The Hutchinson dictionary of plant names

539 Pages·2004·1.331 MB·English

by  Helicon

The Hutchinson Dictionary of Plant Names
Preface
Although this publication has been compiled to cover plants grown in the English-
speaking areas of the world together with much of Europe, it cannot claim to be
completely comprehensive since the use of common or vernacular names is often
restricted to a limited region or to special groups – one of the reasons put
forward for the wider use of botanical names – and it is almost impossible for
these to be collected and listed in their entirety since many pre-date botanical
names when they were in use as a means of plant identification among illiterate
people.
The introduction of botanical names was intended to positively identify plants
but continual revision has resulted in synonyms frequently occurring, and these
have been included in many instances to reduce the confusion caused by
consulting old reference books still to be found on the bookshelves of many
gardeners of my generation and earlier.
The standard binomial system has been used throughout – the generic name
followed by the specific epithet; for sub-species a third name can be applied and
also a varietal name although, in general, varieties have not been included. In
some publications the varietal name appears in italics, in a different typeface,
within quotation marks, ore preceded by the abbreviation var: here we have
used the system widespread in the USA and elsewhere of adding the varietal
name after the epithet using the same typeface and without quotation marks.
Plants have been separated into different sections for easy reference with lists of
common names at the front of the book and the botanical equivalents at the
end. In order to keep the number of pages within manageable proportions, the
categories and individual plants included are those most frequently purchased
from nurseries and garden centres in the UK and USA, or those most often found
in the wild. Vegetables have been excluded because very few customers use
botanical terms when buying them or their seeds.
A certain amount of duplication is inevitable if an unacceptable amount of cross-
referencing is to be avoided. Some herbs, for instance, may appear also under
'Wild Flowers' or 'Popular Garden Plants', and 'House Plants' includes species from
several categories.
× before or within a name indicates a sexually pollinated hybrid.
+ indicates a graft hybrid.
The Scottish and Irish prefixes 'Mac', 'Mc' and 'M' are united with the rest of the
name thus, macintyre, macaulay, maginty.
The Irish prefix 'O' is united with the rest of the name thus, oleary.
To avoid confusion the abbreviation St is listed alphabetically as Saint.
It is common knowledge that botanical latin is as different from classical latin as
modern from Chaucer's English, but once acquired it is a valuable working tool
both for the amateur and professional gardener.
© Copyright Research Machines plc 2006. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is
a division of Research Machines plc.
Helicon Publishing
New Mill House
183 Milton Park
Abingdon
Oxon OX14 4SE
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.helicon.co.uk
Table of contents
Epithets
Common names
Alpines and rockery plants
Aquatics
Bulbs
Cacti and succulents
Carnivorous plants
Ferns and fern allies
Fungi
Grasses, reeds, sedges, bamboos, vetches, etc.
Herbs
House plants
Orchids
Popular garden plants
Trees, bushes, and shrubs
Wild flowers
Botanical names
Alpines and rockery plants
Aquatics
Bulbs
Cacti and succulents
Carnivorous plants
Ferns and fern allies
Fungi
Grasses, reeds, sedges, bamboos, vetches, etc.
Herbs
House plants
Orchids
Popular garden plants
Trees, bushes, and shrubs
Wild flowers
Epithets
(cid:0)l abruptus, -a, -um Ending suddenly
(cid:0)l abscissus, -a, -um Cut off
(cid:0)l acaulis Stemless or nearly so
(cid:0)l acinaceus, -a, -um Sword or scimitar-shaped
(cid:0)l acu- In compound words signifying prickly or sharply pointed
(cid:0)l aduncus, -a, -um Hooked
(cid:0)l aesculifolius, -a, -um With leaves like horse-chestnut
(cid:0)l aestivus, -a, -um Developing or maturing in summer
(cid:0)l africanus, -a, -um African
