Roots of Botanical Names: A

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a- (an-)
without, lacking (anacanthus = spineless; amorpha = without a definite form;
Arachis = without a rachis, the peanut genus / apetalus = without petals /
aphyllus = without leaves / apterus = without a wing)
abr-
delicate (Abrophyllum = delicate leaved)
acanth-
referring to a thorn, spines (Acanthus) (acanthoides = Acanthus-like /
chrysanthicum = golden-spined)
-ace(...)
partaking of (rosaceus / rosaceum = rosy)
acaul-
stemless (caul = stem) (acaulis)
acephal-
headless, without a head (ceph = head) (acephalus)
acerb-
harsh, bitter, stinging (acerbifolia)
acer-
referring to the genus, Acer, the ancient Latin name of the maple tree
(aceroides = Maple-like)
aceros-
needle-like (acerosus)
acet-
referring to acid (acetophylla = acid + leaf)
acicul-
referring to a needle (acicularis = needle-like)
acin-
referring to a saber (shape) (acinitus / acinaceus)
acri-
acrid, sharp (acris / acrifolia = sharp-leaved)
acro-
referring to the top of an entity, height (Acrocomia = hair at the top, a palm
genus with pinnate leaves)
actin-
referring to a ray (Actinidia, the Kiwi Fruit; cut one across and see the rayed
arrangement of the carpels (ovaries)) (actinophylla = Rayed leaves)
aculeat-
sting, prickle (aculeatus)
acuminat-
pointed, tapering (acuminatus)
acut-
acute, sharp (acutissima = very pointed / acutangulatus = acute + angle /
acutifidus = acutely cut / acutifolius = sharp + leaf / acutus)
ad-
to, on, onto (adnatum = joined to / adpressus = pressed against)
adeno-
referring to a gland (Adenophora = gland-bearing) (adenophylla = glandular
leaf)
adnat-
joined (adnatus)
adven-
adventive (advenuus)
aequi- / equi-
equal (aequinoctialis = equinox, )
aer-
referring to the air (aeranthos = air flower)
aethiopi-
referring to Ethiopia - or Africa in general (aethiopium)
aestiv-
referring to summer (aestivus)
affin-
related (affinis / affine)
agerat-
referring to the genus Ageratum (ageratifolia = Ageratum-like leaves)
aggreg-
clustered, aggregated (aggregatus)
agr-
referring to fields or farms (agrarius / agrestis)
alat-
winged or wing-like (alatus)
alb-
white (albiflorens = white-flowered / albidum / albomaculatum = white-
spotted / albicans / albicaulis = white-stemmed)
alli-
referring to the genus Allium which contains the onion, garlic, leeks, etc.
(alliacea)
alpestr-
alpine (alpestris)
alpin-
referring to alpine regions (alpinus)
altai-
Siberian (altaicus)
altern-
alternate (alternifolia)
alt-
referring to height (altus / altissimus = very tall)
amabil-
lovely (amabilis)
amar-
bitter (amara)
amethysti-
violet-colored (amethysticus)
amoen-
charming, lovely (amoena)
ampel-
referring to a vine (Ampelopsis = like a vine)
amphi-
both, two (amphibius)
amphor-
referring to an urn, a pitcher (amphoricaulis = stem shaped like a pitcher)
amplexi-
clasping (amplexicaulis = clasping the stem)
ampl-
ample, large (amplissimus = very large)
ampul-
referring to a flask (shape) (ampullacea)
amurensis
hailing from Siberia
amygdal-
almond-like (amygdalinus)
anatol-
referring to Asia Minor (anatoliensis)
anceps
two-edged
andi-
referring to the Andes (andicola / andinus)
andr-
referring to the male part, usually the anthers (androgynus = male + female
parts, indicating that both male and female flowers are found on the plant)
anemo-
referring to wind (Anemone = wind flower)
angli-
English (anglicum)
angui-
referring to a snake (shape) (anguinus)
angul-
referring to an angle (angularis / angulatus / angulosus)
angust-
narrow (angustus / angustifolia = narrow leaved)
anis-
unequal (Anisacanthus = unequal thorns)
annu-
annual (annuus)
annul-
ringed, annular (annularis / annulatus)
anomal-
anomalous, unusual, abnormal (anomalus)
anth-
referring to a male part (the anther), - a flower (Anthurium = flower + tail)
anti-
against (Antiacantha = against the spine - a bromeliad)
antill-
referring to the West Indies, Antilles (antillaris)
antipod-
referring to the Antipodes or the polar regions (antipodus)
antiqu-
ancient (antiquorus / antiquus)
apenn-
referring to the Apennines Mts. (Italy) (apenninus)
apert-
open, uncovered, bare (apertus)
apiculat-
with a point (apiculatus)
appendic-
referring to an appendage (appendiculatus)
applanatum
 flattened
applicatus
joined, attached
aqu-
referring to water (habitat) (aquatica / aquatilis / aqueus)
aquil-
eagle-like (aquilegia / aquilinus)
arab-
referring to Arabia (arabicus)
arachn- / aran-
referring to spiders (araneosa / arachnoides = like a spider)
arbor-
referring to trees (arborescens / arboricola / arborea)
arbus-
referring to a tree (arbusculus)
archont-
majestic, noble (Archontophoenix = majestic (date) palm)
arct-
referring to a bear (Arctotis = bear's ear)
arcuat-
referring to a bow (shape) (arcuatus)
arec-
referring to the genus Areca (palms) which, itself comes from a Malaysian
word meaning, a cluster of nuts (arecoides = Areca-like)
arena-
referring to sand (arenarius)
areol-
with an aereole, pitted (areolatus)
arg-
referring to silver (argentea / argentatum / argophyllus = silver-leaved /
argyraeus)
argut-
sharp, pointed (argutus)
arist-
referring to a beard (hairy, bristly) (aristatus / aristosus)
arma-
armed (armatus)
arom-
referring to odor (aromatica)
arrect-
 erect (arrectus)
articul-
jointed, articulate (articulatus)
arund-
referring to a reed (Arundinaria, the giant native reed) (arundinaceus
arven-
referring to cultivation (arvensis)
ascendens
ascending
asper-
rough (aspera / asperata / asper / aspericaulis = rough-stemmed /
asperrimus = very rough)
assimil-
like unto (assimilis)
assurg-
sprawling, clambering (assurgens)
astr-
referring to a star (Astrocaryum, star-nut, referring to the markings on the
seeds of this palm genus)
-astr(...)
like unto (liliastrum = like a lily)
ater
black
atr-
extreme, dark (atropurpurea = deep purple) (atratus = black / atrorubens =
dark red / atrovirens = dark green)
attenu-
attenuated, drawn-out to a point (attenuatus)
attic-
Greek (atticum)
august-
august, noble, majestic (augusta)
aurant-
referring to the color orange (Citrus aurantifolia, the lime (go figger!);
aurantifolia = orange-leaved / auranticus)
aure-
golden (aureus / aurespina = golden-spined)
auri-
referring to an ear (shape) (auritum / auriculatum)
austr-
 southern, Australian (australis)
avi-
referring to a bird, birdlike (avium / aviculare)
axill-
referring to axils (axillaris)
azur-
referring to the color blue (azureum)

Roots of Botanical Names: B

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bacc-
referring to berries (baccata / baccifera = berry-bearing)
balear-
referring to the Balearic Islands (balearica)
bambus-
referring to bamboo (bambusoides = like bamboo)
barbar-
foreign (barbarus)
barbadensis
native to Barbados
barbat-
bearded (barbatus)
barbi-
referring to beards or barbs (barbigera = bearing barbs)
basil-
royal (basilicum) ALSO basal (basilaris)
bell-
handsome, pretty (bellus / bellatus)
benghalensis
native to the State of Bengal in India
betul-
referring to the beech tree genus, Betula, the ancient Latin name of the tree
(betuloides = like a beech)
bi-
 referring to the number two, twice (bipinnatus = twice-pinnate / bicarinatus
= two-keeled / bicornis = two-horned / bicolor = two- colored / bifidus =
two + cut / bifurcatus = two + forked)
-bi(...)
referring to life (Dendrobium = tree + life, because this orchid genus is
epiphytic on trees)
bienn-
biennial (biennis)
bifurcat-
twice-forked (bifurcata)
bland-
mild, pleasant (blanda)
-blast(...)
referring to an embryo (Rhopaloblaste = club-shaped embryo)
blephar-
referring to an eyelash, therefore, fringed (blepharophylla = fringed leaves)
bombyc-
referring to silk (bombycina)
bon-
good (bonus / bona-nox = good/beautiful night)
boreal-
northern (borealis)
botry-
referring to a cluster (botryoides = cluster-like)
brach-
referring to a branch or an arm (brachiatus)
brachy-
short, squat (brachypodum = short foot)
bract-
referring to bracts (bracteata) - a bract is a leaf-like OR petal-like structure
beneath the true petals of some flowers (bracteosum)
brevi-
short (brevis / brevicaulis = short-stemmed / brevispina = short-spined /
brevipes = short-footed, stalked / brevirostris = short- beaked / brevisetus =
short-bristled)
brun-
brown (brunneus)
bry-
referring to moss (bryoides)
bucephalus
 ox-headed
bulb-
referring to a bulb (bulbosa / bulbifera = bulb-bearing)
bullat-
swollen (bullatus)

