Dictionary of Specific Epithets

Our Dictionary is a quick reference - accurate but sometimes tongue-in-cheek – and should be complete enough to satisfy most FQLs (Frequently Queried Latinizations).

For those really obscure words, declentions, derivations, genders, and the words used in specific names, see Dictionary of Botanical Epithets, an excellent and greatly more in-depth work.

Another site of interest is one created by a guy with an interest in botany who made a list of Latin words or roots and their meanings and lets you put them together. Very handy. It includes a link to another site of his that explains the rules and pronunciation of Plant Latin in a friendly, informal way. Definitely worth a visit.

A

aberrans....................................aberrant
abietina....................................resembling Abies (fir tree)
acaulis, acaule ............................stalkless
accumbens ................................ lying down (stems, not you)
acerosa...................................needle-like foliage
acmopetala..................................pointed petals
acranthus ................................. flowers at apices (tips)
acre........................................acrid, bitter taste
acuminatus ................................tapering gradually to a point
adeno- ...................................... prefix for glandular or sticky
adhatoda .................................. not touched by goats (uncommon)
admirabilis .................................. wonderful!, astonishing!!
adpressus .................................. pressed against
adstringens ................................ binding together
adumbratus ................................ counterfeit
aduncus ..................................... bent, crooked, curved, hooked
aequitrilobus ............................... 3 equal lobes
aereus ........................................ bronze
aestivus ...................................... of summer
affinis ......................................... related to, allied to
agastus.........................................charming (who'd have guessed?)
agglomeratus ............................... balled (as, in a ball)
agglutinatus ................................. stuck together
aggregatulus ............................... joined in little clusters
aggregatus ............................. joined in clusters, apparently larger ones
agrarius,agraria ..............................growing in fields
agrostis ........................................grassy
aizoon .......................................... evergreen (is that what it means!)
alatus,alata .................................. winged
albellus, albella................................almost white
albens ...........................................whitened
albescens .......................................whitening, turning white
albicans .........................................becoming white, not quite white
albidulus, albidula ..............................whitish
albidus, albida, albidum ......................whitish
albinus, albina, albinum ......................whitish (OK, we get it!)
albissimus, albissima .........................whitest
albocaerulescens ..............................white becoming light blue
albocinereus....................................ash white
albofuscescens................................white becoming dusky
albogilvus.........................................very light yellow
albohyalinus.....................................glassy white
albolutescens..................................white becoming green
alboniger,albonigra,albonigrum.............white black (?)
algidus,algida...................................cold
alpeophilus,alpeophila........................mountain loving
alpestris....................................of low mountains; growing in mountains
alpicola...........................................mountain growing
alpigenus........................................originating in the mountains
alticola............................................dweller in the heights
altimontanus,altimontana...................growing on high mountains
alveolatus,alveolata...........................channelled
amabilis...........................................deserves to be loved (aw!)
amplexifolius,amplexifolia...................leaves clasped
amplexus,amplexa.............................clasped
amygdalinus,amygdalina....................of almonds
anacanthus,anacantha.......................without spines
anemophilus,anemophila....................wind-loving
angulosus,angulosa...........................with corners, prominent ridges
angustatus,angustata.........................narrowed
angustifoliatus,angustifoliata...............narrow leaves
annularis.........................................ring shaped, ringed
annuus,annua..................................annual
anopetalus,anopetala.......................petals ascending
anosmus,anosma............................unscented
anserinus,anserina...........................belonging to geese (Huh?)
anthopogon.....................................bearded flower
anthracinus,anthracina.....................the color of coal (like, black?)
apertus,aperta.................................open
apetalus,apetala..............................without petals
aphyllus,aphylla..............................leafless
apiculatus,apiculata.........................abrupt short point
apiifolius,apiifolia.............................parsley-leaved
aquaticus,aquatica...........................in water
aquatilis,aquatilis.............................living in water
aqueus,aquea..................................clear like water
aquifolius,aquifolia............................holly like
aquilegifolius,aquilegifolia..................leaves like the genus Aquilegia
arachnoides.....................................like a spider or spider's web
arborescens....................................tree like
arboricola........................................living in trees
arbuscula........................................dwarf tree
arcanus,arcana................................closed
arenarius,arenaria............................relating to sand
arenicola.........................................living in sand
argenteus,argentea..........................silvery
argillicola........................................growing in clay
argutus,arguta.................................sharply toothed
argyraeus.......................................silvery
argyrotrichus,argyrotricha.................silvery haired
aristatus,aristata..............................long bristle-like tip
armiger,armigera.............................spiny, prickly
armillaris,armillaris...........................collared
articulatus,articulata.........................jointed
arundinaceus,arundinacea..................reed like
arvensis,arvense..............................of cultivated fields
asper,aspera...................................rough
aspersus,aspersa..............................scattered
assurgens.......................................rising up (no comment)
astrictus,astricta..............................drawn together
ater,atra,atrum.................................black
atratus,atrata...................................black
atro-..................................................prefix meaning very dark
atropurpureus,atropurpurea..................dark purple
atrosanguineus,atrosanguinea..............deep red
atrovirens..........................................dark green
attenuatus,attenuata..........................weak (not short?)
aureatus,aureata...............................with gold
aureo-reticulatus,aureo-reticulata.........with a gold net
aurescens.........................................becoming golden
auroralis............................................of the morning
auroreus,aurorea................................pink
australis,australe................................southern
avenoides..........................................oat like
axillaris.............................................in leaf axils
azureus,azurea,azureum......................deep blue

