, ear	Pseuderanthemum subauriculatum		S
subcaeruleus	L	light blue, from caeruleus, sky blue	Acacia subcaerulea		S
subcanus	L	partly grey, from canus	Pavetta subcana*		S
subcarnosus	L	partly fleshy	Aizoon subcarnosum*
subcordatus	L	almost heart-shaped	Alisma subcordatum	H	S	C
subdentatus	L	partly toothed, from dentatus	Epilobium subdentatum*		S
subdivari­catus	L	partly spreading, from divarico	Erica subdivaricata*
subelongatus	L	partly elongated, from longus	Jasminum elongatum		S
suberectus	L	angled, from erectus	Atriplex suberecta		S
suberosus	L	partly erose	Boronia suberosa	H	S
subfalcatus	L	almost sickle-shaped, from falcatus	Lysiana subfalcata		S
subglaucus	L	partly glaucous, from glaucus	Juncus subglaucus*		S
subhirtellus	L	slightly hairy, from hirtus	Drosera subhirtella	H	S	C
submersus	L	submerged, from submergo	Ceratophyllum submersum	H	S
subpetiolatus	L	partly petiolate	Navia subpetiolata
subscandens	L	likely to climb, from scando	Siparuna subscandens*		S
subterraneus	L	underground	Trifolium subterraneum	H	S
subulatus	L	awl-shaped; subulate	Phlox subulata	H	S	C
subvillosus	L	partly shaggy, from villosus	Allium subvillosum	H	S
succisus	L	severed below	Robiquetia succisa		S
succulentus	L	fleshy; succulent	Lupinus succulentus	H	S	C
suffrutescens	L	partly shrubby, from frutex, shrub	Portulaca suffrutescens, Dillenia suffruticosa	H	S	C
suffruticosus				H	S	C
sulcatus	L	furrowed, from sulcus; sulcate	Persoonia sulcata	H	S	C
sulphureus	L	sulphur-yellow. Stearn also lists sulfureus; cf. sulphureas.	Pimelea sulphurea, Siphocampylus sulfureus	H	S	C
superbus	L	proud; superb. Cf. superbiens.	Calothamnus superbus	H		C
superciliaris	L	eyebrow, from supercilium	Begonia superciliaris*
supinus	L	supine	Asperula supina	H	S
supranubius	L	above the clouds, from nubes, cloud	Genista supranubia*
surculosus	L	shoot-bearing, from surculus, a shoot	Mammillaria surculosa	H	S
suspensus	L	suspended	Forsythia suspensa	H	S	C
sylvaticus	L	woodland, from sylva. See silv-, above.	Nyssa sylvatica, Angelica sylvestris, Caladenia sylvicola, Aruncus sylvester*	H	S	C
sylvester				H
sylvestris				H	S	C
sylvicola				H	S
tabuliformis	L	flat, from tabula, board	Aeonium tabuliforme	H	S	C
taediger	L	torch-bearing, from taeda, torch. Cf. taeda.	Raphia taedigera
tanastylus	G	long-styled	Rhododendron tanastylum*
tapetiformis	L	woven (like tapestry or carpet), from tapes	Rhododendron tapetiforme*
tardus	L	tardy; late.	Tulipa tarda, Allium tardiflorum	H	S
tardivus
tectorum	L	of roofs, from tectum	Sempervivum tectorum	H	S	C
tectus	L	covered	Genoplesium tectum		S
telmateius	G	of soggy ground	Equisetum telmateia		S
temenius	G	of sacred places	Rhododendron temenium*
temulentus	L	drunk	Lolium temulentum	H	S
temulus
tenax	L	tenacious	Sideroxylon tenax	H	S	C
tenebrosus	L	gloomy	Cattleya tenebrosa*	H	S
tenellulus	L	tender; delicate	Felicia tenella
tenellus				H	S	C
tenuis	L	thin. Cf. tenuissimus, thinnest.	Cystopteris tenuis	H	S	C
teres	L	rounded or circular; terete	Dampiera teres	H	S
terminalis	L	at the end, from terminus; terminal	Persoonia terminalis	H	S	C
ternatus	L	triple, from ternus; ternate	Sedum ternatum	H	S	C
terrestris	L	ground-dwelling; terrestrial	Lysimachia terrestris	H	S
tessellatus	L	tessellated, from tessella, a small cube	Thamnocalamus tessellatus	H	S	C
testaceus	L	brick-coloured, from testa, brick	Caladenia testacea	H	S	C