Roots of Botanical Names: C

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caes-
referring to the color blue (caesia)
caespi-
tufted, growing in a clump (cespitosus)
caffr-
referring to a region of S. Africa
cal-
beautiful (calophylla = beautiful leaf)
calabri-
referring to S. Italy (calabricus)
calam-
referring to a reed (calamifolia / calamus)
calath-
referring to a basket (Calathea)
calcarat-
referring to spurs (calcaratus)
calcare-
referring to lime (calcareus)
calceol-
referring to slipper (shape) (calceolatus)
callos-
thick, calloused (callosum)
calyc-
referring to a flower's calyx (calycina)
calypt-
referring to a covering (Euphoria = carried well)
cambr-
 referring to Wales
campan-
referring to a bell (Campanula) (campanulatum)
campestr-
referring to fields (campestris)
canal-
referring to lines, grooves (canaliculatus)
canariensis
referring to the Canary Islands - native to
candi-
hoary, white (candicans / candida)
cantabr-
referring to a part of Spain (cantabrius)
cana
referring to the color white or gray (cana)
canescens
gray (or white) and somewhat hairy
capens-
referring to the Cape of Good Hope (or ANY cape region) (capensis /
capense)
capill-
referring to a hair, thread (capillarius / capillare / capilliformis = formed like
a hair / capillipes+ = hair-like foot/stalk)
capit-
referring to the head (usually to the flower cluster) (capitatum)
cappadoc-
referring to a part of Eastern Europe and Western Asia (cappadocicum)
capr-
referring to a goat (capricornis = goat's horn / pes-caprae = foot + goat /
caprea)
capreol-
twining, twisting (Bignonia capreolatus)
caput
a head (caput-medusae = Medusa's head)
card-
referring to a heart (Cardiospermum = heart seed)
-card(...)
referring to a heart (Anacardium, the cashew genus, referring to the heart-
shaped fruit)
caric-
 referring to a part of Asia Minor (carica / Ficus carica = the common fig)
carin-
referring to a keel (carinata)
carn-
referring to flesh (usually the color) (carnea incarnata / carnosa)
carolin-
referring to the Carolinas (caroliniensis) OR in honor of the name Charles or
Carol)
-carp(...)
referring to a fruit (megacarpus = big fruited / macrocarpon = large fruit)
carpath-
referring to the Carpathian Mts. Region of Europe
cartilag-
referring to cartilege (cartilagineum)
cary-
referring to a nut (Caryota, the fishtail palm genus)
cathart-
cathartic (cathartica)
cathay-
referring to China (cathayensis)
caud-
referring to a tail (caudatus)
caul-
referring to a stem (cauliflorus = bearing flowers on the stem / caulescens)
-caul(...)
referring to a stem, trunk (albicaulis = white-stemmed)
cep-
referring to a head (Cephalanthus = flowers in a head /
-cep(...)
referring to a head (multiceps = many-headed)
cer-
referring to wax (cerifera = wax-bearing; the genus Cereus, because of the
wax-candle body shapes of most of the species / cerefolium = wax-leaved)
cera-
referring to a horn (ceratiformis = in the form of a horn / platyceras =
broad/flat horn)
ceras-
referring to a cherry (cherry-like) (laurocerasus = specific name of the
Cherrylaurel, the genus being Prunus (ancient Latin for the plum))
cerc-
 referring to a tail (Cercocarpus = tailed fruit, the Mountain Mahogany genus,
in the Rose family, whose fruit (hips) DO have little tails)
cernu-
bending, drooping (cernuus)
ceylan-
referring to Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
chaen-
open, split (Chaenomeles = split fruit)
chaet-
referring to a hair or bristle (chaetophylla = bristle-like leaves)
chalcedon-
referring to a part of Asia Minor, including Greece and Turkey
chamae-
dwarf, low (Chamaedorea = dwarf gift, a palm genus, refer- ring to the fact
that most species are of short stature and, therefore, their fruit ((the gift)) is
found at relatively low heights)
cheil-/ chil-
referring to a lip or margin (Chilopsis = like a lip, referring to the flaring,
trumpet-shaped flowers) (Cheilanthes = lip + flower)
chen-
referring to a goose (Chenopodium = goose + foot)
-chi(...)
referring to snow (Hedychium = sweet snow referring to the fragrant white
flowers of this member of the ginger family)
chinensis
referring to China
chit-
referring to a covering, a cloak (Rhodochiton = rosy covering)
-chlamy(...)
referring to clothes (chlamydea = clothed, covered)
chlor-
referring to the color green (chloranthus = green- flowered)
chrys-
yellow, golden (Chrysanthemum = golden flower) (chrysocoma = golden
hair)
-cid(...)
referring to the act (or art) of killing (Piscidea = fish + kill, the Fish Poison
Tree)
cili-
ciliate, hairy (ciliatus)
cinct-
girded, girdled (cinctus)
ciner-
referring to ashes (ash-colored) (Cineraria refers to the ash-colored leaves)
cinnabar-
referring to cinnabar, a reddish mineral (cinnabarinus)
circin-
coiled (circinnatus)
cirrh-
referring to a thread, a tendril (Cirrhopetalum, an orchid, = tendril-like
petals)
ciss-
referring to an ivy (Cissus)
citr-
referring to citrus (citrifolia = leaves having a citrus-like odor / citrinum)
clad-
referring to a branch (Cladanthus = branch + flower)
clav-
referring to a club (clavatus)
cleist- / cleis-
closed (Cleisostoma = closed mouth, referring to the flower shape /
Cleistocactus = closed + cactus)
clin-
inclined (Clinostigma = inclined stigma)
clyt-
beautiful, marvelous (Clytostoma = beautiful mouth, re- ferring to the
flaring, trumpet-shaped flowers of this genus)
cocc-
referring to a seed or berry (coccifera = bearing berries / Chiococca = snow
berry)
coccin-
red (coccineus)
cochl-
referring to a spoon, a spade (Cochlearia, referring to leaf shape) (cochlearis)
cochli-
referring to a spiral (Cochliostema = spiral stamens)
coco-
referring to a monkey (fr. Portuguese) (Cocos nucifera = the coconut palm,
whose nut (fruit) with its three eyes looks to some like a monkey's face -
nucifera = nut-bearing)
-codon
referring to a bell (Platycodon = broad bell-shaped)
coel-
hollow (Coelogyne = hollow female part)
coelest-
referring to the sky, blue (coelestina)
caerul-
bluish (cerulea as in Passiflora caerulea, the mostly blue-flowered Passion
Vine / caerulescens / caeruleus)
caes-
referring to the color blue-gray (caesium)
caespitos-
tufted, clumped (caespitosus)
collin-
referring to a hill (habitat) (collinus)
columb-
referring to a dove (columbaria)
com- -com(...)
referring to a hair (Acrocomia = top + hair, referring to the palms viewed
from a distance) (comosus)
commun-
common (communis)
commut-
referring to change, changeable (commutatus)
con-
with (having) (concolor)
confert-
crowded (confertifolia = crowded leaves)
coni-
referring to a cone (coniferus)
conjug-
joined together (conjugatus)
conoid-
cone-like (conoideus)
contort-
twisted, contorted (contortus)
coral-
coral, red (corallinus)
cord-
referring to a heart (cordifolia = heart-shaped leaf)
core-
referring to an insect (Coreopsis = like a bug)
cori-
referring to leather (coriaceus)
corn-
referring to a horn (tereticornis = cylindrical- horned / cornuta)
coron-
referring to a crown (coronata coronaria)
cors-
referring to Corsica (corsicus)
cort-
referring to bark (corticosa / excorticata = off + bark, referring to exfoliating
bark)
corusc-
referring to vibration, shaking
corymb-
referring to a corymb, a broad, + or - flat-topped flower cluster
(corymbosus)
coryn-
referring to a club (shape) (corynocalyx = club-shaped calyx)
coryph-
referring to the top (apex) of an entity (Corypha, a palm genus whose
immense members produce flowers only once, in a huge panicle at the very
tip of the trunk, and then the tree dies)
corys-
referring to a helmet (Corysanthus)
cost-
referring to ribs (costatus)
cotyl-
referring to a cup (Cotyledon, a genus of succulents whose leaves are, in
general, concave)
-cotyl(...)
referring to a cup
crass-
thick (Crassulaceae, a whole family of succulent (thick- stemmed) plants,
which includes the genus Crassula) (crassifolia = thick-leaved)
cren-
scalloped, crenulate (crenulatum)
crepid-
referring to a sandal (crepidatum)
crepit-
referring to rattles (crepitans)
crepusc-
referring to twilight (crepuscularia)
cret-
referring to chalk or the island of Crete
crinit-
hairy (crinitum)
crisp-
curled, crinkled (crispus)
crist-
referring to a crest (cristata crista-galli = crest of a cock / cock's comb)
croc-
referring to the crocus (yellow) (crocata / crocea /)
crotal-
referring to rattles (Crotalaria, a papilionaceus genus whose dry seed pods
are like castanets)
cruc-
referring to a cross (Cruciferae, a genus of plants, includ- many veggies, the
petals of whose flowers are so evenly distributed as to form a cross)
cruent-
referring to blood (cruenta)
crypt-
hidden, not obvious (cryptanthus = hidden flower)
cucul-
referring to a hood (cucullatus)
cultr-
referring to a knife (shape) (cultratus / cultratus)
cune-
referring to a wedge (shaped) (cuneiformis)
cupr-
referring to copper (color) (cuprea)
cupress-
referring to a cypress (cupressoides-like)
cuspid-
referring to a cusp or point (cuspidata)
cyan-
referring to the color blue (cyaneus)
cyath-
 referring to a cup (cyathiforme = cup-shaped / cyathiphorum = cup-
bearing)
cycl-
referring to a circle (Cyclanthera = circle of anthers)
cycn- / cygn- / cyn-
referring to a swan (cygniformis / Polycynis = many swans, referring to the
flowers of this genus of orchids)
cyl-
referring to a cylinder (cylindriata)
cymb-
referring to a boat (shape) (cymbiformis)
cyn-
referring to a dog (Cynoglossum = dog's tongue)
cym-
referring to a cyme (a broad, flat-topped flower cluster) (cymosa)
cypho-
referring to a hump, a tumor, a wart
cypr-
referring to copper (cypreus) - or a slipper (Cypr- ipedium, the Lady-Slipper
genus of orchids)
cyrt-
referring to a curve (Cyrtostachys = a curved spike (of flowers))
cyst-
referring to a cyst or bladder (Cystacanthus = bladder + thorn)

