Botanical terminology can seem complicated at first, but with a little bit of understanding you’ll start reading plant names like little stories.
Did you know?
Many botanical terms come from Greek (anthos = flower, xero- = dry) and Latin (folia = leaf, rub- = red).
Some names even blend both, for example: Leptospermum arachnoides = Greek arachno- (spider-like) + Latin -oides (like).
Here are some common terms to help you get started.
PREFIXES (the beginning of a word)
Numbers
• uni-, mono- = one
• bi-, di- = two
• tri- = three
• quad-, tetra- = four
Colours
• mela-, niger-, nigrans- = black
• leuc-, niv-, alb- = white
• argent-, glauc- = grey/silver
• chrys-, xantho-, flav-, lut-, aur- = yellow/gold
• rub-, eryth-, ruf-, ros-, fer-, ferr-, flamm-, haem- = reds
• purpur-, viol-, indig- = purple
• vir-, ver-, verd- = green
• cyan-, caerul- = blue
Size and Position
• micro-, parvi-, min- = small
• macro-, grand- = large
• sub- = below, slightly
• de- = down, away
• re- = back
• long- = long
• angust- = narrow
• brachy- = short
Characteristics
• a-, an-, ana-, ab- = no, without
• con-, com-, sym- = with, together
• hetero- = different
• al- = similar, like
• xero- = dry
• xylo- = woody
SUFFIXES (the end of a word)
Plant Parts
• -phylla, -folia = leaf
• -flora, -anth, -stemon, -styla = flower
• -carpa, -sperma, -spora, -gyne = fruit/seed
• -nerv = veins
• -cephalus = head
• -rhiz = root
• -dend = tree
• -oxylon = wood
• -pogon =beard, hairs
• -com, -trich, -pil = hair
Descriptions and Origins
• -oides, aceus = like, resembling
• -fera = bearing
• -ens, -ensis = from a place
• -ula = small/diminutive
Next time you’re looking at plant names, try breaking it down. Not only may you learn some new traits about the plant, but this will help to remember the terminology for next time!
If you want to learn more about botanical terminology, Don Perrin published a fantastic book called ‘The Dictionary of Botanical Names’ which is a very thorough and handy guide to assist in understanding botanical names better.