testicularis	L	testicular, from testiculus	Aglaia testicularis*	H
testiculatus					S
testudo	L	tortoise	Durio testudinarius
testudinarius				H
tetracanthus	G	four-spined	Barleria tetracantha
tetragonus	G	four-angled; tetragonal	Dendrobium tetragonum	H	S	C
tetrandrus	G	four-anthered	Myoporum tetrandrum	H	S
tetranthus	G	four-flowered	Lactuca tetrantha
tetraphyllus	G	with four leaves	Polycarpon tetraphyllum	H
tetrapterus	G	four-winged	Eucalyptus tetraptera	H	S	C
textilis	L	woven	Juncus textilis	H	S
thermalis	L	warm springs, from thermae	Azima tetracantha		S
thurifer	L	incense-bearing	Anisoptera thurifera
thyrsiflorus	L	thyrse-flowered, from thyrsus, stalk or vined staff. Cf. thyrsoideus and thyrsoides.	Ceanothus thyrsiflorus	H	S	C
tigrinus	L	striped; spotted. From tigris, tiger.	Cymbidium tigrinum	H	S
tinctorum	L	of dyers, from tinctus, dyed	Indigofera tinctoria		S
tinctorius				H	S	C
tinctus	L	dyed	Fuchsia tincta*		S
tingens	L	tingeing, from tingo	Marsdenia tingens*		S
titanius	G	titanic. Cf. titanum.	Amorphophallus titanum
tomentosus	L	matted, from tomentum, cushion-filling; tomentose	Alectryon tomentosus	H	S	C
tonsus	L	shaved	Dischidia tonsa*		S
torminalis	L	colic, from tormina	Sorbus torminalis			C
torosus	L	muscular; cylindrical with constrictions	Mandevilla torosa*		S
torridus	L	parched	Coccothrinax torrida		S
tortilis	L	twisted. Cf. tortuosus.	Prasophyllum tortilis, Corymbia torta	H	S
tortus				H	S
toxicarius	L	toxic, from toxicum, poison	Antiaris toxicaria	H	S
toxicus
toxifer
translucens	L	translucent, from transluceo	Acacia translucens		S
transparens	L	transparent, from trans + pareo	Pteris transparens*
trapeziformis	L	irregularly four-sided; trapeziform	Chiloglottis trapeziformis	H	S
tremulus	L	shaking. Cf. tremuloides.	Pteris tremula	H	S	C
triacanthus	L	three-spined. Cf. triacanthos.	Opuntia triacantha
triandrus	G	three-anthered	Salix triandra	H	S
triangularis	L	triangular, from triangulus	Prasophyllum triangulare	H	S	C
triangulatus				H
tricaudatus	L	three-tailed	Aristolochia tricaudata
tricephalus	L	three-headed	Coussarea tricephala*
trichophorus	G	hairy	Triglochin trichophora
trichotomus	G	three-branched	Clerodendrum trichotomum	H		C
tricoccus	G	three-lobed	Allium tricoccum		S
tricolor	L	three-coloured, from color	Viola tricolor	H	S	C
tricornis	L	three-horned	Delphinium tricorne		S
tricuspidatus	L	three-pointed, from tricuspis	Parthenocissus tricuspidata	H	S	C
tridens	L	three-toothed	Larrea tridentata
tridentalus					S	C
trifidus	L	split into three; trifid	Galium trifidum	H	S	C
triflorus	L	three-flowered	Geum triflorum	H		C
trifolius	L	with three leaflets; trifoliate	Coptis trifolia	H		C
trifoliatus				H		C
trifurcatus	L	three-forked, from furca	Hakea trifurcata	H	S
trifurcus					S
trigono­phyllus	G	with triangular leaves	Acacia trigonophylla	H
trilobatus	L	three-lobed	Malus trilobata	H	S	C
trimestris	L	three-month, from mensis, month	Lavatera trimestris	H	S
trinervis	L	with three nerves (veins), originally from nervus	Conothamnus trinervis	H	S
trinotatus	L	triple-marked	Palmorchis trinotata*
tripetalus	G	three-petaled	Magnolia tripetala	H	S	C
triphyllus	G	three-leaved	Gladiolus triphyllus	H		C
tripterus	G	three-winged. Cf. tripteris.	Acacia triptera	H		C
trispermus	G	three-seeded	Reutealis trisperma		S
tristachyus	G	three-spiked	Diphasiastrum tristachyum