Roots of Botanical Names: D

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dactyl-
referring to a finger (Phoenix dactylifera, the date palm, = finger-bearing,
referring to shape of the fruit cluster)
daemon-
referring to a spirit, a demon (Daemonorops = demon shrub, a palm with
spines)
dasy-
 thick (Dasystachys = thick spike (of flowers))
de-
from, out of, off (decorticans = off + skin, therefore, peeling bark)
dealb-
whitish (dealbata)
debil-
weak (debiliformis = weak form)
deca-
referring to the number ten (decapetalus = ten-petalled)
decip-
drooping, deceptive, falling (decipiens)
declin-
declined, drooping (declinatus)
decor-
decorative (decora)
decumb-
reclining, prostrate, decumbent (decumbens)
decur-
literally 'running downwards,' usually meaning that the leaf 'runs down,' i.e.,
is joined to the stem of the plant (decurrens)
deflex-
bent downwards (deflexus)
delph-
referring to the dolphin (Delphinium, whose flowers supposedly resemble
dolphins)
delect-
chosen, desirable, tasty (delectus)
deltoid-
triangular (deltoidea)
dendr-
referring to a tree (Dendrocalamus = tree + reed, the great giant tropical
bamboo genus)
dent-
referring to a tooth (dentata)
denud-
naked (denudatus)
depend-
hanging (dependens)
-derm(...)
referring to skin, theredore bark (leucodermis = white- bark)
desm-
referring to a bond, or band (Desmoncus = band + hook, referring to the
barbed leaves of this genus)
di-
referring to the number two (diacanthus = two-spined / dioica = two
houses, indicating that the flowers are of separate sexes and found on
different plants) (dipterocarpus = two + wing + fruit)
dichot-
two-branched (dichotomus)
dicty-
referring to a net (Dictyogramma = net-like + lines)
didy-
double, twinned (Didymocarpus = twin fruit) (didyma)
digit-
referring to fingers (Digitalis, the shape of the flowers supposedly
resembling the finger of a glove) (digitata)
dilat-
spread out, expanded (dilatatus)
dios-
referring to a god or divinity (Diospyros = god + fruit, the persimmon)
dipl-
double (Diplothemium = double-sheathed)
dis-
referring to the number two or to a difference (discolor = (two-colored)
distich-
referring to two ranks (as in the arrangement of leaves); (distichum)
diurn-
referring to daytime (diurnum)
divari-
divergent, spreading (divaricatus)
divergens-
divergent, wide-spreading
divers-
variable (diversiflora = variable-flowered)
divi-
divided (divisus)
dodec-
twelve (dodecanthus = twelve-spined)
domestic-
domestic, cultivated (domestica)
-dont(...)
referring to a tooth (macrodonta = large-toothed)
-dor(...)
referring to a gift (Haemodorum = blood gift)
dory-
referring to a spear, lance (Doryanthes = lance-flower)
drac-
referring to a dragon (Dracaena draco = the dragon tree of the Canary
Islands)
dros-
referring to dew (Drosera, the sundew genus)
drup-
referring to a berry-like fruit (drupifera = fruit -bearing / drupacea)
dry-
referring to an oak, wooden (Dryopteris, the wood-fern genus)
dub-
doubtful, dubious (dubius)
dulc-
sweet, tender (dulcis)
dumos-
bushy (dumosus)
dupl-
double (duplicatus)
dur-
durable hard, woody (durabilis)

Roots of Botanical Names: E

Back to Index
e-
without, (emarginatus = without a margin) ALSO out of, out from (erumpens
= breaking out of)
eben-
referring to ivory (ebenaceus)
echin-
 referring to a bristle, prickle, spine (hedgehog) (Echino- cereus, a cactus
genus)
edul-
edible (edulis)
elae-
referring to the olive (elaeiformis = shpaed like an olive)
elat-
tall (elata)
eleg-
referring to elegance (elegantissima)
elepha-
referring to an elephant (Phytelephas = Elephant Plant, a palm genus noted
for the hard, white endosperm of the seeds, which can be worked like ivory)
ens-
referring to a sword (ensiformis = formed like a sword / ensifolia = sword +
leaf / ensata)
-ense
native to (canariense = native to the Canary Islands)
-ensis
native to (canadensis)
entom-
referring to insects (entomophilus = insect-loving)
epi-
upon (Epigaea = on the ground)
equ-
referring to horses (equinus)
aequator-
referring to equatorial regions (aequatorialis)
equin- / equis-
referring to horses (Equisetum, the horsetail genus) (equisetifolia)
erem-
solitary, deserted (therefore usually refers to a desert) (Eremurus = desert +
tail)
eri- / erio-
referring to wool (eriospatha = hairy spathe / eriocarpa = wooly fruit)
erica-
referring to the genus Erica, the Heath (ericoides)
erina-
referring to spines, a hedgehog (Erinacea)
eros-
 jagged (erosus)
erubescens
retiring, blushing - usually referring to color - literally, emitting rose-color
erythr-
red (Erythrina, the tropical coral-tree)
escul-
edible (esculentum)
eu-
well, good, normal, complete (Eucalyptus, well and calypt (kalypt, calypt =
covered, referring to the seed capsules) (eumorpha = well-formed)
ex-
out of, from (Exorrhiza = from the root)
exalt-
very high, tall, lofty (exaltata)
excel-
exalted, lofty, high, tall (excelsus / excelsior)
exci-
cut (excisus)
exigu-
small, lowly (exiguus)
exim-
distinguished (eximia)

Roots of Botanical Names: F

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faba-
referring to a bean (fabaceus)
falc-
referring to a sickle (shaped) (falcatus)
farin-
referring to starch or wheat (farinacea / farinosa)
fasciat-
flat (fasciatus)
fascicul-
 clustered (fasciculatus)
febri-
referring to fever (febrifugus = fever + flight, driving away fever)
fenestr-
referring to a window (fenestralis)
-fer(...)
bearing, producing (coccifera = bearing berries; resiniferous; nucifera = nut-
bearing; indigofera = indigo-bearing)
fero-
ferocious (Ferocactus = ferociously-spined cactus) (ferox is the Lat. adjective)
ferr-
referring to iron, rusty (color) (ferruginea)
fert-
referring to fruit, fruitful (fertilis)
festuc-
referring to the genus Festuca, a grass, therefore grass- like (festucoides)
fic-
referring to the genus Ficus (ficifolia = figleaf) (ficus-indica = fig of India)
(ficaria / ficoides = like a fig)
-fid(...)
parted, divided (multifida = many-parted; bipinnatifida = twice/doubly-
pinnately cut/divided)
fili-
referring to a thread (filifera = thread-bearing / filipes = hair + stalk/foot/
filipendulum = thread + drooping)
filic-
referring to ferns (filicifolia = fern-like leaves); the noun is filix = fern (filix-
femina = fern + woman, the lady-fern)
fimbr-
referring to a fringe (fimbriatus)
fissi-
split (fissifolia)
fistul-
hollow tubelike (fistularis / fistulosa)
flabell-
fan-like (flabelliformis = formed like a fan)
flaccid-
soft (flaccida)
flagell-
referring to a whip (flagelliforma)
flamm-
referring to a flame (color) (flammeus)
flav-
referring to yellow (flavescens / flavum / flavida)
flex-
pliable, crooked, bent (flexuosus = bent)
floc-
referring to wool (floccosus)
flor-
a flower (floribunda = abundantly-flowering)
flui-
floating (fluidans)
fluv-
referring to a river (fluvialis)
foetid- fetid-
stinking (foetida)
foli-
referring to leaves (foliosa)
-foli(...)
referring to leaves (latifolia = flat-leaved)
foll-
referring to follicles (follicularis)
-form(...)
in the form of .... (fusiforma = spindle-shaped)
formos-
beautiful (formosa / formosissima = most beautiful) NB: formosana usually
refers to Formosa (Taiwan))
formosan-
referring to Formosa (Taiwan) (formosanum)
-frag(...)
referring to a break or rupture (rupifragum = rock- breaker)
frax-
referring to the ash tree (fraxifolia = ash-foliaged / fraxinifolia)
frond-
referring to a leaf (frondosa)
-frons
referring to a leaf (frond) (simplicifrons)
frigid-
referring to cold regions (frigida)
fruct-
 referring to fruit (esp. the grape) (fructifera = fruit- bearing)
frut-
referring to a shrub (shrubby) (fruticosa / fruticans = shrubby)
fuc-
painted (fucatus) - ALSO referring to a red alga plant in shape (fucoidea)
fulg-
shining, excessive (fulgens)
fulgin-
black, dark in color (fulginosa)
fulv-
referring to the color yellow (orange) (fulvescens, fulvida / fulvus)
furc-
forked. cleft (furcatus)
fusc-
brown, reddish-brown (fuscus)
fusi-
referring to a spindle (fusiformis)

