LATIN/GREEK SPECIES NAMES


Habitat Colour Flowers Leaf Shape
Leaf Edge Leaves Shape / Posture Hairs
Property Healing Edibility Seasons
Compass Points Country Abundance Reproduction / Sex
Flower Sex Magnitude Aesthetics Odour
Taste Dye Nomenclature Misc

 Habitat  
 Amphibia  A plant happy on both land and in water
 Aquatilis / Aquaticus / Aquaticum  In water
 Fontana / Fontanum  Of Springs / Near Water
 Palustris / Palustre  Of Marshland or Bog
 Uliginosum / Uliginosa  Of Marshland / Fen
 Paludosa / Paludosus  Of Bog
 Rivale / Rivularis  By a Brook / Water
 Fluviatile / Fluviatilis  In a River
 Stagnalis  Still Water / Pond
 Alpina / Alpinum / Alpinus  Alpine
 Arcticum  Arctic
 Oreades  Mountain Nymph
 Montana / Montanus  On a mountain
 Submontana  Below Mountains
 Uplandicum  Uplands
 Saxatalis / Saxatilis  Of Stoney Places
 Rupestris  Of Rocks
 Petraea  On Rocks
 Saxicola  On Rocks
 Muralis / Parietina  On Walls
 Tectorius  On Roofs
 Arenia / Arenarium / Arenaria / Arenarius  On Sand / Dunes
 Dunensis  On Dunes
 Maritima / Maritimum / Marina / Marinum  By the Sea
 Paralis  On the Beach
 Littorea / Littoralis  On the Seashore
 Sylvatica / Sylvestris  In a Wood
 Nemerosa / Nemorum  Of the Woods
 Arvensis / Arvense  Of Arable Fields
 Pratensis / Pratense  In a Meadow
 Sepium  Of Hedges
 Campestre / Campestris  Fields / Lowland Plains / Open Country
 Nivalis  Of Snow
 Urbanum  Related to Towns
 Hortensis  Garden (not Wild) / Horticultured

 Colour  
 Caeruleum / Caerulea  Dark-blue
 Caerulescens  Blueish
 Azureum  Sky-blue
 Cyanus  Blue
 Caesius  Lavender blue
 Pavonius  Peacock blue
 Violacea  Violet
 Purpurea  Purple
 Purpureum / Purpurea / Purpurella / Purpurata  Dull-red Purple
 Ignea  Fiery Red
 Erythraea / Erythrea  Red
 Cerasifera / Cerasus  Red
 Atropurpurea  Dark Purple
 Puniceus  Reddish-Purple
 Rufida  Reddish
 Atrorubens  Dark Red
 Purpurocaeruleuma  Blue and Purple
 Coccinea / Coccineus / Cardinalis  Scarlet
 Rubens / Rubra  Red
 Rubellum  Reddish
 Sanguineum / Sanguineus / Sanguinea  Blood Red
 Rosea  Rose-Red
 Aurantium / Aurea / Aurantiaca / Auratiacus  Orange / Golden
 Flavescens  Turning Yellowish
 Luridum  Pale Yellow
 Flavum  Yellow
 Xantho-  Yellow
 Luteus / Luteola / Lutea  Deep Yellow
 Viridis / Viridula / Viride  Green
 Chloro-  Green
 Casius / Caesia  Bluish or Greenish Grey
 Glaucum  Glaucous (bluish [or greenish] grey
 Niger / Nigra / Nigrum  Black (or poisenous)
 Nigricans  Blackening
 Cinerea  Grey
 Argentatum  Silvery
 Alba / Albus / Album / Albida  White
 Albescens  Whitish
 Leuco-  White
 Canum  White / Hoary
 Canescens  Greyish-White
 Incana  Grey
 Candidus / Candida  Bright / White
 Incarnata  Flesh-coloured
 Stramineus  Straw-coloured
 Brunnescens  Browning / Bronzed
 Fusca  Brown
 Ustalata  Burnt
 Lucidum / Lucens / Nitida / Fulgens  Shiny / Glossy

