List of plant genus names with etymologies (Q–Z)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Tigridia (from Latin for "tiger")

Since the first printing of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plants have been assigned one epithet or name for their species and one name for their genus, a grouping of related species.[1] Many of these plants are listed in 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.[2][3]

The first column below contains seed-bearing genera from Stearn and other sources as listed, excluding names with missing derivations and those names that no longer appear in more modern works, such as Plants of the World by Maarten J. M. Christenhusz (lead author), Michael F. Fay and Mark W. Chase.[4] Plants of the World is also used for the family and order classification for each genus. The second column gives a meaning or derivation of the word, such as a language of origin. The last two columns indicate additional citations.

Key[edit]

Latin: = derived from Latin (otherwise Greek, except as noted)
Ba = listed in Ross Bayton's The Gardener's Botanical[5]
Bu = listed in Lotte Burkhardt's Index of Eponymic Plant Names[6]
CS = listed in both Allen Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names[7] and Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners
G = listed in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants[8]
St = listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners

Genera[edit]

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Ranunculus[a]
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Raphia
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Rhaphithamnus
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Rhipsalis
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Rhodochiton
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Rhododendron
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Rhodospatha
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Rhodothamnus
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Rhynchosia
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Rotala
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Rubia illustration
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Sagittaria
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Salpichroa
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Salpiglossis
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Salsola
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Sarcococca
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Saxifraga
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Scadoxus
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Schizanthus
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Schizopetalon
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Scleranthus
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Sclerocactus
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Sedum
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Senecio
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Serratula
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Setaria
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Siphocampylus
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Sparganium
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Spathiphyllum
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Spathoglottis
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Spiranthes
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Stellaria
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Stenocarpus
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Stenoglottis
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Stictocardia
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Strophanthus
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Symphoricarpos
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Telopea
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Thelocactus
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Thysanotus
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Trichodiadema
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Trichosanthes
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Tricyrtis
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Trifolium
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Trillium
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Trochodendron
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Tulipa
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Umbilicus
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Utricularia
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Uvaria
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Vicia
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Xanthisma
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Xanthoceras
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Zygopetalum
Genera
Genus[b] Meaning or derivation Family[4] Order[4] Ref G
Quercus Latin name[c] Fagaceae Fagales CS G