Roots of Botanical Names: G

Back to Index
-gae(...)
referring to the earth, ground (hypogaea = underground)
-gal(...)
referring to milk (Polygala = many milks, referring to a myth that the plants
increase the flow of mother's milk)
gall-
referring to Gaul (France), Gallic (gallicus) ALSO referring to a cock (rooster)
(crus-galli = cock-spur)
gam-
united (married) (gamopetala = joined petals) (polygama = many married,
meaning, in a botanical sense, that the flowers are of both sexes on a single
plant)
gast-
referring to a stomach, a belly, swollen (Gasteria, a a genus of succulents, the
appearance pf which is somewhat a swollen stem)
gemin-
 referring to twins (geminiflora)
gemm-
referring to jewels or buds (gemmiflorus)
geo-
referring to the earth, the ground (geoides)
-ger(...)
bearing (cornigera = with a horn)
gibb-
swollen on one side (the gibbous moon) (gibbosa)
gig-
referring to giants or immensity (gigantea)
glabr-
smooth (glabrescens)
glad-
referring to a sword (Gladiolus, because of the leaves)
gland-
referring to a gland (glandulifera = gland-bearing)
glauc-
milky, with a bloom, greyish (glaucescens / glaucinus)
glob-
referring to a ball or sphere (globulus)
glom-
referring to a cluster (glomerata)
glor-
glorious (gloriosa)
gloss-
referring to a tongue (shape) (Ophioglossum = snake's tongue - a fern)
glut-
referring to glue (glutinosa)
glyc-
sweet (in taste) (Glycyrrhiza, the licorice plant, = sweet root)
-gon(...)
referring to an angle (Polygonum = many-angled/jointed) (chrysogonum =
golden angle (star))
goni-
referring to an angle (Goniopterus = angle-winged)
gongyl-
rounded, swollen (gongyloides)
gossyp-
 referring to the genus Gossypium, the cotton plant (gossypifolium = cotton
plant + leaf)
gracil-
graceful, slender (gracilis / gracilipes = slender + foot / stalk)
graec-
pertaining to Greece (Greek) (graeca)
gramin-
referring to grass (graminifolia = grass-like leaves)
gramm-
referring to a line / written upon (Grammatophyllum = written-on (lined)
leaves)
grand-
large (grandiceps = large-headed)
granul-
granular, grainy (granulosus)
-graph(...)
referring to writing (xerographica = dried writing)
grat-
wonderful, pleasing, likeable (gratus gratissima)
graveol-
heavy (often referring to odor) (graveolens)
gris-
referring to the color gray (griseus)
gumm-
referring to gum (gummifera = gum-bearing)
gutt-
referring to a spot or a drop (the genus Guttifera whose leaves exude water))
(guttatus = spotted)
gymn-
naked, bare (gymnocladus = bare-branched)
gyn-
referring to the female sex (Gynura tailed woman - just wanted to see if you
were awake! -- a stigma with a tail) (monogyna = single female sexual part, a
single pistil)
gyr-
revolving, gyrating (gyrans)
Roots of Botanical Names: H

Back to Index
haema-
referring to blood (Haemanthus = blood flower) (haematodes)
hal-
referring to salt (halodendron = salt + tree)
ham-
referring to a hook (hamosus)
haplo-
referring to the number one (haplophylla = one-leaved)
harp-
referring to a sickle (shape) (harpophyllus = sickle-shaped leaf)
hast-
referring to a spear (hastatum)
hebe-
pubescent (hebecarpus = hairy-fruited)
hedy-
sweet, fragrant (Hedycarya = sweet nut)
heli-
referring to the sun (Helianthus = sun flower)
helic-
referring to a spiral, a coil (helicoides)
helvetic-
referring to Switzerland (helvetica)
hemero-
referring to a day (Hemerocallis = beautiful for a day)
hemi-
half (hemisphaericus = half a sphere)
hepat-
referring to the liver (shape) (hepaticus)
hepta-
referring to the number seven (heptaphyllum = seven- leaved)
herb-
not woody (herbaceous) (herbacea)
hesper-
referring to the evening or the west (Hesperaloe = Western Aloe)
heter-
 variable, different, not-alike (Heteranthera = having unlike anthers in the
flowers)
hexa-
referring to the number six (hexagonus = six-angled)
hibern-
referring to winter (hibernalis) OR Ireland (hibernicus)
hipp-
referring to a horse (Hippocrepis = horse-shoe)
hirss- / hirt-
referring to hair (hirtellus = somewhat hairy) / (hirsutum)
hispid-
referring to bristles (hispidula)
hort-
referring to a garden (cultivated) (hortensis / hortulanum)
humil-
low, dwarf (humilis / humile)
hyal-
transparent, translucent (hyalina)
hyem- / hiem-
referring to winter (hyemalis)
hydr-
referring to water (Hydrocotyle = water cup)
hyl-
referring to wood (Hylocereus, a climbing, night- blooming cactus with
eventual woody stems)
hymen-
referring to a membrane (Hymenocallis = beautiful membrane, referring to
the membrane which connects the base of the anthers in this genus of the
spider lily)
hyo-
referring to a hog/swine (Hyophorbe = swine food)
hyper-
above, far, extreme (hyperborealis = of the far north)
hypo-
under, beneath (hypophyllus = under the leaf / hypoleuca = white beneath)
hystr-
bristly (hystrix)

Roots of Botanical Names: I

Back to Index
iber-
referring to Spain (Iberis)
-ifoli(...)
this part is used very much in combination with parts of generic names (as a
prefix) to mean leaves like [x] where [x] is the generic word-part prefix
(aconitifolium = leaves like Aconitum) (ulmifolia = leaves like Ulmus, the elm)
ign-
referring to fire (color) (igneus)
ilic-
referring to the holly tree (plant) (illicifolia = holly-leaved)
illic-
referring to fragrance/seduction (Illicium)
illustr-
bright, notable (illustris)
illyr-
referring to Greece (illyrica)
imbricat-
shingled, overlapping (imbricatus)
immacul-
spotless, immaculate (immaculata)
imper-
regal, imperious (imperator / imperialis)
impres-
sunken (impressum)
in-
un..., not .... without (inermis = unarmed / inapertum = not + open, therefore
closed)
inaequal-
unequal (inaequalifolius = unequal leaves)
incan-
hairy, hoary (incana)
incarn-
referring to flesh (colored) (incarnatus)
incis-
cut (incisus)
incurv-
bent inward (incurvatus)
indent-
 indented (indentata)
ind-
Indian (the subcontinent) (indica)
-ind(...)
referring to India (Morinda = mulberry + India)
indivis-
undivided (indivisus)
inerm-
unarmed (inermis)
infector-
referring to dyes and the process of dyeing (infectoria)
infest-
unsafe (infesta)
inflat-
swollen (inflatus)
ingens
massive, tremendous (size)
insign-
remarkable, distinguished (insignis / insigne)
integ-
entire (integrifolia = entire (margin)-leaved / integerrimus = very complete,
entire)
intors-
turned inwards (intorsus)
involucr-
referring to an involucre (involucrata)
ion-
referring to a violet or the color (Ionopsis = violet-like - an orchid)
irid-
referring to the genus Iris, Gr. for rainbow (iridiflorus = iris-flowered)
isa- / iso-
equal, like (Isochilus = equal lips - an orchid) (isophylla = equal (sized)
leaves)
-issim(...)
most, very (viridissima = very green / altissima = VERY tall)
ital-
referring to Italy (italica)
Roots of Botanical Names: J

Back to Index
japon-
referring to Japan (japonica)
java-
referring to Java (javanicus)
juba-
crested (jubatus)
junc-
referring to a reed, Juncus (juncifolia = Juncus-leaved)

Roots of Botanical Names: L

Back to Index
labi-
referring to a lip (labiata)
lachry-
referring to a tear (like in drop) (lachrymosa)
lacin-
torn, cut, incised (laciniatus)
lact-
referring to milk (lactiflorus = milk-colored flowers)
lacun-
referring to a hole or pit (lacunosa)
lacustr-
referring to a lake (lacustris)
laet-
bright (laetum)
laevi-
smooth (laevigatus / laevis /laeve)
lagen-
referring to a bottle (Lagenaria, a gourd genus)
lan-
referring to wool (lanata, lanosus)
lanc-
referring to a lance (lanceolatus)
lanig-
 referring to wool (lanigerus = wool-bearing)
lanug-
referring to wool or down (lanuginosus)
larici-
referring to the genus Larix, the Larch tree (laricifolia = leaves like a larch)
lasi-
rough, hairy (lasiocarpus = rough fruit)
later-
lateral, referring to a side (lateriflora = flowers on the side)
laterit-
referring to a brick (color) (lateritium)
lati-
broad, wide - horizontally (latifolia = wide-leaved)
lauri-
referring to the Laurel tree (laurifolius = leaves like the laurel)
lavand-
referring to the genus Lavandula, the Lavender plant which name, itself,
comes from the Latin word to wash, the plant having been used since
ancient times in the bath water (lavandulacea)
lax-
loose, open (laxifolia = loosely/sparsely-leaved) (laxa)
leia- / leio-
smooth (leiocarpus = smooth fruit)
lenti-
referring to a lens (lentiformis = in the form of a lens)
leon-
referring to a lion (Leontopodium, the Edelweiss, = lion's foot)
lep-
referring to scales (Lepidium = little scale)
-lep(...)
referring to a scale (Microlepia = small scale - a fern)
lepr-
scurfy (leprosepala = scurfy petalled)
lept-
thin, slender (Leptocodon = slender bell)
leuc-
referring to the color white (Leucadendron = silver tree) (leuconeura = white-
nerved)
lign-
referring to wood (lignosa)
ligul-
referring to a strap (shape)
limn- / lim-
referring to mud or marshes (Limodorum = marsh gift)
line-
linear (linearis) ALSO meaning lined (lineatus)
ling-
referring to a tongue (lingua / lingularia)
liri-
referring to a lily (Liriodendron = lily + tree)
-liri(...)
referring to a lily (Dasylirion, thick lily)
litho-
referring to a stone (Lithospermum = stone seed)
littor-
referring to a shore (sea) (littoralis)
lob-
referring to lobes - as a suffix it usually refers to a fruit
loma-
referring to a margin (Lomatophyllum = margined leaf)
lonch-
referring to a lance (Lonchocarpus = lance-fruit)
longi-
long (longipes = long foot)
loph-
referring to a crest (Lophophora (the Peyote) = crest-bearing)
lor-
referring to a strap (Loranthus = strap-flower)
lori-
referring to a strap (lorifolius = strap-leaved)
lucid-
referring to light; bright, clear, lustrous (lucida)
ludovic-
referring to King Louis [x], therefore, by extension, to the State of Louisiana
(ludoviciana)
luna-
referring to the moon (usually in crescent shape) (Lunaria, referring to the
moon-shaped seed pods / lunatus = crescent-shaped)
lurid-
pale, sallow (luridus)
lusitan-
referring to Portugal (lusitanica)
lute-
referring to the color yellow (esp. light yellow) (lutescens / lutea)
lyc-
referring to a wolf (Lycopersicum ((Lycopersicon)) = wolf-peach - the tomato;
the derivation is probably due to the fact that the fruit was once considered
poisonous)
lyr-
referring to a lyre (shape) (lyrata)