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B

baccatus,baccata.............................bearing berries
barbatus,barbata.............................bearded
basilicus,basilica...............................royal
betuloides.......................................like Betula (birch)
bifurcatus,bifurcata...........................forked
bilabiatus,bilabiata............................two lips
biternatus,biternata..........................with two sets of three
blepharosepalus,blepharosepala.........fringed sepal
bombycis.........................................silky
bombycifer,bombycifera.....................silk bearing
borealis............................................northern
botrys..............................................grape
botryodes,botryoides.........................grape like, clustered
brachy..............................................prefix meaning "short"
bracteatus,bracteata,bractealis...........with bracts
brevi................................................prefix meaning "short"
bryoides...........................................moss-like
bullatus,bullata.................................inflated, knobby

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C

caelestinus,caelestis.......................sky blue
caeruleus,caerulea...........................blue
caesius,caesium..............................bluish gray
caespitosus,caespitosum.................tufted
calamus..........................................reed
calcareus........................................chalky, limey, of limestone
calceolus........................................small shoe
calceolatus,calceolata.....................slipper-shaped
calcicola,calciphilus.........................limestone loving
calendula.........................................long lived
calli-..................................prefix meaning "beautiful"
callianthus,callianthemum.................beautifully-flowered
callicarpus,callicarpa........................beautiful seed
callosus,callosa,callosum.................calloused
campanulatus,campanulata...............bell-shaped
campester,campestris,campestre......of fields
campyla-,campylo-...........................prefix meaning "curved"
candicans........................................becoming white
candidissima,candidissimum.............whitest
canescens.......................................grayed
capillaris,capillaceus.........................hair-like
capillipes,capillipedes.......................slender stalked
capitatus,capitatum..........................with a head
capnodes,capnoides.........................smoke colored
cardinalis.........................................red
cardio-..............................................prefix meaning "heart"
carneolus, carneus...........................flesh-colored
caryophyllaceus,caryophyllus............pinkish
castaneus,castanea,castaneum.........chestnut-colored
catenatus,catenatum.........................chained
cathartica,catharticum.......................purgative
caudata,caudatum.............................with a tail
caulescens.......................................not with a full stem
caulialatus,caulialata.........................with a winged stem
cauticolus,cauticola...........................growing on cliffs
cavus,cavum.....................................concave
cephalanthus....................................flowering head
ceraceus,ceraceum...........................waxy
cernuus,cernua,cernuum....................nodding
cheil-................................................prefix meaning "lipped"
chryseus,chryseum...........................golden
ciliaris,ciliatus,ciliare..........................hair
cineraceus,cinereus,cinerascens........ash colored, gray
cinnabarinus......................................cinnabar red
circinatus,circinatum..........................rounded
citrellus,citrinellus,citreus....................lemon yellow
clandestinus,clandestina.....................hidden
clausus,clausa...................................closed
coccifer,coccifera...............................berry bearing
coccinea,coccineum..........................scarlet
cochlear............................................spoon shaped
coelestina,coelestis...........................sky blue
coeruleus,coerulea............................deep blue
collinus,collina...................................on hills
comans,comatus,comosa..................covered with hair
communis.........................................common
commutatus,commutatum..................changeable
concolor,concoloris.............................one color
connatus...........................................fused together
cord-.................................prefix meaning "heart"
cordatus,cordata................................heart-shaped
coriaceus,coriacea.............................leathery
crass-...............................................prefix meaning "thick"
crenatus,crenata,crenatum..................notched
crenulatus,crenulatum.........................crenate, with small rounded teeth
cretaceus,creteus...............................color of chalk
crinitus,crinita.....................................long haired
crispus,crispatus,crispum....................curly
crocatus,crocinus,croceus....................saffron yellow
cruciatus,cruciata................................crossed
crustaceus,crustatus............................crust like, brittle
cucullarius,cucullatus...........................hooded
cuneatus.............................................wedge-shaped
cupreatus,cupreus,cuprescens..............copper color
cuspidatus,cuspidata............................with stiff point
cyanascens.........................................bluish
cyanus,cyanum....................................blue
cymbi-.................................................prefix meaning "boat-shaped"