Quillaja Chilean name[4] Quillajaceae Fabales St G
Ranunculus Latin: little frog (some species are aquatic)[4] Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Raphanus Greek and Latin name Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Raphia needle (the fruit) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Ravenala Malagasy name Strelitziaceae Zingiberales St G
Renanthera kidney anther (the kidney-shaped pollen-masses) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Reseda Latin name[4] Resedaceae Brassicales St G
Restio Latin: rope-maker Restionaceae Poales Ba G
Retama Arabic name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Rhabdothamnus rod (twiggy) bush Gesneriaceae Lamiales St G
Rhamnus Greek and Latin name[4] Rhamnaceae Rosales CS G
Rhaphidophora needle-bearing (the fruit) Araceae Alismatales St G
Rhaphiolepis needle scale (the bracteoles). Previously Raphiolepis. Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Rhaphithamnus needle bush (the spines) Verbenaceae Lamiales St G
Rhapidophyllum needle leaf (the spines at the base) Arecaceae Arecales St
Rhapis needle (the leaf segments) Arecaceae Arecales CS G
Rheum Greek name Polygonaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Rhexia Latin name Melastomataceae Myrtales St G
Rhinanthus nose flowers Orobanchaceae Lamiales Ba G
Rhipsalis wicker Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Rhodanthe rose-red flowers Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Rhodanthemum rose-red flowers Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Rhodiola little rose Crassulaceae Saxifragales CS G
Rhodochiton rose-red cloak (the red calyx) Plantaginaceae Lamiales CS G
Rhodocoma rose-red hair Restionaceae Poales Ba
Rhododendron rose-red tree. Greek and Latin name. Ericaceae Ericales CS G
Rhodohypoxis rose-red Hypoxis Hypoxidaceae Asparagales CS G
Rhodomyrtus rose-red myrtle Myrtaceae Myrtales St
Rhodospatha rose-red spathe Araceae Alismatales St
Rhodothamnus rose-red shrub (the flowers) Ericaceae Ericales St G
Rhodotypos rose-red type (the flowers) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Rhoicissus from Latin and Greek names Vitaceae Vitales St G
Rhombophyllum rhomboid leaves Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Rhopalostylis club pillar (the spadix) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Rhus Greek and Latin name Anacardiaceae Sapindales CS G
Rhynchelytrum beak husk (on the flowers) Poaceae Poales St G
Rhyncholaelia snout Laelia Orchidaceae Asparagales Ba
Rhynchosia beak (the lower petals) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Rhynchostylis beak pillar (the column of the flowers) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Ribes Arabic: acidic (the fruit). Arabic name. Grossulariaceae Saxifragales CS G
Ricinus Latin: tick (the seeds) Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales CS G
Ripogonum wicker knees (the many joints on the tangled stalks). Previously Rhipogonum.[4] Ripogonaceae Liliales St G
Robinsonia Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe[d] Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Rockinghamia Rockingham Bay in Queensland, Australia Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales Bu
Romulea Romulus of mythology Iridaceae Asparagales St G
Rorippa German name Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Rosa Latin name[4] Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Rosselia Rossel Island of Papua New Guinea Burseraceae Sapindales Bu
Rosularia little rosettes Crassulaceae Saxifragales Ba G
Rotala wheel-like (the whorls of leaves) Lythraceae Myrtales St
Roupala Guyanese name Proteaceae Proteales St
Rubia Latin: red (the roots, used in dyeing)[4] Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Rubus Latin name Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Rumex Latin name Polygonaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Ruscus Latin name Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Ruta Latin name[4] Rutaceae Sapindales CS G
Sabal South American name Arecaceae Arecales St G
Sabazia epithet of the god Dionysus Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Saccharum sugar Poaceae Poales CS G
Saccolabium baggy lip Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Sagina Latin: fodder Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Sagittaria arrow (the leaves) Alismataceae Alismatales CS G
Salacia Salacia, a goddess Celastraceae Celastrales Bu
Salicornia Latin: salt (-marsh) horn (the branches) Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales St G
Salix Latin name[4] Salicaceae Malpighiales CS G
Salpichroa trumpet + colour (the flowers) Solanaceae Solanales St G
Salpiglossis trumpet tongue (the style) Solanaceae Solanales St G
Salsola Latin: salt (the habitat) Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales St G
Salvia Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Samanea South American name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Sambucus Latin name Adoxaceae Dipsacales CS G