Roots of Botanical Names: M

Back to Index
macr-
large (macranthus = large-flowered)
macul-
referring to a spot (maculatus)
magellan-
referring to the area of the Straits of Maggellan (magellanica)
magn-
big, magnificent (magnificus / magnimama = big mama, actually mammary
glands, the protuberances on a species of Mammillaria)
maj-
major, larger (major / majus)
majal-
referring to the month of May (flowering) (majalis)
malabar-
referring to an area of India (malabaricum)
malac-
soft (Malacocarpus = soft-fruited) (malacodendron = soft + tree)
malv-
referring to the genus Malva, the Mallow (malvacea)
mamm-
 referring to breasts or nipples (mammifera = breast- bearing breasts or
nipples) (Mammillaria, a great genus of cactus, because all the bodies of the
plants bear many nipple-like protuberances)
manic-
referring to a covering of dense hairs, a sleeve (manicata)
margin-
referring to a margin (marginalis)
mariland-
referring to Maryland (marilandica)
marin-
referring to the sea marinum)
marit-
referring to the seashore (maritima)
marm-
marbled, marbled (marmoratus / marmoreum)
mas
male - usually referring to robustness of the plant, rather than sex of the
flowers -- sexist!
maurit-
referring to North Africa (mauritania)
maxim-
largest (maxima)
maxil-
referring to a jaw (maxillaris
medul-
referring to marrow, the center, the pith (medullaris)
mega-
large (megacarpa = large-fruited / megalanthus = large-flowered)
mela-
black (Melaleuca = black (trunk) + white (branches))
mel- / mell-
referring to honey (melliodora = honey-scented) (Melianthus = honey
flower)
-meles
referring to an apple, or any fruit (Chaenomeles = split + fruit)
melo-
referring to a melon (meloformis = melon shaped)
men-
referring to a month and, by extension, the moon (Menispermum = moon
seed)
menisc-
referring to a crescent (meniscifolius = crescent- shaped foliage)
-mer(...)
referring to parts (trimera = three parts)
merid-
referring to noon (meridionalis = mid-day bloomer)
mes-
mixed, middle (Mesembryanthemum = mid-day flower)
metr-
referring to the center (heart) of an entity (Metroxylon = heartwood)
mica-
referring to mica, glittering (micans)
mic-
referring to mica or glitter (micans)
mille-
referring to the number 1000 or a very large number (millefolius = very
many leaves)
mim-
referring to a mime (Mimosa, because of the closing up of the leaflets in
many species - also Mimulus, because the flowers are supposedly similar to
grinning faces - by extension, a monkey or an ape: Mimusops = like a
monkey)
minax
forbidding, threatening (like thorns)
miniat-
of a reddish color (miniata)
minim-
very small (minimus)
minor / minus
smaller
minut-
very small (minutus)
mirab-
wonderful (Mirabilis, the Four-O'Clock genus)
misc-
referring to a stem (Miscanthus = stem flower)
mitis
mild, gentle, unarmed
mitr-
referring to a turban, mitre (mitrocarpus = mitre-shaped fruit)
modest-
modest, unaffected, usually means unadorned (modesta)
moldav-
referring to Rumania (moldavicus)
moll-
soft (hairy) (mollis / mollissima / molle)
molucc-
referring to the East Indies
mon-
referring to the number one (Monanthes = single-flowered) (monophylla =
one leaf)
monil-
referring to necklace (monilifera = necklace-bearing)
monst-
monstrous, abnormal (Monstera, because of the unusual, cut leaves)
mont-
referring to a mountain (montanus)
monti-
referring to mts. (monticolus)
mor-
referring to the genus Morus, the mulberry
-mord(...)
to bite (Momordica, referring to the appearance of the seeds)
-morph(...)
referring to form (polymorpha = many forms / callimorphum = beautifully-
formed)
mosch-
referring to musk (odor) (Moschosma = musk-like odor / moschata)
mucron-
referring to a point (usually in shape of leaf) (mucronatus)
multi-
many (multiflora = many-flowered / multicaulis = many-trunked)
munit-
referring to defense (with thorns, prickles, etc.) (munitus)
mura-
referring to a wall (muralis)
muric-
rough, knobby (muricata)
mus- / myos-
 referring to a mouse (Myosotis = mouse ear - the Forget -Me-Not genus, in
reference to the mousy leaves
musc-
referring to musk (Muscari, because of the musky odor of the flowers of M.
moschatum) ALSO referring to a fly (muscivorus = fly-eating)
mutab-
referring to change, variability (mutabilis)
mutic-
blunt (mutica)
myr-
referring to myrrh (Myristica, the nutmeg genus, because of the odor)
myri-
numberless, too many to count, myriad (Myriocephalus = with a myriad of
heads)
myrmec-
referring to ants (myrmecophilus = beloved of ants)
myrt-
referring to the myrtle genus, Myrtus (Myrtillocactus = myrtle-berried cactus)
myrtifolia = myrtle-leaved)

Roots of Botanical Names: N

Back to Index
nan-
dwarf (Nannorhops = dwarf bush) (nanus)
nat-
floating, swimming (natans)
nav-
referring to a ship (navicularis)
nem-
referring to a thread (Nemastylis = thread-like styles (of the flower)
nemor-
referring to the woods (nemoralis / nemorum)
neo-
new (Agave neo-mexicana)
nepalens-
referring to Nepal (nepalensis / nepalense)
nephr-
referring to a kidney (shape) (Nephrolepis = kidney- shaped scale - the spore
cases of this genus of ferns)
neri-
referring to the genus Nerium, the oleander (neriifolia = oleander-shaped
leaf)
nervos-
referring to a nerve (nervosus)
neva-
referring to mts., Nevada, Sierra Nevada (nevadensis)
nicit-
blinking, moving (nicitans)
nid-
referring to a nest (nidus / nidularia)
nigr-
referring to the color black (nigrescens nigricans)
nilo-
referring to the river Nile
niph-
referring to snow (niphophilus = snow-loving)
nit-
shining (nitens / nitida)
niv-
referring to snow or the color white (nivea / nivalis)
nobil-
noble, renowned (nobilissimus = most noble / nobile)
noct-
referring to the night (nocturnum)
nod-
referring to a node (nodosus)
noli-
the negative imperative (noli-tangere = touch-me-not)
not-
marked, notable (notabilis)
notho-
false (Nothofagus = false Beech tree)
nov-
new (novae-zelandica = New Zealand)
nub-
referring to a cloud (nubicola)
nuc-
referring to a nut (as in Rifflea nucoides var. obesiformis)
nud-
naked (nudicaulis = naked stem)
num-
referring to coins (shape) (numismatus / nummularium)
nutans
nodding
nyct-
referring to the night (Nyctanthes = night flower)