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D

dactyloides.....................................finger like
dasy..............................................prefix meaning "hairy"
dealbatus,dealbata..........................whitened
decorus..........................................beautiful
decumbens.....................................stems lying down
decussatus,decussata.....................crossed like the letter X
deltoides.........................................like Greek letter Delta; triangular
dens-canis......................................dog's tooth
diandrus,diandra..............................two stamens
dicarpus,dicarpum............................two seeds
dichotomus,dichotoma......................dividing into pairs
didymus,didyma...............................in pairs
diffusus,diffusa,diffusum....................spreading
digitalis............................................finger like
dimorphus,dimorpha..........................with two forms
dioicus,dioica,dioicum.......................dioecious; male & female flowers on different plants
discolor............................................two colors
dissectus,dissectum.........................finely cut leaves
divaricatus,divaricata.........................spreading
domesticus,domestica......................cultivated
dulcis..............................................sweet
dumosus,dumosa..............................bushy

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E

echinus............................................spiny
edulis...............................................edible
elatior...............................................higher
emarginatus......................................with notched margin
ensatus,ensata..................................sword-like
eria-,erio-...........................................prefix meaning "wooly"
erica-.................................................prefix referring to Heath and Heather family
erythro-..............................................prefix meaning "red"
esculentus,esculenta..........................edible
exaltatus,exaltatum............................very tall
excisa...............................................cut away

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F

falcatus...........................................sickle-shaped
farinaceus,farinosus..........................mealy
fastigiatus,fastigiata..........................narrowly erect
fenestrellata.....................................with little windows (!?)
ferruginea........................................rust colored
filamentosa,filamentosum.................many filaments
fili-..................................................prefix meaning "thread"
filic-,filix-..........................................prefix or referring to "fern"
fimbriatus,fimbriata...........................fringed
firmus,firma.....................................strong
fistulosus,fistulosa...........................tubular
flabellatus,flabellata..........................fan like
flagellaris,flagellifera.........................with flagella
flavens............................................golden yellow
flavescens.......................................yellowish
flava................................................yellow
flexicaulis.......................................bent or flexed stem
flexilis.............................................flexible
flexipes,flexipedes...........................bent stem
flexuosus,flexuosa...........................bending, curved
floribundus,floribunda.......................profusely flowered
floridus,florida..................................flowering
foetidus,foetida................................unpleasantly scented
foliolosa...........................................having small leaves
formosissima...................................most beautiful
formosa...........................................beautiful
fragilis.............................................brittle, fragile
frondosus,frondosa...........................leafy
frutescens.......................................becoming shrubby
fruticosus,fruticosa..........................shrubby
fulgens...........................................shining
fulvus,fulva.......................................tawny
fungosus,fungosa............................spongy
furcata...........................................cleft
fuscus,fusca...................................dark