Samolus Latin name Primulaceae Ericales St G
Sanguinaria Latin: blood (the sap) Papaveraceae Ranunculales CS G
Sanguisorba Latin: blood-absorbing (the styptic roots) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Sanicula Latin: little healer Apiaceae Apiales Ba G
Santalum Greek and Latin name[4] Santalaceae Santalales St G
Santolina Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Sapindus Latin: soap of India Sapindaceae Sapindales St G
Sapium Latin name Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales St G
Saponaria Latin: soap Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Saraca East Indian name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Sarcocaulon fleshy stems Geraniaceae Geraniales St
Sarcochilus fleshy lips Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Sarcococca fleshy berries Buxaceae Buxales CS G
Sarcostemma fleshy garland Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Saruma anagram of Asarum Aristolochiaceae Piperales Ba
Sasa Japanese name Poaceae Poales CS G
Sassafras Spanish name Lauraceae Laurales St G
Satureja Latin name, from Arabic Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Satyria satyrs, mythological creatures Ericaceae Ericales Bu
Satyrium Greek name; also from satyrs, mythological creatures Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu G
Sauromatum lizard Araceae Alismatales St G
Saururus lizard tail[4] Saururaceae Piperales St G
Saxifraga Latin: stone-breaking[4] Saxifragaceae Saxifragales CS G
Scabiosa itching Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales CS G
Scadoxus umbel glory Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Schima shade Theaceae Ericales Ba G
Schinus Greek and Latin name Anacardiaceae Sapindales St G
Schisandra divided male parts (the anthers)[4] Schisandraceae Austrobaileyales CS G
Schismatoglottis divided tongue (the spathes) Araceae Alismatales St
Schizachyrium split chaff Poaceae Poales Ba G
Schizanthus divided flowers Solanaceae Solanales St G
Schizocodon divided bell (the corollas) Diapensiaceae Ericales St
Schizolobium divided lobe (the pods) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Schizopetalon divided petals Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Schizophragma divided wall (the septa in the fruit) Hydrangeaceae Cornales CS G
Sciadopitys umbel or parasol + pine or fir (the leaves)[4] Sciadopityaceae Pinales CS G
Scilla Greek and Latin name Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Scindapsus Greek name Araceae Alismatales St G
Scirpus Latin name Cyperaceae Poales CS G
Scleranthus hard flowers Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales St G
Sclerocactus harsh cactus (the spines) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St
Scoliopus bent (the flower stalks) Liliaceae Liliales St G
Scolopia thorn Salicaceae Malpighiales Bu
Scolymus Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Scopelogena high cliffs (the habitat) Aizoaceae Caryophyllales Bu
Scorpiurus scorpion tail (the pods) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Scorzonera Old French and Italian derivation Asteraceae Asterales St G
Scrophularia Latin: scrofula[4] Scrophulariaceae Lamiales CS G
Scutellaria Latin: saucer (on the fruiting calyx) Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Scuticaria Latin: whip (the leaves) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Scyphanthus beaker flowers Loasaceae Cornales St G
Scyphostegia beaker cover Salicaceae Malpighiales St
Secale Latin name Poaceae Poales St G
Sechium from a West Indian name Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St G
Securidaca Latin: axe (on the end of the pods) Polygalaceae Fabales St G
Securigera Latin: axe-bearing (the pods are axe-shaped) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Sedum Latin: sitting (on rocks and walls). Latin name. Crassulaceae Saxifragales CS G
Selago Latin name Scrophulariaceae Lamiales Ba G
Selenia Selene, a moon goddess Brassicaceae Brassicales Bu
Selenicereus moon (night-blooming) Cereus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Selenipedium moon sandal (the lip of the flowers) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Selinum Greek name Apiaceae Apiales Ba G
Semele Semele of mythology Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Semiaquilegia Latin: half Aquilegia Ranunculaceae Ranunculales Ba G
Semiarundinaria Latin: half Arundinaria Poaceae Poales Ba G
Sempervivum Latin: ever-living. Latin name. Crassulaceae Saxifragales CS G
Senecio Latin: old man (the whitish hairs on the fruit) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Senna Arabic name Fabaceae Fabales Ba G
Serapias Serapis of mythology Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Sericocarpus silky fruit Asteraceae Asterales St G
Serissa East Indian name Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Serratula Latin: little saw (the leaf edges) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Sesamum Greek and Latin name, from a Semitic name Pedaliaceae Lamiales St G