 Flowers  
 Florida  Flowering
 Anthus  Flower
 Flora- / Flos-  Flower
 Multiflora  Many-flowered
 Uniflora  One-flowered
 Parviflora / Parviflorus  Puny Flower
 Grandiflorus  Large-flowered
 Nodiflorum  Flowers sprouting from Nodes
 Octopetalla  Eight-petalled
 Lupulina  Having Hops
 Stellaris  Starry
 Noctiflora / Nocturnum  Night-flowering
 Campanulata  Bell-shaped
 Viridiflorus  Green-Flowered
 Chloranthus  Green-flowered
 Chrysantha  Golden-Flowered
 Paniculata  Flowers in Panicles
 Racemosum  Flowers in Racemes

 Leaf Shape  
 Rotundifolia  Round-leaved
 Nummularia  Coin-shaped
 Obtusifolia / Obtusifolium  Blunt-leaved
 Latifolia / Latifolium  Broad-leaved
 Augustifolium  Narrow-leaved
 Tenuifolia  Slender-leaved / Thin-leaved
 Lanceolata / Lancifolium  Lance-shaped
 Ensata / Xiphium  Sword-like
 Planifolia  Linear-leaved
 Ovata / Ovalifolium  Ovate / Oval
 Cordata  Heart-shaped
 Peltata  Shield-shaped
 Subulata  Awl-shaped
 Sagittifolium  Arrow-shaped
 Ficus  Fig-shaped
 Ulmus / Ulmaria / Ulmifolia  Elm-shaped
 Quercifolia  Oak-leaved
 Hedera / Hederaceus  Ivy-shaped
 Serpyllifolia  Thyme-leaved
 Palmata  Lobed like a Hand
 Botrys / Botryoides  Kidney-shaped / Bunch-of-Grapes-like

 Leaf Edge  
 Dentata  Toothed
 Serrata  Saw-toothed
 Laciniata  Deeply cut
 Crispula / Crispus / Crispa  Wrinkly / wavy
 Undulatum / Undulata  Wavy
 Plicatus / Plicata  Pleated

 Leaves  
 Folius  Leaved
 Microphylla  Small-leaved
 Macrophylla  Large-leaved
 Platyphyllos  Large-leaved
 Brevifolia  Short-leaved
 Oppositofolia / Oppositifolia  Opposite-leaved
 Alternifolia / Alternata  Alternate-leaved
 Heterophyllum  Different-leaved
 Ternata  In Groups of Three
 Trifolia / Trifoliata  Three-leaved
 Tetralix / Tetraphyllum  (4) Leaves in a Whorl
 Quadrifolia  Four-leaved
 Quinquefolia  Five-Leaved
 Verticulatum  Whorled
 Polyphyllus  Many leaves / leaflets
 Millefolium  A Thousand Leaflets
 Perfoliatum  Base of Leaf merges with Stem / Two leaves fused together with stem piercing centre
 Decurrens  Base of Leaf pierced by Stem
 Pinnatus  Pinnate
 Polifolia  Grey-leaved
 Cristata  Crested
 Tripolium  Three-veined
 Trinervia  Three-veined
 Reticulata  Net-veined / Reticulated
 Nervosa  Conspicuously veined
 Variegatum  Bi-coloured leaves
 Sempervirens  Evergreen
 Decidua  Deciduous

 Shape / Posture  
 Erecta / Recta  Upright
 Altissima  Tall
 Longus  Long
 Pendula  Drooping
 Nutans / Cernuus  Nodding / Nutating
 Reptans  Prostrate
 Prostata / Prostratus  Prostrate
 Procumbens  Prostrate
 Humifusa / Humifusum / Humilis  Prostrate / Low-growing
 Repens  Creeping
 Chamaedrys  Creeping
 Patula  Spreading
 Effusus  Spread-out
 Supinum  Flat on the Ground
 Spicata  Spiked
 Flexuosa / Flexuosum  Zig-zag / Tortuous
 Conopsia  Cone-shaped
 Pyramidalis / Pyramidata  Pyramidal
 Umbellatum  Umbrella-like
 Deltoides / Deltoidea  Triangular (equilateral)
 Spicant / Caespitosa / Comosa  Tufted
 Obtusangula  Obtuse-angled
 Truncata  Truncated
 Arboreus  Becoming Tree-like
 Arborescens  Tree-like
 Fruticosa / Fruticosus  Shrubby
 Cistus  Shrub
 Suffruticosa  Sub-shrubby
 Multiplex  With Many Stems
 Infracta / Incurvum  Curving inwards