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G

garganicus,garganica.......................of Monte Gargano, Italy
gibbosus,gibbosa,gibbus..................humped (what hump?)
glabellus,glabella.............................nearly glabrous
glabrescens....................................becoming glabrous
glaber,glabra,glabrous......................smooth, hairless, bald
glandulifer,glandulifera......................bearing little glands
gracilis............................................thin, slender
gramineus.......................................grass-like
graminifolius,graminifolia...................grass-leaved
grandiflorus,grandiflora......................large-flowered
grandifolius,grandifolia.......................large-leaved
graveolens.......................................strong smelling
griseus,griseum................................gray
gummifer,gummifera.........................gum-bearing
guttatus,guttata,guttatum..................spotted
gypsicola.........................................growing in lime

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H

hastatus,hastata..............................spear-shaped
helix..............................................winding around, spiraling
hirsutus,hirsuta,hirsutum....................hairy
hirtus,hirta,hirtum.............................also hairy
hispidus,hispida................................bristly
horridus,horridulus............................prickly, bristly
horti,hortorum,hortensis....................of garden(s)
humilis............................................low growing
hyemalis.........................................of winter
hymenoides.....................................membranous
hyperboreus,hyperborea....................extreme northern

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I

imbricans,imbricatus........................overlapping
implexus.........................................interwoven
incanescens....................................becoming white
incarnatus,incarnata.........................flesh pink
incisus,incisa..................................deeply cut
indivisus.........................................undivided
inflatus,inflata.................................swollen
inflexus..........................................bent
infundibular.....................................funnel-shaped
insignis...........................................remarkable
integer,integra.................................entire, untoothed
integrifolius,integrifolia.......................leaves entire
involucratus,involucrata.....................with a wrapper, covering
isophyllus,isophylla...........................equal sized leaves

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J

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K

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L

labiatus...........................................lipped
laciniatus,laciniata............................deeply cut, lacy
lacteus,lactea...................................milky
lacustris..........................................growing by lakes or ponds
laevigatus,laevigata,laevis.................smooth
lanatus,lanata..................................woolly
lanosus,lanosa.................................woolly
lanuginosus,lanuginosa.....................downy
lanulosus,lanulosa............................fuzzy
lasia-, lasio-.....................................prefixes meaning "woolly"
lati-.................................................prefix meaning "broad"
lax-.................................................prefix meaning "loose"
leio-................................................prefix meaning "smooth"
lentus,lenta.....................................prefix meaning "pliable"
lepido-............................................prefix meaning "scale"
lepta-, lepto-....................................prefix meaning "thin" or "slender"
leptopus,leptopodi............................slender-stalked
leucanthema,leucanthemum................white-flowered
lignosa,lignosum..............................woody
ligulatus,ligulata...............................tongue-like
lingua-, lingui-..................................prefix meaning "tongue"
lithophilus,lithophila..........................stone-loving
litoralis,littoralis................................of the sea shore
lobatus,lobata...................................lobed
longipes,longipedes..........................long stalked
lucidus,lucida,lucidum.......................shining, clear
lunata,lunulata..................................crescent shaped
luridus,lurida....................................pale yellow
lutescens........................................yellowish
lutea,luteum.....................................yellow
lychnitis..........................................lamp like
lyratus,lyrata...................................lyre shaped