Sesbania from an Arabic name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Seseli Greek and Latin name Apiaceae Apiales St G
Setaria bristles (on the spikelet) Poaceae Poales CS G
Sibiraea Siberia Rosaceae Rosales St G
Sicana from a Peruvian name Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St
Sicyos Greek and Latin name Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St G
Sida Greek name Malvaceae Malvales St G
Sidalcea from Sida and Alcea Malvaceae Malvales CS G
Siderasis rusty fur (the reddish hair) Commelinaceae Commelinales St
Sideritis Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Sideroxylon iron wood Sapotaceae Ericales St G
Siegfriedia Siegfried, a legendary hero Rhamnaceae Rosales Bu
Silene Greek name Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Silphium Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Silybum Greek name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Simethis Symaethis, one of the Naiads of Greek myth. Also Symethus. Asphodelaceae Asparagales St G
Sinapis Latin name Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Sinobambusa Chinese Bambusa Poaceae Poales Ba G
Sinomenium Chinese moon (the curved fruit-stone) Menispermaceae Ranunculales St G
Siphocampylus tubes bending (the corollas) Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Sisymbrium Greek and Latin name Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Sisyrinchium Greek name Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Sium Greek name Apiaceae Apiales St G
Skimmia from a Japanese name Rutaceae Sapindales CS G
Smilax Greek and Latin name[4] Smilacaceae Liliales CS G
Smyrnium myrrh-scented Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Solanum Latin name[4] Solanaceae Solanales CS G
Soldanella little coin, probably (the leaves) Primulaceae Ericales St G
Solidago Latin: making whole (for supposed healing properties) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Sonchus Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Sonerila Malabar name Melastomataceae Myrtales St
Sophora from an Arabic name Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Sorbaria Sorbus-like Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Sorbus Latin name Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Sorghum from an Italian name Poaceae Poales St G
Sparaxis torn (spathes) Iridaceae Asparagales St G
Sparganium ribbon (the leaves). Greek and Latin name. Typhaceae Poales CS G
Spartium Greek name Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Spathiphyllum spathe leaves Araceae Alismatales CS G
Spathodea spathe-like (calyx) Bignoniaceae Lamiales St G
Spathoglottis spathe tongue (the lip) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Speirantha spiral flowers Asparagaceae Asparagales Ba G
Sphaeralcea globe (the fruit) + Alcea Malvaceae Malvales CS G
Spilanthes dotted flowers (dotted with pollen) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Spinacia from an Arabic and Persian name Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Spiraea Greek and Latin name Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Spiranthes spiral flowers Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Spondias Greek name Anacardiaceae Sapindales St G
Spyridium basket-like (calyx) Rhamnaceae Rosales St
Stachys Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Stachytarpheta spike thicket Verbenaceae Lamiales St G
Stachyurus spike tail (the inflorescences)[4] Stachyuraceae Crossosomatales CS G
Staphylea clusters (of flowers)[4] Staphyleaceae Crossosomatales CS G
Stelis Greek name Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Stellaria Latin: star (the flowers) Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales St G
Stenandrium narrow male parts (the stamens) Acanthaceae Lamiales St
Stenanthium narrow flower (sepals and petals) Melanthiaceae Liliales St G
Stenocactus narrow cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales Ba
Stenocarpus narrow fruit Proteaceae Proteales St G
Stenocereus narrow Cereus Cactaceae Caryophyllales Ba
Stenoglottis narrow (lip) tongue Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Stenospermation narrow seedlet Araceae Alismatales St
Stenotaphrum narrow trench (on the stalks) Poaceae Poales St G
Stephanotis Greek name Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Sterculia Sterquilinus of mythology Malvaceae Malvales St G
Stictocardia spotted heart (-shaped leaves) Convolvulaceae Solanales St G
Stigmaphyllon stigma leaves Malpighiaceae Malpighiales St G
Stipa coarse fiber[e] Poaceae Poales CS G
Stomatium mouth Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Stratiotes Greek and Latin name Hydrocharitaceae Alismatales St G
Streptocarpus twisted fruit Gesneriaceae Lamiales CS G
Streptopus twisted stalks Liliaceae Liliales St G
Streptosolen twisted (corolla) tubes Solanaceae Solanales St G
Strobilanthes cone of flowers Acanthaceae Lamiales CS G
Stromanthe bed of flowers (the inflorescences) Marantaceae Zingiberales St G