Roots of Botanical Names: O

Back to Index
ob-
reverse, inverse, upside down, etc. (obovatus)
obes-
fat (obesus)
obfusc-
cloudy, confused (obfuscatus)
obliq-
oblique, slanting (obliqua)
oblong-
oblong (surprise!) (oblongifolia = oblong leaves)
occi-
western (occidentalis)
ochr-
yellowish (Ochrocarpos = yellow fruit)
oct-
referring to the number eight (Octomeria = eight parts - an orchid)
ocul-
referring to an eye (oculiforma = in the shape of an eye / oculatum)
odont-
referring to a tooth (Odontoglossum = toothed tongue)
-odon(...)
referring to a tooth (Leontodon = lion's tooth)
oen-
referring to a vine, esp. the grape vine; therefore, by ex- tension, WINE
(Oenothera, the evening primrose, = wine-scented)
offic-
official, recognized (usually from medicine or commerce) (officinalis)
-oide(...)
like unto (botryoides = cluster-like / malacoides = mallow-like /
dendroideum = tree-like))
ole-
referring to oil (olive) (oleifera = oil-bearing)
oler-
referring to a vegetable, edible (oleracea)
olig-
few (oligocarpa = few-fruited)
oliv-
referring to an olive (olivifolia = leaves like an olive)
omni-
all (kinds)
onc-
referring to a barb, a protruberance, a tubercle (Oncidium)
ono-
referring to a donkey (Onosma = donkey + smell - which donkeys
supposedly favor) !
opac-
shaded (opacus)
operc-
referring to a lid (operculatus)
ophio-
referring to a snake (Ophiopogon = snake's beard) !
-opsis
like unto (Chilopsis, lip-like) (phalaenopsis = like a moth)
orbic-
round (orbicularis)
orch-
referring to an orchid (or the sexual parts of a flower) - actually, the Gr.
word, orchis refers to the male gonads (orchioides = like an orchid)
oreo- / oro-
referring to mountains (Oreocereus = mountain cactus / oreophilus =
mountain-loving)
orient-
 referring to the Orient, eastern (orientalis)
ornat-
showy, adorned, ornate (ornatus)
ornith-
referring to a bird (Ornithocephalus = bird's head) (ornithorhyncum = bird +
snout/beak)
orth-
straight, correct (Orthocarpus = straight fruit)
osm-
referring to an odor (Osmanthus = fragrant flower)
-osm(...)
referring to an odor (Coprosma = feces + odor)
ost-
referring to a bone, therefore hardness (Osteospermum = bone seed)
-ot(...)
referring to an ear (Leonotis = lion's ear)
oval-
oval (ovalis)
ovat-
ovately shaped (ovata)
ovi-
referring to an egg (shape) (ovifera = egg-bearing)
ox- / oxy-
sharp, pointed, sour (Oxalis, referring to the oxalic acid in the leaves and
roots) (oxycarpa = sharp, pointed fruit)

Roots of Botanical Names: P

Back to Index
pachy-
thick (Pachyrhizus = thick root / pachyphyllum = thick-leaved /
Pachypodium = thick + foot)
palle- / palli- pale
(pallidus / pallidiflora = pale flower) (pallescens)
palm-
referring to a hand, a palm (usually leaf-shape) (palmata)
palustr-
 referring to a swamp, marsh (palustris)
-panax
referring to a plant in the Aralia family, usually the genus Panax, which
includes the Ginseng plant; panax comes from two Gr. words which mean
all- afflictions, and the sense was (at least for Karl Linnaeus) that ginseng
heals these diseases; (Oreopanax = mountain panax)
pandur-
referring to a fiddle (shape) (pandurata / panduriforme = fiddle-form /
pandurifolia = fiddle-shaped leaves)
panicul-
referring to a panicle (paniculatus)
pannos-
ragged, hairy (pannosa)
papaver-
referring to the poppy (papaveracea)
papyr-
referring to paper (Papyrus) (papyrifera paper-bearing)
papil-
referring to a butterfly (papilionaceus = like the pea-family whose individual
flowers are somewhat similar in form to a butterfly)
papill-
referring to nipples (papillosus)
paradis-
referring to gardens, paradise, parks (paradisiaca)
paradox-
unusual, strange, anomalous (paradoxus)
pard-
referring to a leopard (spotted) (pardalinus)
part-
referring to parts or a part (partitus)
parthen-
referring to a virgin, i.e., asexual reproduction (Parthenocissus = virgin's vine)
parv-
small (parviflora = small-flowered)
patagon-
referring to Argentina (patagoniensis)
patell-
referring to a disk (patellaris)
patens
spreading
patul-
spreading (patulus)
pauci-
few (pauciflora = few-flowered)
pavon-
referring to a peacock (pavonicus)
pectin-
referring to a comb, having teeth, finely-divided (pectinifera = comb-
bearing) (pectinatus)
pector-
referring to the breastbone (shape) (pectoralis)
ped-
referring to a foot (shape), or, by extension, a basal structure (pedicillatus =
having a stalk) often also mean palmate, which word, itself, refers not to a
foot but to a hand, as in a palmate leaf; (Pedilanthus = foot (shoe) flower),
one common name is Slipper Spurge (spurge is a general common name
applied to many plants in the Euphorbia Family) (pedatum)
pedunc-
referring to a peduncle (pedunculatus)
pelluc-
pellucid, having translucent dots/spots (pellucidus)
pelt-
peltate, stalk attached to the center, as opp. to the margin, from the Gr. for a
shield of some sort (peltophorum = bearing a shield)
pelvi-
referring to the pelvis (shape) (pelviformis)
pendul-
referring to an earring, hanging, drooping (penduliflora = hanging flowers /
pendula)
penn-
referring to a feather (pennatus)
penta-
referring to the number five (pentanthus = five-flowered)
per- / peri-
surrounding (perfoliata = leaf surrounding a stem)
peregrin-
foreign (peregrina)
perenn-
perennial (perennis)
persic-
 referring to Persia (Iran) (persica)
-persic(...)
referring to a peach (Lycopersicum ((the tomato)) = wolf-peach probably
because this fruit was originally believed to be deadly poisonsous)
perspic-
transparent, clear (perspicuus)
pertus-
perforated (pertusum)
-pes
referring to a foot or stalk (longipes = long-stalked)
petiol-
referring to a petiole, leaf stalk (petiolatus / petiolaris)
petr-
referring to rocks (Petrocallis = rock beauty) (petraea)
phaedr-
splendid (Phaedranthus = splendid flower)
phalae-
referring to a moth (Phalaenopsis = moth-like)
phaner-
obvious, open (phanerophlebia = conspicuously-veined)
phell-
referring to cork (Phellodendron = cork tree)
phil-
loving, desirous of (Philodendron = tree loving because they often grow
thereon)
-phil(...)
loving, desirous of (anemophilus = wind-loving)
-phleb(...)
referring to veins
-phloe(...)
referring to bark
phlog-
referring to a flame (Phlogacanthus = flame + thorn)
phoeni-
referring to the genus Phoenix or the color purple - (Phoenix is the date
palm genus) (phoenicolasius = purple hair)
pholid-
referring to a scale (Pholidocarpus = scaly fruit - a genus of palms)
-phor(...)
bearing, carrying (cladophora = branch-bearing)
phora-
referring to a thief (Phoradendron = thief of a tree - the mistletoe genus)
-phorb(...)
referring to food or fruit
phot-
referring to light, shining (Photinia, because of the glossy foliage)
phragm-
referring to a wall or fence or hedge
phryg-
referring to Asia Minor, Phrygian
phyl-
referring to leaves
phys-
referring to a bladder (Physalis; Physocarpus = bladder fruit)
-phyt(...)
referring to a plant (calophytum = beautiful plant)
pict-
painted, variegated (picta)
pil-
referring to a cap (Pilocarpus = cap-shaped fruit) (pileata)
pili-
referring to hairs (pilifera = hair-bearing)
pilos-
hairy (pilosus)
pilul-
referring to a globule (Pilularia = a little ball)
pini-
referring to a pine tree (pinicarpus = fruits like a pine cone)
pinn-
referring to a feather (pinnata)
pipt-
falling, descending (Pipturus = descending tail)
pisc-
referring to a fish (Piscidia = fish + kill - the Fish- Poison Tree of tropical
America)
pis-
referring to the genus Pisa, the Pea (pisifera = pea-bearing)
pit-
referring to pitch or resin (Pittosporum = resinous seed)
pithec-
 referring to a monkey, an ape (Pithecoctenium = monkey's comb)
placat-
calm (placatus)
plag-
referring to an oblique angle, sideways (Plagianthus = flowers at an angle)
plan-
flat (planifolia = flat-leaved / planatus / planipes = flat + foot, i.e., stalk)
platan-
referring to a plantain, or the Plane Tree genus, Platanus (platanoides)
platy-
broad, flat (Platycerium = flat horn - the stag-horn fern)
plect-
plaited (Plectocomia = plaited hair)
plectr-
referring to a spur (Plectranthus = spurred flower)
plei-
many (Pleiogynium = many female parts)
plen-
full (plenissimus= very full)
pleur-
referring to a side, or a cavity, or ribs (Pleurospermum = ribbed seed)
-plex
referring to trunks or stems (multiplex = many-trunked)
plicat-
folded, pleated (plicatus)
plum-
referring to a plume or feather (plumosus)
plumb-
referring to lead (the metal) (Plumbago, referring to the color of the flowers of
this genus)
pluri-
many (plurifolia = many-leaved)
pluv-
referring to rain (pluvialis)
pod-
referring to a stalk - or FOOT (Podocarpus = stalked fruit / podophyllus =
stalked leaf)
pogo-
referring to a beard (Pogostemon = bearded stamen)
-pogon
 referring to a beard (Andropogon = man/male + beard)
poli-
gray, white (poliofolia = gray-leaved / polifolia)
polit-
polished (polita)
poly-
many (polyanthemos = many-flowered)
pom-
referring to an apple - any fruit similar in shape to an apple (pomacea /
pomifera = apple-bearing)
ponderos-
ponderous (ponderosus)
popul-
referring to the poplar (shape) (populifolia = poplar- leaved / populnea)
porc-
referring to a pig (porcinus)
-potam(...)
referring to a river (megapotamicum = large river)
poten-
powerful (Potentilla = diminutive of potens, referring to the supposed
medicinal properties of this the Cinquefoil genus))
praecox
premature, early
praest-
noble, distinguished (praestans)
prasin-
referring to the color green (prasinus)
praten-
referring to a meadow (pratensis)
precator-
referring to prayer (precatorius)
premn-
referring to a tree (Epipremnum = growing on trees
prim-
prime, first (Primula, because of its early blooming in Spring)
primul-
referring to the genus Primula, the primrose (primulaceus / primuloides = like
Primula)
princ-
princely, of first (prime) quality (princeps)
probosc-
referring to a nose (proboscidea)
procer-
tall (procerum)
procumb-
lying down, procumbent, bending forwards (procumbens)
procur-
extended (procurrens)
propend-
hanging, drooping (propendens)
propinqu-
near, related (propinquus)
pruin-
having a bloom (referring to color and texture) (pruinosa)
prun-
referring to a plum, usually to the color (prunifolius = prune-leaved)
prur-
itch causing (pruriens)
pseud-
false (Pseudolarix = false Larch)
psit-
referring to a parrot (psittacinus)
pter-
referring to a wing (Pterocarya = winged nut; and Pteris, a genus of ferns)
(pteranthus = winged flower)
-pter(...)
referring to a wing - ALSO Gr. for a fern (tetraptera = four-winged) (the fern
appellation would seem to have come about via the resemblance of the
feather part of a wing in close-up to a fern frond -- fascinating, no?)
ptych-
referring to a fold, a wrikle (Ptychosperma = folded seed)
pub-
referring to down (hairs) (puberulatus pubigerus)
pudic-
shrinking, closing, modest (Mimosa pudica, so named because the pinnate
leaves fold up the leaflets at night or when touched)
pulchel-
beautiful (pulchellus)
pulchr-
beautiful (pulchra)
pulver-
powdery (pulverulenta)
pulvin-
referring to a cushion (pulvinatus)
pumil-
small, dwarf (pumila)
punctat-
dotted, spotted (punctatus / punctatissima = very much dotted)
pung-
sharp, pointed, pungent, piercing (pungens)
punic-
referring to Punica (Carthage/N.Afr.) Punica, the pome- granate, native to
that area OR the color reddish-purple (puniceus)
purpur-
referring to the color purple (purpurea)
-pus
referring to a foot (or basal structure, like a stalk) (leptopus = skinny-stalked /
brachypus = short-stalked)
pusil-
insignificant, obscure, small, dwarf (pusillus)
pycn-
thick, dense (Pycnanthemum = densely flowered) (pycnostachya = dense +
spike (flowers))
pygm-
pygmy, small, dwarf (pygmaea)
pyr-
referring to a pear, or actually any fruit - OR to FIRE (pyriformis = formed like
a pear) (Pyracantha = fire thorn)
pyren-
referring to grain (Pyrenacantha = grain + thorn)) HOWEVER, pyrenaicus
refers to the Pyrenees Mts. of France!