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M

macrantherus,macranthera................large anthered
macranthus,macrantha.....................large flowered
macro-, macra-...............................prefixes meaning "large"
macrocarpus,macrocarpa..................large fruited
maculatus,maculata.........................spotted
magnus,magna................................large
majalis...........................................in May
marinus,maritimus............................near the sea
marmoraria,marmorata,marmorea........marbled
mas,mares,masculus........................male, robust,
matronalis.......................................of March 1st (?)
media,medium.................................intermediate
megacarpus,megacarpa....................large seed
melanocarpus,melanocarpa................black-fruited or seeded
melli-.............................................prefix meaning "honey"
micra-, micro-..................................prefix meaning "small"
micranthus,micrantha........................small flowered
millefoliata,millefoliatum,millefolia..........with 1,000 (a lot of) leaves
minima,minor,minus...........................small
minusculus,minuscula........................very, very small
mirabilis,mira....................................wonderful, extraordinary
mollis..............................................soft
montana,monticola............................mountain dweller
mucronata........................................short point
mucronifolia,mucronifolium..................short pointed leaves
multifida,multisecta...........................multiply divided
muscicola........................................growing in moss
muscoides,muscoidea........................moss like

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N

nana,nanus.....................................dwarf
natans............................................floating
nebulosa........................................cloudy
neglectus,neglecta...........................overlooked (so sad)
nemoralis,nemoris,nemorosa...............of the woods
nervosa.........................................veined
niger,nigra,nigrum.............................black
nigrescens......................................blackish
nitida.............................................shining, bright, polished
nivalis............................................of the snow
nodosa...........................................with conspicuous nodes
non-scriptus,non-scripta....................unmarked
notabilis..........................................remarkable, notable
nucifer,nucifera................................nut bearing
nudicaulis........................................bare stem
nudiflora.........................................naked flowering
nummularia......................................coin-shaped (like, round)
nutans............................................nodding

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O

obtusifolia.......................................blunt leaved
occidentalis.....................................of the west
occulta...........................................hidden
odorata,odoratus,odorus....................fragrant,scented
officinalis........................................sold as an herb; medicinal
orbicularis,orbiculus,orbiculatus............circular
oreophila,oreophilum..........................mountain loving
osteospermus,osteosperma.................bony seed
oxy-...............................................prefix meaning "sharp, pointed"

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P

pachy-...........................................prefix meaning "thick"
pallida,pallidum.................................pale
palmatus,palmatum...........................hand like
paludosus,paludosa...........................marshy
parvi-.............................................prefix meaning "small"
patens,patula..................................spreading
pauci-............................................prefix meaning "few"
pauciramosa,pauciramosum................few branches
pavoninus.......................................blue or having an eye
pectinata,pectinatum........................comb like
pedatifida,pedatisecta.......................divided like a (bird's) foot
pedatus,pedata................................(bird's) foot like
peduncularis,pedunculatus..................with a flower stalk
peltata...........................................shield-like
pelviformis........................................bowl-shaped
pendulinus,pendulina..........................hanging,pendulous
pennata,pennatum............................feathered
peregrina,peregrinum.........................foreign
perfoliata,perfoliatum.........................leaves joined around stem
petasitis,petasites.............................hat like
petiolaris,petiolatus,petiolata..............with petioles (leaf stalks)
petraeus,petraea..............................growing with rocks
petrophila,petrophilum........................rock-loving
petrosus,petrosum............................growing in very rocky conditions
phaea,phaeum..................................dusky, gray
phalaenopsis,phalaenopses.................moth-like
phyllo-............................................prefix meaning "leaf" or "leafy"
picta-, picto-, pictu-.........................prefixes meaning "painted", "embroidered"
pileatus,pileata.................................capped
pilo-...............................................prefix meaning "hairy"
pinnatisectus,pinnatus.......................pinnately divided
plani-, plano-.................................. flat
plantaginea......................................like a plantain
platy-.............................................prefix meaning "wide", "broad"
pleni-..............................................prefix meaning "filled, full, abundant"
plena,plenum....................................double
plumbeus,plumbea.............................colored like lead
plumeus,plumosus.............................downy, feathery
pluri-...............................................prefix meaning "more"
podo-..............................................prefix meaning "foot, footed"
poly-...............................................prefix meaning "many"
porphyrea,porphyrius,porphyria............dark purplish-red
praecox,praecocis..............................early-ripening
pratensis,pratense..............................in meadows
princeps,principe................................distinguished
procumbens,......................................prostrate
procurrens........................................spreading
ptarmicus,ptarmica.............................causes sneezing (!)
pube-,pubi-.......................................prefixes meaning "hair, hairy"
pulcher,pulchra...................................pretty, beautiful
pullus,pulla........................................dark
pulverea,pulvereum.............................dusty
pulverulentus,pulverulenta....................powdery
pulvinaris,pulvinatus,pulvinata...............cushion like
pumilio,pumila.....................................dwarf
punctata,punctatum............................spotted
pungens............................................spiny, pungent
pusillus,pusilla.....................................very small
pycna-, pycno-..................................prefix meaning "dense"
pygmaeus,pygmaea.............................dwarf