 Hairs  
 Glabra  Smooth / Hairless
 Laevigatum  Smooth
 Canum / Incana  Hoary / White / Grey
 Lanata  Wooly
 Capillaris  With Hairs
 Villosa / Vilosum  Softly Hairy
 Polytrichus  Hairy
 Tomentosa  Hairy
 Hirsuta / Hirsutum / Hirta  Hairy
 Pilosa / Pilosum  Hairy
 Setosa / Setosus / Setosum  Bristly
 Hispidus  With Coarse Bristles
 Pilosus / Crinita  Long-haired

 Property  
 Viscosus / Viscosa / Viscaria  Sticky
 Granulata  With Little Knobs
 Sphondylium  Rounded
 Corniculatus  Horned
 Petiola  Stalked
 Nodosa  Nobbly / With Nodes
 Glandulifera  With Glands
 Tuberosum / Tuberosus  Tuberous Roots
 Bulbosum / Bulbosa  Bulbous
 Hypnoides  Below the Nodes
 Auri  Little Ear
 Podium  Foot
 Cruciata  Cross-shaped
 Tridactyl  Three-fingered
 Dissectum  Deeply Divided / Cleft
 Farinosa  Mealy
 Squamaria  Scaly
 Radicata  Having Roots
 Radicans  With Rooting Stems
 Graminae  Grass-like
 Tenella  Dainty
 Striata / Striatus  Striated / Ridged / Striped
 Vittatum  Banded
 Elongata  Elongated
 Inflexus  Inflexible
 Rigidissimus  Very Rigid
 Rigescens  Somewhat Rigid
 Flexilis  Pliable
 Fragilis  Fragile
 Helix / Spiralis  Helical / Coiled
 Glomerata  Clustered
 Tetragonum  Square-stemmed
 Tetraplesum  4-winged (stalk)
 Subterraneum  Burrowing
 Maculatum / Maculata / Maculosa  Spotted
 Punctata  Spotted
 Sphaerocephalon  Ball-brained!
 Virgatum / Virgata  Twiggy
 Inflata  Swolen
 Spinosa / Spinosum  Spiny
 Fistulosa  Tubular
 Discolor  Two-coloured
 Trionum / Tricolor  Three-coloured
 Aspera / Asper  Rough
 Ramosum  Branched

 Healing  
 Officinalis / Officinale Medicinal / Used by apothecaries
 Officinarum  Of Herb use
 Catharticum  Purging
 Dysenteria For treating dysentry
 Vulneria For healing wounds
 Frammula  Inflammatory

 Edibility  
 Sativa / Sativum A crop plant
 Edulis  An edible plant
 Oleraceous  Kitchen pot herb

 Seasons  
 Vernus / Vernum / Verna / Veris / Vernalis  Spring
 Autumnalis / Autumnale  Autumn
 Aestivum  Summer
 Hyemalis  Winter
 Nivalis  Snow
 Frigidus / Frigida  Cold
 Annua / Annuus  Annual
 Biennis  Biennial
 Perennis / Perenne  Perennial
 Rediviva  Reviving (Perennial)
 Praecox  Early flowering
 Serotina  Late flowering
 Majalis  Of the month of May

 Compass Points  
 Borealis / Boreale  Northern
 Australis  Southern
 Orientalis  Eastern
 Occidentalis / Hesperius  Western

 Country  
 Cambrica / Cambrensis / Cambricus  Welsh
 Anglica / Anglicum  English
 Scoticum / Scotica  Scottish
 Kewensis  Kew Gardens
 Zetlandica  Shetland Isles
 Europaea / Europaeus  European
 Islandica  Icelandic
 Danica  Danish
 Hollandica / Neerlandica  Holland
 Hispanica  Spanish
 Norvegica  Norwegian
 Canadensis  Canadian
 Caucasia  Caucasian
 Bohemica  Bohemian
 Pyrenaicum / Pyrenaica  Pyrenean
 Chinense / Sinense  Chinese
 Italicum / Italicus  Italian
 Americanus / Americana  American
 Baltica  Baltic
 Maroccana  Morocco
 Japonica / Japonicus  Japanese
 Asiatica  Asian
 Austriaca  Austrian
 Camtschatcense  Kamchatka
 Germanica  Germany
 Cyparissias  Cypress
 Eathiopica  Ethiopia
 Siberica  Siberia
 Armeniacum  Armenia
 Cashmiriani  Kashmir