Strombocactus spinning-top cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Strongylodon rounded (calyx) teeth Fabaceae Fabales St
Strophanthus cord flowers Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Strychnos Greek and Latin name Loganiaceae Gentianales St G
Stylidium little pillar (the style and stamens form a column)[4] Stylidiaceae Asterales St G
Stylophorum style-bearing Papaveraceae Ranunculales St G
Styphnolobium harsh pod Fabaceae Fabales Ba G
Styrax Greek and Latin name, from an Arabic name[4] Styracaceae Ericales CS G
Succisa truncated (the rhizome) Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales CS G
Swida Czech name Cornaceae Cornales St
Syagrus Latin name Arecaceae Arecales Ba G
Sycopsis fig-like (the leaves) Hamamelidaceae Saxifragales CS G
Symphoricarpos clusters bearing fruit Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales CS G
Symphyotrichum joined hairs Asteraceae Asterales Ba
Symphytum Greek and Latin name Boraginaceae Boraginales CS G
Symplocarpus combination fruit (the ovaries grow together) Araceae Alismatales St G
Symplocos combination (the unified stamens)[4] Symplocaceae Ericales St G
Synechanthus continuous flowers Arecaceae Arecales St
Syneilesis rolling up Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Syngonium united gonads (the ovaries) Araceae Alismatales St G
Syringa pipe (the stems) Oleaceae Lamiales CS G
Syzygium joined Myrtaceae Myrtales St G
Tabebuia Brazilian name Bignoniaceae Lamiales St G
Tacca from an Indonesian name Dioscoreaceae Dioscoreales St G
Tagetes Tages of mythology Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Taiwania Taiwan Cupressaceae Pinales St G
Talinum (unclear) Talinaceae Caryophyllales Ba G
Tamarindus from an Arabic name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Tamarix Latin name[4] Tamaricaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Tanacetum from a Medieval Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Tapeinochilos short lip Costaceae Zingiberales St G
Taraxacum from an Arabic and Persian name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Taxodium Taxus-like Cupressaceae Pinales CS G
Taxus Latin name[4] Taxaceae Pinales CS G
Tecoma from a Nahuatl name Bignoniaceae Lamiales CS G
Tectona from a Tamil name Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Telephium Latin name; also from Telephus, a mythological king Molluginaceae Caryophyllales Bu G
Tellima anagram of Mitella Saxifragaceae Saxifragales CS G
Telopea distant viewing (the flowers) Proteaceae Proteales CS G
Telosma distant scent Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Tephrosia ashen (the leaves) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Terminalia Latin: terminal (the leaves are at the end of the shoots) Combretaceae Myrtales St G
Tetracentron four spurs (on the fruit) Trochodendraceae Trochodendrales St G
Tetraclinis four + bed (of leaves) Cupressaceae Pinales St G
Tetradium foursome Rutaceae Sapindales Ba G
Tetragonia four-angled (fruit) Aizoaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Tetragonolobus four-angled pods Fabaceae Fabales St G
Tetranema four threads (the stamens) Plantaginaceae Lamiales St G
Tetrapanax four (-petalled) Panax Araliaceae Apiales CS G
Tetrastigma four-part stigma Vitaceae Vitales Ba G
Tetratheca four boxes (the anthers) Elaeocarpaceae Oxalidales St G
Teucrium Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Thalassia Thalassa, a sea divinity Hydrocharitaceae Alismatales Bu G
Thalassodendron Thalassa (a sea divinity) + tree Cymodoceaceae Alismatales Bu G
Thalictrum Greek and Latin name Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Thamnocalamus shrubby reed Poaceae Poales Ba G
Thaumasianthes Thaumas, a god Loranthaceae Santalales Bu G
Thelesperma nippled seeds Asteraceae Asterales St G
Thelocactus nippled cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Theobroma god food Malvaceae Malvales St G
Thermopsis lupin-like Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Thesium Latin name Santalaceae Santalales Bu G
Thespesia holy Malvaceae Malvales St G
Thladiantha eunuch (staminode) flowers Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St G
Thlaspi Greek and Latin name Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Thrinax trident Arecaceae Arecales St G
Thuja Greek name Cupressaceae Pinales CS G
Thujopsis Thuja-like Cupressaceae Pinales CS G
Thymus Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Thysanotus fringed (flowers) Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Tiarella little crown (the fruit) Saxifragaceae Saxifragales CS G
Tibouchina from a Guianese name Melastomataceae Myrtales St G
Tigridia Latin: tiger (flowers) Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Tilia Latin name Malvaceae Malvales CS G
Tipuana from a South American name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Titanopsis Titan (Helios) of mythology Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Tithonia Tithonus Asteraceae Asterales St G
Tococa Guyanese name Melastomataceae Myrtales St G