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Q

quadrangulare.....................................four-angled
quercifolia........................................leaves like the oak
quinquecostata.................................five-ribbed
quinquecuspidata..............................five-pointed
quinquefolia..................................leaves in fives
quinquenervia..................................with five veins

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R

racemosa,racemosum........................with racemes
radicans..........................................with stems taking root
radula.............................................scraper-like
ramiflora..........................................flowers on older branches
ramosa,ramosum...............................branched
recti-,rectus,recta.............................erect
recurvatus,recurvus...........................curved back
rediviva,redivivum..............................coming back to life
redolens..........................................scented
regalis.............................................royal
regina,reginae...................................queen
regius,regia......................................royal
religiosus,religiosa..............................sacred
reni-.................................................prefix meaning "kidney"
repanda,repandum.............................curved up
repens,reptans..................................creeping
resinifer,resinifera..............................resinous
resinosus,resinosa..............................very resinous
reticulata..........................................netted
retusa..............................................blunt, notched tip
revolutus,revoluta..............................rolled back
rex..................................................king
rhizophylla,rhizophyllum........................rooting leaves
rhodotricha........................................red-haired
rhombiformis......................................diamond-shaped
rhombica,rhomboidalis,rhomboidea..........diamond-shaped
rigens,rigescens,rigidula........................somewhat rigid
ringens..............................................gaping
riparius,riparium..................................of river banks
rivalis,rivularis,rivulus...........................growing by a stream or river
rostrata,rostratum..............................beaked
rotatus,rotata....................................wheel-like
rotundata..........................................rounded
rotundus,rotunda................................round
rubens,ruber,rubra.................................red
rubiginosa..........................................rusty
rufus,rufa..........................................reddish brown
rupestris,rupestre................................found near rocks

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S

saccharata,saccharum......................sugar, sweet
sagittalis,sagittatus..........................arrow-like or -shaped
sarmentosa,sarmentosum..................producing runners
sativa,sativum.................................cultivated
saxatilis,saxicola..............................growing among rocks
saxum,saxa, saxi-............................rock
scabra,scabiosa...............................rough
scabrida,scabrosa............................rough
scandens........................................climbing
scapifera,scapigera...........................with a scape (leafless flower stalk)
scolopendria,scolopendrium................centipede-like
scoparia,scoparium...........................broom-like
scopuli,scopulorum...........................of the cliff(s)
secunda,secundum...........................in a row, leaves on one side
septemfida.......................................7 divisions
septentrionalis,septentrionale.............northern
seric-..............................................prefix meaning "silk"
serotinus,serotina.............................late; in the evening
serpens...........................................creeping
serra,serrata....................................toothed, saw toothed
sessilis,sessile..................................stalkless
seta-,seti-,seto-,setu-.......................prefixes meaning "bristley"
signatus,signata................................marked
similis,simile.....................................similar
simplex............................................simple
simulans...........................................imitating
sinuatus,sinuata................................wavy-edged
sobolifera..........................................having offshoots
socialis.............................................found in colonies
somnifera..........................................sleep inducing
spathulatus,spathulata.........................with small spathe
speciosus,speciosa.............................showy
spectabilis,spectabile..........................notable, spectaclular
spica,spicata.....................................in spikes
spinosa.............................................spiny
spiralis..............................................spiraled (duh!)
splendens,splendida............................shining, splendid,bright
spurius,spurium..................................false
squamata,squamea.............................scaly
squamigera,squamosa.........................scaly
stellaris,stellatus,stellata......................star-like
stelliformis,stellulatus,stellulata.............star-shaped, star-like
sten-.................................................prefix meaning "narrow"
stramineus,straminea...........................straw colored
striata,striatum...................................striped
strictus,stricta....................................upright
strigillosa...........................................with tough, short bristles
strigosa.............................................bristled
strobus,strobi....................................gum-yielding
suaveolens,sauveolentis......................sweet-scented
suavis,suave......................................sweet
subacaulis,subacaule..........................almost stemless
subalpina,subalpinum..........................from lower mountain heights
subcaulescens...................................with a short stem
subulata,subulatum.............................awl-shaped
suffrutescens, suffruticosa...................somewhat shrubby
supina,supinum..................................lying down
surculosus,surculosa..........................suckering
suspensus,suspensum.........................hanging
sylvatica,sylvestris.............................growing in the woods, wild