Roots of Botanical Names: Q

Back to Index
quadr-
 referring to the number four (quadrangularis = four-angled / quadriaurita =
four-eared)
querc-
referring to the oak (quercifolia = leaves like an oak)
quin-
referring to the number five (quinquifolius = five- leaved / quinatus)

Roots of Botanical Names: R

Back to Index
racem-
referring to a raceme (racemosa)
radic-
referring to a root (Radicula = little root) (radicans usually means that the
plant tends to root from its stem)
radio- / radia-
rayed, radiate (radiatus)
ramos-
referring to branches (ramosus / ramosissima = very- branched)
ran-
referring to a frog (Ranunculus = little frog, because most of the species
grow where frogs live, i.e., marshes, ponds)
raph- / rhap- / rhaph-
referring to a needle (Rhapidophyllum, a palm genus, = needle-leaf)
reclin-
reclined, bent backwards (reclinatum)
recurv-
recurved (recurvatus)
rediviv-
restored, revived (rediviva)
refulg-
bright (refulgens)
regal-
regal (regalis)
regin-
referring to a queen (regina)
regl-
 referring to a standard or model (paradigm) (regla)
reni-
referring to a kidney (reniform)
rep-
creeping (repens reptans repanda)
resect-
cut off, curtailed (resectus)
reticul-
reticulated, referring to a net, net-veined (reticulata)
retor-
twisted back (retortus)
retro-
backwards (retroflexus = bent backwards)
retus-
notched (retusus)
rex / reg-
referring to a king, royal (regalis)
rhamn-
referring to the genus Rhamnus, the buckthorn
rhiz-
referring to a root (Acanthorrhiza = thorny root)
rhod-
referring to the color red/rose (Rhododendron = rose + tree) (rhodantha =
red-flowered)
rhomb-
rhomboid, (rhomboideus / rhombifolia = rhomboid-shaped leaves)
rhop-
referring to a club (shape) (Rhopalostyle = club-shaped flower style)
rhync-
referring to a nose or snout (Rhynchanthus = snout- shaped flower)
rhyt-
referring to a fold, a wrinkle (Rhytiglossa = wrinkled tongue / rhytidophyllum
= wrinkled leaf)
ricin-
referring to the genus Ricinus, the castor-oil tree (ricinifolia)
ringens
referring to a hole
ripa-
referring to the banks of a river (riparia)
rivu- / riva-
 referring to rivers, streams (rivularis / rivale / rivalis)
robust-
robust (robusta)
-rops
referring to a bush (Chamaerops = dwarf bush)
rose-
referring to the color rose (what else?!?) (rosea)
rostr-
referring to a beak (shape) (rostratus)
rotund-
round (rotundifolia = round-leafed)
rube-
referring to the color red (rubella)
rubig-
referring to rust (color) (rubiginosa)
rub- / rubr-
referring to the color red (rubens / rubra)
ruf-
referring to the color red (rufescens / rufida)
rug-
wrinkled (rugosa)
-rump(...)
referring to a rupture, a break (erumpens = breaking out of)
rup-
referring to rocks (rupicola = cliff-dwelling) (rupestris)
rut-
referring to the color red (rutilans)

Roots of Botanical Names: S

Back to Index
sacc-
referring to a bag (saccifera = sac-bearing)
sacchar-
referring to sugar (Saccharum, the sugar cane genus)
sagit-
referring to an arrow (sagittarius)
salic- / salig-
referring to the genus Salix, the willow (salignifolia = willow-leaved /
salicifolia)
sal-
referring to salt (salinus / salicolus)
salp-
referring to a tube (Salpiglossis = tube + tongue)
salv-
referring to helping, saving, healing (Salvia, from the medicinal properties of
some species of this the Sage genus)
sambuc-
referring to the genus, Sambucus, the elderberry (sambucoides = like
Sambucus)
sanct-
holy, revered (sanctum)
sang-
referring to blood (Sanguinaria, the Blood-Root)
sapid-
tasty (sapidus)
sapien-
referring to ancient wise men/writers/sages (sapientia)
sap-
referring to soap (Sapindus = soap + India)
sarco-
referring to flesh (sarcomentum / sarcodes)
sarment-
referring to runners (sarmentosa)
sativ-
referring to cultivation (sativa)
saur-
referring to a lizard (Saururus = liazrd's tail)
sax-
referring to a rock (Saxifraga = rock-breaker / saxicolus / saxosus / saxatilis /
saxorum)
scal-
referring to a ladder (scalaris)
scand-
climbing (scandens)
scap-
referring to a scape (scaposa)
scaph-
referring to a boat (Scaphosepalum = boat + sepal)
schiz- / schis-
cut, divided, split (schizophylla = cleft leaves)
scia-
referring to an umbrella, shade (Sciadophyllum)
-scia(...)
referring to an umbrella (Polyscias = many umbrellas, referring to the large
and abundant foliage of this genus)
scirp-
referring to the genus Scirpus, the bulrush (scirpoides)
scler-
hard (sclerocarpus = hard fruit)
scopul-
referring to a cliff (scopulorum = of the cliffs)
scorp-
referring to a scorpion, a coiled structure (scorpioides)
scut-
referring to a salver or dish or shield (shape) (Scutellaria) (scutatum)
seb-
referring to wax, tallow (sebiferum)
-sect(...)
cut (pinnatisect = pinnately cut)
secund-
referring to a side (secundiflora = flowers on one side)
sed-
sedentary (Sedum)
selen-
referring to the moon (Selenicereus = moon cactus, because it's night-
blooming)
semi-
semi, half (Semiarundinaria something like a reed, a genus of bamboo)
semper-
always (sempervirens = evergreen / Sempervivum = living for ever))
senil-
old, white-haired (senilis)
sept-
referring to the number seven (septangularia = seven- angled)
seric-
referring to silk (sericeus / sericofera = silk-bearing)
serotin-
late, autumnal (serotina)
serpent-
referring to a snake (serpentarius / serpentinus)
serra-
referring to a saw (serratus / serrula / serrulata)
sesqui-
referring to the number one and 1/2
sessil-
unstalked, sessile (sessilis / sessiliflora = unstalked/ peduncled flowers /
sessilifolia = unstalked/ petioled leaves)
seta- / seti-
referring to a bristle (setigera / setacea)
sibir-
referring to Siberia (siberiacus)
sider-
referring to iron (Sideroxylon = iron wood)
-sider(...)
referring to iron (Metrosideros = heart of iron)
sikkim-
referring to N. India (sillimensis)
silic-
referring to sand (siliceus)
silv-
referring to the woods (silvaticus)
simpl-
simple (simplex)
sinensis
native to China
sino-
referring to China
sinu-
sinuous, wavy (sinuata)
-siphon
referring to a tube (Orthosiphon = straight tube usually a flower part)
smilac-
referring to the genus Smilax, Greenbriar
sobol-
referring to offspring (sobolifera = bearing offspring, usually meaning
'runners')
solar-
referring to the sun (solaris)
solen-
referring to a tube (Solenanthus = tube + flower)
-som(...)
referring to the body, the corporeal entity (xanthosoma = yellow body)
somn-
referring to sleep (somniferum = sleep-producing - cf. Papaver somniferum,
the opium poppy)
sordid-
dirty, not pure (in appearance) (sordidus)
spath-
referring to a spoon (shape) (Spathiphyllum = leaf-like spathe)
spatu-
referring to a spoon / spatula (shape)
specul-
referring to a mirror (Specularia, Venus's Looking Glass) (speculum)
specios-
showy, spectacular (speciosum)
specta-
spectacular (spectandus)
-sperm(...)
referring to a seed (Dictyosperma = seed with network- markings)
sphaer-
referring to a sphere (sphaerocephala = round-headed)
spic-
referring to a spike (of flowers) (spicatus spicant / spiculifolia = spiked leaf)
spin-
referring to a spine (spinosa / spina-christi = Christ- thorn)
spir-
referring to a spiral (Spiranthes = spiral flowers (inflo- rescence), an orchid)
splend-
splendid (splendida)
-spor(...)
referring to a seed or spore (Hymenospora = mambraneous seed)
spum-
referring to spume or froth (spumaria)
spur-
false (spurius)
squal-
 dirty (color) (squalens squalida))
squam-
referring to scales (squamosa / squamata / squamigera)
squarr-
spreading (squarrosa)
-stachy(...)
referring to a spike (of flowers) (Acanthostachys = thorny flower spike)
stans
standing, upright
-staphy(...)
referring to a cluster of grapes (Arctostaphylos = bear + grapes, alluding to
the fact that bears love to eat the fruit; one of the species of this genus is
uva-ursi, meaning grape + bear)
stell-
referring to a star (stellatus)
-stem(...)
referring to stamens (Pentstemon> = five stamens)
sten-
narrow (Stenocarpu = narrow fruit)
steph-
referring to a crown (Stephanandra = crown + anthers)
-steph(...)
referring to a crown (macrostephana = large crown)
-stich(...)
referring to a row (Polystichum many rows (of spore cases on this fern
genus))
-stict(...)
referring to spots or glands (chlorosticta = green-spotted)
stigm-
marked (stigmatus)
stipul-
referring to a stipule (stipulata)
stolon-
referring to runners (stolonifera = bearing runners)
-stom(...)
referring to a mouth
stram-
referring to straw (color) (stramineus)
strepto-
twisted (streptophullus = twisted-leaved)
striat-
striped (striatus; viridistriata = green-striped)
strict-
erect, rigid, upright, stiff (stricta)
strig-
referring to stiff hairs or bristles (strigosa / strigillosa)
strob-
referring to a cone (e.g., of a pine) (strobilifera = cone-bearing / strobus /
strobilacea / strobilanthes = cone + flower)
strum-
referring to a tumor (strumatus)
styra-
referring to gum (styraciflua = flowing with gum)
suav-
sweet, fragrant (suaveolens)
sub-
somewhat, under, almost, not-quite -- often elided as in suffruticosa, a
combining-form of sub and fruticosa = sub-shrubby (subhirtella =
somewhat hairy)
suber-
referring to cork (suberosus)
subul-
referring to an awl (shape) (subulata)
suffr-
referring to a shrub (suffruticosa = somewhat shrubby)
sulc-
referring to a furrow (sulcatus)
supin-
prostrate (supinus)
sylv-
referring to forests (sylvatica)
sym- / syn-
together, united (Symphoricarpos = together + to bear + fruit, referring to
the clustered fruit)

