Roots:  N ---Z

 Roots: N
 
 
 

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: O
 
 
 

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: P
 
 
 

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 Americca)
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 ppear)
     (Pyracantha = fire thorn)
pyren-
     referring to grain (Pyrenacantha = grain + thorn)) HOWEVER, pyrenaicus refers to
     the Pyrenees Mts. of France!

 Roots: Q

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: R
 
 
 

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: S
 
 
 

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: T
 

Back to Index

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: U
 
 
 

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: V
 
 
 

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: X
 
 
 

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: Z
 
 
 

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)
 
 
 

alpina afk. uit de Alpen
armeniaca uit Armenië, Armenische boom
atlantica uit de Atlas
australis uit het zuiden
campestre uit het veld
carica van Carië, in Klein-Azië
europaea uit Europa
gallica uit Frankrijk
germanica uit Duitsland
hispanica Spaans, (uit Spanje)
idaeus,-a, -um van de berg Ida op Kreta
japonica uit Japan
maritima aan de boord van de zee
montana uit de bergen
occidentalis uit het Westen
orientalis uit het Oosten
rhaponticum, -a,-um van gr. Rha: Wolga en pon-tos: zee (uit het land v. Wolga en Zwarte Zee)
sabauda Savoois, uit Savoje.
sylvestris uit de bossen
 
 

aurea, flavum, lutea geel
dulcis, dulce zacht, zoet, liefelijk
edulis (edúlis) eetbaar
esculenta, -um eetbaar
graveolens sterk riekend
odorata Welriekend
officinalis Geneeskrachtig
rapa, (rapaceúm) raap, (raapvormig)
saccharinum Gesuikerd
sativus, sativa Geteeld
 
 

abies spar, den
alba, -um,-us wit
andreanum naar E.F. André
annuum eenjarig
aquifolium met scherpe bladeren
ascalonicum,-a,-us van Askalon, in Palestina
arguta scherp gezaagd
atlantica van het Atlasgebergte
aucuparia vogellokkend
aurea (aureum) goudgeel
avellana van Avella (stad in Italië)
baccatus besdragend
barbatus gebaard
betulus lijkend op berk
botrytis,(bot-rys) Gr.botrys = naam van druif
carota L. naam van de peen (wortel)
caryophyllus plant met kruidnagel-geur
cerefolium  GR. chairephyllon: liefelijk blad; (Fr. cerfeuil)
cepa L. naam voor de ajuin
cerasus kersenboom
chinensis, Chinees; (ook: sinensis)
communis gewoon, algemeen
corymbosum met tuilen, tuildragend
decora sierlijk
delicious, (deliciosa) heerlijk smakend
domestica huiselijk, inheems
elegans sierlijk
endiva (intybus) Waarschijnl. v.h. Arab. hendibeh.
expansa, -us, um uitgebreid
faba naam van een boon (Lat.)
folius = met bladeren als ...
foliosus,-a, -um bladrijk, bladachtig
florus = met bloemen als ....
floribunda rijkbloeiend
gemmifera gemmatus, -a, -um = met knopjes (knopjesdra-gend)
grandiflorum grootbloemig
hybriden, hybridus bastaarden (kruisingen), hybriden (hibriden)
incana grijs
insititia voor het enten gebruikt (onderstam)
intybus (endiva) Waarschijnl. v.h. Arab. hendibeh.
x josta Duits: kruising van Schwarze Johannisbeer en stachelbeer (zwartebes x kruisbes)
laurocerasus blad lijkt op laurier, vrucht lijkt op kers
lycopersicum lykos (GR.) = wolf; persica = perzik
macrophylla grootbladig
majus groter
mas (masculus) mannelijk
maritima aan de zeekust groeiend
maximum de grootste
media de middelste
melongena GR.: mèlon = appel; genos= geslacht, afkomst
microphylla kleinbladig
minor kleiner
mollis zacht
napus raap
nigra, nigrum zwart
oblonga langwerpige vorm
occidentalis westers
officinalis geneeskrachtig
oïdes ides= gelijkend op (v.e. geslachtsnaam afgeleid)
orientale, orientalis oosters
ovalifolium ovaalbladig
paniculata pluimvormig
patula openstaand
peltatum schildvormig
pendula hangend
pepo pompoenachtig
perennis overblijvend
persicum, persica afk. uit Perzië
porrum van het Keltische pori; een eetbaar look
praecox vroegbloeiend
reginae van de koningin
rex koning
robur kracht
rubra rood
rotundifolia rondbladig
sanguineum bloed, bloedrood
schoenoprasum van gr.: schoinos: bies en prason: look
semperflorens altijd bloeiend
sempervirens altijd groen
serrulata fijngezaagd
spicata, spicatum arendragend
spinosus,-a,-um met dorens
splendens schitterend
sylvatica, sylvestris,(silvatica) bosbewonend
tricolor driekleurig
trifasciata met drie banden
triloba drielobbig
uva druif
variegatum bont
vinifera voor het wijnmaken gebruikt
vulgaris, vulgare algemeen
zonale met een gordel

Overgenomen uit:

 Glossary of Roots of Botanical Names

Did you know that 'Lavender' (Lavandula) comes from the Latin word 'to wash'? Ever wonder why the daylily is called Hemerocallis? Or what
angustifolia means? Here are over 1000 root word of botanical names from a- to zyg-. About this glossary.
 

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                                  Copyright © 1997 Karen Fletcher. All Rights Reserved.

Last updated on May 25, 1997.
Karen Fletcher, garden-gate@prairienet.org.

URL: http://www.prairienet.org/garden-gate/botrts.htm