tristis	L	sad; dull	Pterostylis tristis	H	S	C
triternatus	L	with three groups of leaflets in threes, from ternus, triple	Lomatium triternatum	H	S	C
trivialis	L	common	Alisma triviale	H	S	C
tropicus	G	tropical	Acacia tropica		S
trullipetalus	L	trowel-petalled, from trulla	Sedum trullipetalum*
truncatus	L	truncated, from truncus, dismembered or deprived of branches; truncate	Lupinus truncatus, Telopea truncata	H	S	C
tubatus	L	trumpet, from tuba	Oxypetalum tubatum*		S
tubaeformis					S
tuberculatus	L	bumpy; tuberculate	Diospyros tuberculata, Eleocharis tuberculosa	H	S
tuberculosus				H
tuberosus	L	swollen, from tuber, a swelling; tuberous	Thysanotus tuberosus	H	S	C
tubulosus	L	tubular	Marsdenia tubulosa	H	S	C
tubifer				H
tuguriorum	L	of hut-dwellers, from tugurium, hut	Calystegia tuguriorum*
tumidus	L	tumid	Verticordia tumida		S
turbinatus	L	shaped like a top, from turbineus; turbinate	Stylidium turbinatum	H	S
turgidus	L	swollen; turgid	Kali turgidum		S
typicus	G	typical	Arthraxon typicus*		S
tytthocarpus	G	small-fruited	Cotoneaster tytthocarpus*		S
uliginosus	L	of marshes; from uligo, dampness	Salvia uliginosa	H	S	C
umbellatus	L	umbelled, from umbella, umbrella	Ornithogalum umbellatum	H	S	C
umbonatus	L	with a central knob, from umbo, knob; umbonate	Corymbia umbonata		S
umbraculifer	L	sunshade-bearing, from umbraculum, sunshade	Corypha umbraculifera		S
umbrella	L	umbrella, from umbra, shade	Soroseris umbrella*		S
umbrosus	L	shady; shade-tolerant	Scrophularia umbrosa	H	S	C
uncinatus	L	hooked; uncinate	Hemiphora uncinata, Chamelaucium uncinatum	H	S	C
undulatus	L	wavy, from unda; undulate	Nerine undulata	H	S	C
undatus				H	S
unguiculatus	L	clawed, from unguis	Bulbophyllum unguiculatum	H	S	C
unguicularis				H	S
uniflorus	L	one-flowered	Monotropa uniflora, Ipheion uniflorum	H		C
urbanus	L	town. Cf. urbius.	Geum urbanum	H	S	C
urbicus				H
urceolatus	L	flask, from urceolus; urceolate	Gastrodia urceolata	H	S	C
urens	L	burning, from uro	Caryota urens	H	S
urniger	L	urn, from urna	Pogonatum urnigerum		S
urophyllus	G	tail-leaved	Eucalyptus urophylla	H	S
ursinus	L	bear, from ursus	Allium ursinum	H		C
usitatissimus	L	most useful, from usitatus	Linum usitatissimum		S	C
ustulatus	L	(apparently) scorched, from uro	Neotinea ustulata
utilis	L	useful	Brosimum utile	H	S	C
utriculatus	L	bladder-like; with utricles	Tillandsia utriculata	H	S
utriculosus					S
vacillans	L	variable, from vacillo	Vaccinium vacillans		S
vagans	L	widely distributed; wandering. From vagor, to wander.	Erica vagans	H	S	C
vaginatus	L	sheathed	Cyperus vaginatus	H	S
vaginalis				H	S
vaginifer
validus	L	strong; well-developed	Yucca valida		S
vallicola	L	valley-dweller	Carex vallicola
variabilis	L	variable, from vario	Pseuderanthemum variabile	H	S	C
varians				H	S
variatus				H
variegatus	L	variegated	Codiaeum variegatum	H	S	C
varius	L	diverse	Hakea varia	H	S
vegetus	L	vigorous	Astragalus vegetus*	H	S
vellereus	L	fleecy, from vellus, fleece	Ballota vellerea*		S
velox	L	quick; quick-growing	Rubus velox
velutinus	L	velvety, from French and Latin	Myoporum velutinum	H	S	C
venator	L	hunter	Rhododendron venator*
venenatus	L	poisonous, from venenum	Alstonia venenata		S
venenosus	L	very poisonous	Toxicoscordion venenosum	H	S
venosus	L	heavily veined, from vena	Haworthiopsis venosa	H	S