Tolumnia Tolumnia, a nymph Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu G
Toona Sanskrit name Meliaceae Sapindales Ba G
Trachelium neck Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Trachelospermum neck (-shaped) seeds Apocynaceae Gentianales CS G
Trachycarpus rough fruit Arecaceae Arecales CS G
Trachymene rough membrane (on the fruits) Apiaceae Apiales St G
Trachystemon rough stamens Boraginaceae Boraginales CS G
Tragopogon goat beard (the silk) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Trapa Latin: from caltrop (the four-pointed fruit) Lythraceae Myrtales St G
Trichilia three-part (ovary) Meliaceae Sapindales St G
Trichodiadema hairy crowns Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Tricholaena hairy cloak (on the spikelets) Poaceae Poales St G
Trichopilia hairy cap (on the anthers) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Trichosanthes hairy (fringed) flowers Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St G
Trichostema hair-like stamens Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Tricyrtis three swellings (the red nectaries below the petals) Liliaceae Liliales CS G
Tridax Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Trifolium three leaflets. Latin name. Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Trigonella little three-cornered (flowers) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Trilisa anagram of Liatris Asteraceae Asterales St G
Trillium three (-leaved) Lilium Melanthiaceae Liliales CS G
Triosteum three bones (the hard seeds) Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales St G
Triphasia triple (the flower parts) Rutaceae Sapindales St G
Triplaris triple (the flower parts) Polygonaceae Caryophyllales St G
Tripleurospermum three-ribbed seeds (the achenes) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Tripogandra three bearded male parts (the longer stamens) Commelinaceae Commelinales St G
Tripterygium three wings (on the fruit) Celastraceae Celastrales St G
Trisetum three bristles Poaceae Poales St G
Tristagma three drops (the nectaries) Amaryllidaceae Asparagales CS G
Triteleia triple-complete. Previously Tritelaia. Asparagaceae Asparagales Ba G
Trithrinax three tridents (the leaves) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Triticum Latin name Poaceae Poales St G
Tritonia Latin: weather vane (a metaphor for the diverse stamens) Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Tritoniopsis Tritonia-like Iridaceae Asparagales Bu G
Trochodendron wheel (appearance of the stamens) + tree[4] Trochodendraceae Trochodendrales CS G
Trollius from a Swiss German name Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Tropaeolum trophy[4] Tropaeolaceae Brassicales CS G
Tsuga from a Japanese name Pinaceae Pinales CS G
Tuberaria tuber-like (the thick roots) Cistaceae Malvales St G
Tulipa Turkish: turban Liliaceae Liliales CS G
Tussilago (remedy for) coughing Asteraceae Asterales St G
Typha Greek and Latin name[4] Typhaceae Poales CS G
Typhonium Typhon, a mythological monster Araceae Alismatales Bu G
Ugni Mapuche name Myrtaceae Myrtales Ba G
Ulex Latin name Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Ullucus Peruvian name Basellaceae Caryophyllales St G
Ulmus Latin name[4] Ulmaceae Rosales CS G
Umbellularia Latin: little umbels Lauraceae Laurales CS G
Umbilicus Latin: navels (in the leaves) Crassulaceae Saxifragales CS G
Uniola Latin name Poaceae Poales St G
Unxia epithet of the goddess Juno Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Urceolina Latin: little pitcher (the flowers) Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Urera Latin: stinging Urticaceae Rosales St G
Urtica Latin name[4] Urticaceae Rosales St G
Utricularia Latin: little bottles (that trap insects) Lentibulariaceae Lamiales St G
Uvaria Latin: like a bunch of grapes Annonaceae Magnoliales St G
Uvularia Latin: uvula (a metaphor for the hanging flowers) Colchicaceae Liliales CS G
Vaccaria Latin: cow, possibly Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales St G
Vaccinium Latin name Ericaceae Ericales CS G
Valeriana Medieval Latin name Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales CS G
Valerianella Latin: little Valeriana Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales St G
Vallaris Latin: fence stakes (which they sometimes grow on) Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Vanda from a Sanskrit name Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Vandopsis Vanda-like Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Vanilla Spanish name, derived from Latin: vagina (sheath), for the pods Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Veratrum Latin: true black (the roots) Melanthiaceae Liliales CS G
Verbascum Latin name Scrophulariaceae Lamiales CS G
Verbena Latin: ceremonial plant[4] Verbenaceae Lamiales CS G
Verbesina Latin: like Verbena Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Verticordia Latin: turner of hearts (an epithet of Venus of mythology) Myrtaceae Myrtales St G