 Abundance  
 Vulgaris / Vulgare / Vulgatum  Common
 Communis  Common
 Prolifera  Proliferous

 Reproduction / Sex  
 Sterilis  Sterile / Barren
 Dioica  Divided (M & F on separate stems/plants
 Viviparum / Vivipara  Germinating whilst still attached to its parent
 Hybridus  Hybrid (aaa × bbb)
 Chimaera  A cross (hybrid)
 Intermedia  A cross (hybrid)
 Digyna  With 2 Styles or Carpels
 Pentandra  Five-stamenned
 Hexandra  Six-stamenned
 Hermaphroditia  Male & Female
 Pubescens  Ripe
 Exoleta  Mature
 Polygama  Mixed Gender
 Polysperma  With many Seeds
 Parthenos / Parthenium  Maidens / Virgin
 Mascula  Male
 Femina  Female

 The Sex of Flowers  
 Hermaphrodite  All flowers having male and female characteristics
 Andromonoecy  Separate male and female flowers on the same plant
 Gynomonoecy  Both female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant
 Monoecy  Separate female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant
 Androdioecy  Male plants co-exist with hermaphrodite or monoecious plants
 Gynodioecy  Female plants co-exist with hermaphrodite or monoecious plants
 Dioecy  Male and female flowers separate plants
 Other  more complex arrangements

 Magnitude  
 Minimus / Minima  Smallest
 Vesca  Little
 Minus / Minor  Lesser / Smaller
 Media / Intermedia  Intermediate / Middle / Medium
 Major / Majus  Greater / Larger
 Altissima / Altissimum  Tall
 Elatum  Tall
 Procera / Procerum  Tall
 Exaltatum  Very Tall
 Grandis  Large
 Gigantea / Giganteum  Giant
 Maximum / Maxima  Largest

 Aesthetics  
 Formosa / Amabilis Beautiful
 Decorus  Beautiful
 Elegans  Elegant
 Elegantissimo  Most Elegant
 Eximia / Princeps  Distinguished
 Nobile  Notable
 Bella  Pretty
 Pulchellum / Pulchellus  Pretty
 Splendens / Splendidum  Splendid
 Venusta  Charming
 Superba / Superbus  Superb
 Magnifica  Magnificent
 Spectabilis  Spectacular
 Gloriosa  Glorious
 Gracilis  Graceful
 Jucundum  Pleasing
 Blanda  Pleasant
 Fastuosum  Proud

 Odour  
 Odorata / Odoratus / Odoratum  Scented
 Tetrahit  Foetid
 Foetidus / Foetidissima  Stinking
 Graveolens  Strong Smelling
 Moscatum / Moschata / Moschatus  Musky odour
 Fragrans  Fragrant
 Inodorum  Scentless
 Suaveolens  Sweetly scented

 Taste  
 Acris / Acre  Acrid, Sharp Taste
 Acetosa / Acetosella  Acidic
 Amarella / Amarus  Bitter
 Oxycoccus  Sharp tasting

 Dye  
 Tinctoria A plant useful for extracting a dye
 Crocata  Citron-yellow (dye)

 Nomenclature  
 Sens. Lat. (or s.l.) Sensu Lato denotes 'no taxon'; it is used to mean that it encompases all taxon of the species.
 agg. aggregate: a group of closely related species or sub-species.
 sp.  Species (singular).
 spp.  Species (plural)
 subsp. (or ssp.)  A sub-species of the taxonomic rank having various small differences, but which can interbreed with each other
 var.  A differing variety of the species in question, a naturally occurring and distict form of a plant, but of lower rank than is a sub-species.
<Genus Name>  a × b  Denotes a hybrid between plant 'a' and plant 'b'.
<Genus Name> × c  Denotes it is the 'common name' of the hybrid (between two un-specified plants a and b).
 ±  Approximately, tendency towards, not all do, varies, airy-fairy get-out clause!
 SSSI  A Site of Special Scientific Interest (but not necessarily for flora!)

 Misc  
 Sorbus  Berry
 Vulneratis  Wounded / Damaged
 Ophrys  Testicle
 Canina  Dog
 Saxifraga  Stone-breaker
 Molle / Mollis / Mollugo  Soft
 Columbaria  Dove-like
 Insectifera  Insect bearing
 Verum  True
 -oides  Looks like / Similar to
 -escens  Becoming


LATIN/GREEK SPECIES NAMES