ventricosus	L	ventricose (swollen, often on one side), from venter, belly	Ensete ventricosum	H	S
venustus	L	pretty	Calochortus venustus	H	S	C
verecundus	L	shy	Boronia verecunda	H
vermiculatus	L	wormlike; having waving lines	Salsola vermiculata
vermicularis					S
vernicosus	L	varnished	Eucalyptus vernicosa	H	S	C
vernix	L	varnish. Cf. vernicifluus.	Acacia verniciflua
vernus	L	of spring	Ficaria verna, Leucojum vernum	H	S	C
vernalis				H	S
verrucosus	L	warty, from verruca; verrucose	Sesuvium verrucosum, Berberis verruculosa	H	S
verruculosus				H	S	C
versicolor	L	variably coloured	Iris versicolor	H	S	C
verticillatus	L	whorled, from vertex, a whorl; verticillate	Banksia verticillata	H	S	C
verticillaris
verus	L	true	Aloe vera	H	S	C
vescus	L	small; feeble; edible	Fragaria vesca	H
vesicarius	L	bladder, from vesica	Carex vesicaria	H	S	C
vesiculosus	L	vesicle, from vesicula, seed vesicle	Aldrovanda vesiculosa	H	S
vespertilionis	L	(wings) of a bat	Christia vespertilionis*
vespertinus	L	(flowering) in the evening	Asplenium vespertinum	H	S
vestitus	L	covered	Leucospermum vestitum	H	S
vexans	L	troublesome, from vexo	Buddleja vexans	H
vexillaris	L	with a flag, from vexillum	Pachycarpus vexillaris*		S
viarum	L	by the side of the road or path, from via. Cf. vialis.	Solanum viarum		S
victorialis	L	victorious, from victoria	Allium victorialis
villosus	L	hairy; villous	Vicia villosa	H	S	C
vinealis	L	vineyard, from vinea	Allium vineale
vinifer	L	yielding wine, from vinum	Vitis vinifera	H
vinosus	L	wine-red	Schefflera vinosa		S
violaceus	L	violet-coloured, from viola, a violet	Banksia violacea	H	S	C
violascens	L	light violet. Cf. violescens.	Pitcairnia violascens
virens	L	green	Rhus virens	H	S
viridis	L	fresh-green	Veratrum viride	H	S	C
viridescens	L	light green	Ferocactus viridescens, Nassella viridula	H	S
viridulus				H	S
viridissimus	L	greenest	Forsythia viridissima*	H		C
virgatus	L	twiggy	Homoranthus virgatus, Panicum virgatum	H	S	C
virginalis	L	virginal; white. Cf. virgineus.	Disa virginalis	H
virgultorum	L	hedge, from virgulta	Solanum virgultorum*
viscidus	L	sticky; viscid	Phacelia viscida	H	S
viscosus	L	sticky	Dittrichia viscosa	H	S	C
vitaceus	L	vine, from vitis. Cf. viticella.	Piper vitaceum*	H	S
vitellinus	L	yolk-coloured, from vitellus	Xanthophyllum vitellinum	H	S
vittatus	L	striped, from vitta, a (worn) band	Hakea vittata	H	S
vittiger
volubilis	L	circling around	Comesperma volubile	H	S
volutus	L	with rolled leaves, from voluto	Epidendrum volutum*		S
vomitorius	L	causing vomiting, from vomo	Ilex vomitoria	H		C
vulcanicus	L	of volcanos	Peperomia vulcanica		S
vulgaris	L	common	Marrubium vulgare	H	S	C
vulpinus	L	of foxes, from vulpes	Vitis vulpina
xanthinus	G	yellow	Acacia xanthina	H		C
xylonacanthus	G	woody-spined	Agave xylonacantha
zaleucus	G	very white	Rhododendron zaleucum*
zebrinus	L	zebra-striped, from Portuguese and New Latin	Tradescantia zebrina	H	S
zibethinus	L	(stinking) like a civet	Durio zibethinus	H
zonatus	L	banded, from zona, belt; zonate	Cryptanthus zonatus	H	S
zonalis				H

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 (A–C), D–K, L–P and Q–Z

References

• 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. https://books.google.com/books?id=KCUklchzUSkC&pg=PA38. 
• 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 00244074. 
• 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.