Viburnum Latin name Adoxaceae Dipsacales CS G
Vicia Latin: binding (the tendrils). Latin name. Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Vinca Latin: winding around. Latin name. Apocynaceae Gentianales CS G
Vincetoxicum Latin: conquering poison Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Viola Latin name[4] Violaceae Malpighiales CS G
Viscum Latin name Santalaceae Santalales St G
Vitex Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Vitis Latin name[4] Vitaceae Vitales CS G
Wollemia Wollemi National Park in Australia Araucariaceae Pinales Ba G
Xantheranthemum yellow Eranthemum Acanthaceae Lamiales St G
Xanthisma yellow (flowers) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Xanthoceras yellow horn (the glands between the petals) Sapindaceae Sapindales CS G
Xanthocyparis yellow cypress Cupressaceae Pinales Ba G
Xanthorhiza yellow root Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Xanthorrhoea yellow sap Asphodelaceae Asparagales St G
Xanthosoma yellow body Araceae Alismatales St G
Xeranthemum (long-lasting) dry flowers Asteraceae Asterales St G
Xerochrysum dry gold Asteraceae Asterales Ba
Xerophyllum dry leaves Melanthiaceae Liliales CS G
Xylobium wood-life (they are epiphytes) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Yucca Caribbean name Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Yushania Yu Shan Poaceae Poales CS
Zamia from a Latin name[4] Zamiaceae Cycadales CS G
Zamioculcas Zamia + Arabic name Araceae Alismatales Ba G
Zanthoxylum yellow wood Rutaceae Sapindales St G
Zea Greek and Latin name Poaceae Poales CS G
Zelkova from a Georgian name Ulmaceae Rosales CS G
Zemisia Zemi, ancestral spirits of the Taíno Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Zephyra Zephyrus, a god Tecophilaeaceae Asparagales Bu G
Zephyranthes western flower Amaryllidaceae Asparagales CS G
Zigadenus yoked glands (in pairs) Melanthiaceae Liliales St G
Zingiber Greek and Latin name, from a Sanskrit name[4] Zingiberaceae Zingiberales St G
Zizania Greek and Latin name Poaceae Poales St G
Ziziphus Greek and Latin name, from a Persian name Rhamnaceae Rosales St G
Zygopetalum yoked petals Orchidaceae Asparagales St G

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The arrow provides a link to the table row for the given genus.
  2. ^ Page numbers for references are omitted, since all the references list genera alphabetically except for Plants of the World, which is mainly cited for genera that match their family names.
  3. ^ "(Language) name" means the name of some plant originally, not necessarily in this genus.
  4. ^ This list includes fictional and unattested characters; also see List of plant genera named for people (Q–Z).
  5. ^ See for instance στυππεῖον.

Citations[edit]

References[edit]

  • Bayton, Ross (2020). The Gardener's Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-20017-0.
  • Burkhardt, Lotte (2018). Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen – Erweiterte Edition [Index of Eponymic Plant Names – Extended Edition] (pdf) (in German). Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin. doi:10.3372/epolist2018. ISBN 978-3-946292-26-5. S2CID 187926901. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ for license.
  • Christenhusz, Maarten; Fay, Michael Francis; Chase, Mark Wayne (2017). Plants of the World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Vascular Plants. Chicago, Illinois: Kew Publishing and The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-52292-0.
  • Coombes, Allen (2012). The A to Z of Plant Names: A Quick Reference Guide to 4000 Garden Plants. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 978-1-60469-196-2.
  • Cullen, Katherine E. (2006). Biology: The People Behind the Science. New York, New York: Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-7221-7.
  • Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.
  • The Linnean Society (August 1992). "Publications by William T. Stearn on bibliographical, botanical and horticultural subjects, 1977–1991; a chronological list". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 109 (4): 443–451. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1992.tb01443.x. ISSN 0024-4074.
  • Stearn, William (2002). Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. London: Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-36469-5.

Further reading[edit]

  • Brown, Roland (1956). Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 978-1-56098-848-9.
  • Lewis, Charlton (1891). An Elementary Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-910205-1. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (2013) [1888/1889]. An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon. Mansfield Centre, Connecticut: Martino Fine Books. ISBN 978-1-61427-397-4. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume III, M–Q. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44751-9.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume IV, R–Z. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44750-2.