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T

tardiva,tarda......................................late
tazetta..............................................small cup
tecti,tectorum....................................of the roof(s)
tenella,tenera.....................................tender, delicate
tenuis...............................................slender
tergestina,tergestinum.........................from Trieste
ternata,ternatum.................................in threes
tetrastichus,tetrasticha........................in 4 rows
thapsus,thapsi....................................from Sicily
thermalis............................................of warm springs
thyoides.............................................citrus-like
tinctorius,tinctoria................................used in dyeing
tincta,tinctum.....................................colored
tomentosa,tomentosum.........................hairy, fuzzy
tortuosa,tortuosum..............................twisted
torta,tortum,torus,tori...........................twisted
trachelius,trachelia...............................neck-like
triangularis,triangulatus.........................triangular
tricho-................................................prefix meaning "hairy"
tristis,triste.........................................dull, sad
triternatus,triternata.............................three times divided into three
tuberculata,tuberculifera,tuberculosa.......with tubercles, bumps
tuberosus,tuberosa...............................tuberous
tumidus,tumida.....................................swollen
turbinatus,turbinata...............................shaped like a toy top

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U

uberior.............................................more abundant
udus,uda..........................................moist
uliginosa,uliginosum.............................in marshes
ulmarius,ulmaria.................................elm-like
umbrosa,umbrosum.............................shady
uncinata,uncinatum............................hooked
undata,undulata.................................wavy-edged
unguicularis,unguiculatus.....................with a claw
urceolatus,urceolata............................pitcher-shaped
urens................................................stinging
urticifolia,urticifolium............................leaves like stinging nettle
utilis,utile..........................................useful
utriculata,utriculosa.............................with bladders

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V

vagans,vagus....................................wandering
vaginalis,vaginatus,vaginata.................with a sheath
validus,valida.....................................robust
varicosus,varicosa..............................dilated veins
vegetus,vegeta..................................vigorous
venenosus,venenosa...........................poisonous
venosus,venosa,venosum....................notably veined
ventricosus,ventricosa........................swollen on one side
venustula,venusta,venustum................charming
vermiculata,vermiculatum....................worm-like
vernalis,vernale.................................of spring
vernus,verna,vernum..........................of spring
versicolor,versicoloris..........................variously colored
verticillatus,verticillata........................whorled
verus,vera,verum ...............................true
vesicarius, vesicaria............................bladder-like
vestita, vestitum................................clothed
villos-................................................prefix meaning "hairy"
virens, viridis, viride.............................green
virgatus, virgata, virgatum....................twiggy, wand-like
virginalis,virgineus,virginea....................virginal, white
viscaria, viscida, viscosa......................sticky
viticella.............................................a little vine
viviparus,vivipara.................................bearing young alive
volubilis.............................................twining
vulgaris,vulgare...................................common
vulneraria...........................................for healing wounds

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W

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X

xanth-................................................prefix meaning "yellow"
xylorhiza, xylorrhiza...............................woody root

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Y

yakushimanum..................................of or from Yakushima, an island in southern Japan
yezoalpina,yezoensis..........................from (the mountains of) Hokkaido
yuccifolium...................................having Yucca-like leaves
yunnanense....................................of or from Yunnan, China

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Z

zaleucus..............................................very white
zebrina...............................................striped like a zebra
zonalis...............................................banded or girdled with a distinct color

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