Roots of Botanical Names: T

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tabul-
referring to a tablet, therefore flat (shape) (tabuliformis)
tard-
late (tardiflora = late-flowering)
tartar-
referring to Central Asia (tartaricus)
taur-
referring to a bull (taurinus)
taxi-
referring to the genus, Taxa, the Yew (taxifolius = Yew-like leaves)
tect-
referring to a roof (tectorum)
tenax
tenacious
tenebr-
referring to shadows (tenebrosus)
tenell-
small, delicate (tenella)
tenui-
slender, thin (tenuifolia = thin-leaved)
teret-
circular, cylindrical (teretiformis - in the form of a cylinder)
terebinth-
referring to turpentine (usually the smell) (terebenthifolia = leaves with a
turpentine-like odor)
tern-
referring to the number three (ternata / ternifolia = three-leaved)
terr-
referring to (the) earth (terrestris)
tessel-
tessellate (a squared pattern) (tessellata)
testud-
referring to a tortoise (testudinaria = like a tortoise shell))
tetra-
referring to the number four (tetragonus = four-angled)
-thal(...)
referring to a branch (Pleurothallis = side branch)
-thamn(...)
 referring to a plant, a bush (Rhodothamnus = red plant)
-thec(...)
referring to a sheath (microthecum = small sheath)
therm-
referring to heat, hot springs (thermalis)
thyrs-
referring to a flower cluster (+ or - pyramid-shaped) (thyrsoidea)
tigr-
referring to a tiger (striped) (tigrinus)
til-
referring to the genus Tilia, the Linden tree (tilioides)
tinct-
referring to a dye (tinctoria)
tomentos-
pubescent (tomentosum)
tort-
twisted (tortilus)
toxi-
referring to a poison (Toxicodendron = poison tree)
trachy-
rough (Trachycarpus = rough fruit)
tremul-
trembling, (tremuloides)
tri-
referring to the number three (Trifolium = three leaves, the Clover genus)
trich-
referring to a hair (tricholepis = hairy scale)
trist-
sad, bitter (usually referring to color, or shape, like somber color, or
drooping) (tristus / triste)
triti-
referring to the wheat plant (triticina)
trivi-
common, frequent (trivialis)
-trop(...)
turning towards (Heliotropium = turning towards the sun) (also can refer to a
keel)
tuberc-
referring to referring to small tuber-like protruberances
tubi-
 referring to tube (shape) (tubiflora)
tumid-
swollen (tumidus)
tunic-
referring to a tunic, i.e., covered (tunica / tunicata)
turbin-
shaped like a top (turbinatus)
typh-
smokey, dull (typhina)

Roots of Botanical Names: U

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ulm-
referring to the genus Ulmus, the elm (ulmifolia = elm-shpaed leaves)
(ulmoides = elm-like)
umbel-
referring to umbels (umbellifera = bearing umbels) - an umbel is a flower
cluster generally in the form of an umbrella, i.e., the flowers radiate from a
central point
umbrac-
referring to an umbrella (shade) (umbraculifera = umbrella-bearing)
unc-
referring to a hook or spine (uncinatus / biuncifera = bearing two-pronged
spines)
und-
referring to a wave (undulatus)
ung-
referring to a claw (unguis-cati = cat-clawed) (unguiculatus)
uni-
referring to the number one (uniflora = single-flowered)
urceolat-
referring to an urn (shape) (urceolatus)
uren-
burning, stinging (urens)
-ur(...)
 referring to a tail (Leonurus = lion's tail)
urs-
referring to a bear (ursina)
usn-
referring to the genus Usnea, a lichen (usneoides, - the specific name of
Tillandsia usneoides, the Spanish Moss)
util-
useful (utilis)
utric-
inflated (utriculata)
uva- / uvi-
referring to a grape (uvifera = grape-bearing / uva- vulpis = fox + grape)

Roots of Botanical Names: V

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vagans
wandering, erratic
valid- / valer-
strong, true (validus) (Valeriana = strong, referring to the medicinal uses of
Valerian)
vari-
variable, various (variatus)
variegat-
variegated (variegata)
velut-
velvety (velutina)
venos-
referring to a vein (venosus)
ventr-
unevenly swollen (ventricosa)
venust-
beautiful (venustus)
vermi-
referring to a worm, spiral form (vermiculatus)
vern-
referring to Spring, vernal (vernalis vernus)
vernic-
referring to varnish (vernicosa)
verruc-
verrucose, warty (verrucosus / verruculosa)
versi-
various(ly) (versiflora = variously-flowered)
vertic-
referring to a whorl (verticillatus)
verus (vera)
genuine, true
vesicul-
referring to vessicles, bladders (vesicularis)
vesper-
referring to the evening - also western (vespertillus vesperinus)
vesti-
clothed, covered (usually with hairs) (vestitus)
villos-
hairy (villosum)
vimin-
referring to a wicker, therefore, long, pliable branches (viminalis)
vin-
referring to wine (vinifera = wine-bearing)
viol-
referring to the genus Viola or the color violet - (violaceus = partaking of the
color violet)
vires-
referring to the color green (virescens)
virgat-
referring to a twig (wand) (virgatus)
virgin-
referring to a virgin - usually meanig white (virginalis)
virid-
referring to the color green (viridiflora = green-flowers)
visc-
sticky (Malvaviscus = sticky mallow) (viscaria)
viti-
referring to a grape (vitifolia = leaves like a grape)
vitta-
striped (vittatus)
volub-
 twining (volubilis)
vulg-
common (vulgaris)
vulp-
referring to a fox (vulpina)

Roots of Botanical Names: X

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xanth-
referring to the color yellow (xanthocarpus = yellow-fruited / xanthinus)
xer-
dry (xerocarpa = dry-fruited) (Xeranthemum = dry flower)
xiph-
referring to a sword (xiphioides)
xyl-
referring to wood (Xylobium = wood + life, referring to the epiphytic habit
of these orchids)

Roots of Botanical Names: Z

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zebr-
referring to a zebra (striped) (zebrina)
zeylan-
referring to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) (zeylanica)
zona-
referring to a zone, a band (color/shape) (zonatus / zonale)
zyg-
united (Zygopetalum = united petals, an orchid) (Zygadenus = united
(paired) glands)