(cid:0)l aggregatus, -a, -um Clustered in a dense mass
(cid:0)l alatus, -a, -um Winged; having wings
(cid:0)l alb, albi, albo In compound words signifying white
(cid:0)l albus, -a, -um White
(cid:0)l alpinus, -a, -um Alpine
(cid:0)l alternans Alternating
(cid:0)l alternus, -a, -um Alternate, not opposite
(cid:0)l altus, -a, -um Tall
(cid:0)l amarus, -a, -um Bitter
(cid:0)l americanus, -a, -um American, north or south
(cid:0)l ammophilus, -a, -um Sand-loving
(cid:0)l amplexicaulis, -is, -e Stem-clasping
(cid:0)l amplexifolius, -a, -um Leaf-clasping
(cid:0)l anacantus, -a, -um Without thorns or prickles
(cid:0)l androgynus, -a, -um Hermaphrodite; having male and female flowers
separate but on the same inflorescence
(cid:0)l anglicus, -a, -um English
(cid:0)l anguinus, -a, -um Serpentine; wavy
(cid:0)l angustifolius, -a, -um Having narrow leaves
(cid:0)l annulatus, -a, -um Having rings
(cid:0)l annuus, -a, -um Annual
(cid:0)l apiatus, -a, -um Spotted
(cid:0)l apiculatus, -a, -um Terminating in a point or spike
(cid:0)l apricus, -a, -um Sun-loving
(cid:0)l areneosus, -a, -um Cobwebby
(cid:0)l arcticus, -a, -um From arctic regions
(cid:0)l arcuatus, -a, -um Arched; curved; bent like a bow
(cid:0)l argentatus, -a, -um Silver; silvered
(cid:0)l argutus, -a, -um Sharply notched or toothed
(cid:0)l aridus, -a, -um Growing in dry, arid places
(cid:0)l aristatus, -a, -um Bearded
(cid:0)l armatus, -a, -um Having thorns or spines
(cid:0)l articulatus, -a, -um Jointed
(cid:0)l ascendens Sloping upwards
(cid:0)l asper, -a, -um Rough
(cid:0)l attenuatus, -a, -um Attenuated; pointed
(cid:0)l aurantiacus, -a, -um Orange-coloured
(cid:0)l aureus, -a, -um Golden
(cid:0)l auriculatus, -a, -um Ear-shaped
(cid:0)l autumnalis, -is, -e Pertaining to autumn or fall
(cid:0)l azureus, a, -um Sky blue
(cid:0)l bathyphyllus, -a, -um Thickly leaved
(cid:0)l betaceus, -a, -um Beetlelike
(cid:0)l bi- Two
(cid:0)l biennis, -is, -e Biennial
(cid:0)l bifidus, -a, -um Divided into two parts, not necessarily equal
(cid:0)l biflorus, -a, -um Twin-flowered
(cid:0)l bifolius, -a, -um Twin-leaved
(cid:0)l bifurcatus, -a, -um Bifurcate; divided into two almost equal parts
(cid:0)l bisectus, -a, -um Divided into two equal parts
(cid:0)l bombycinus, -a, -um Silky
(cid:0)l brachiatus, -a, -um Branched at right angles
(cid:0)l bracteatus, -a, -um Having bracts
(cid:0)l brunneus, -a, -um Brown
(cid:0)l bryoides Resembling moss
(cid:0)l bufonius, -a, -um Found in damp conditions
(cid:0)l bulbosus, -a, -um Bulbous; having a swollen underground stem
(cid:0)l buxifolius, -a, -um Box-leaved
(cid:0)l caeruleus, -a, -um Dark blue
(cid:0)l caesius, -a, -um Light blue
(cid:0)l calcareus, -a, -um Lime loving; pertaining to lime
(cid:0)l californicus, -a, -um Of California
(cid:0)l cambricus, -a, -um Welsh; of Wales
(cid:0)l campaniflorus, -a, -um Having bell-shaped flowers
(cid:0)l canadensis, -is, -e Canadian; of Canada
(cid:0)l canariensis, -is, -e Of the Canary islands
(cid:0)l candicans Shining white
(cid:0)l canescens With off-white hairs
(cid:0)l capensis, -is, -e Of the Cape of Good Hope
(cid:0)l caperatus, -a,-um Wrinkled
(cid:0)l capilliformis, -is, -e Hairlike
(cid:0)l capsularis, -is, -e Having a capsule or capsules
(cid:0)l cardinalis, -is, -e Cardinal red; scarlet
(cid:0)l carinatus, -a, -um Keeled; having a keel
(cid:0)l carneus, -a, -um Flesh pink
(cid:0)l carnosus, -a, -um Fleshy
(cid:0)l castus, -a, -um Clean; pure; chaste
(cid:0)l cataria Pertaining to cats
(cid:0)l caulescens Having a stem
(cid:0)l cavus, -a, -um Hollow
(cid:0)l centifolius, -a, -um Multi-leaved or -petalled
(cid:0)l ceraceus, -a, -um Waxy
(cid:0)l cereus, -a, -um Waxy
(cid:0)l cernuus, -a, -um Drooping; nodding
(cid:0)l chamae- Prefix indicating low growth or dwarf habit
(cid:0)l chinensis, -is, -e Chinese
(cid:0)l chrysanthus, -a, -um Having golden flowers
(cid:0)l chryseus, -a, -um Golden yellow
(cid:0)l ciliaris, -is, -e Fringed with hairs
(cid:0)l citrinus, -a, -um Lemon-yellow
(cid:0)l citriodorus, -a, -um Lemon-scented
(cid:0)l clavatus, -a, -um Club-shaped
(cid:0)l cochlearis, -is, e Spoon-shaped
(cid:0)l cochleatus, -a, -um Spiral
(cid:0)l collinus, -a, -um Pertaining to hills
(cid:0)l columnaris, -is, -e Column-shaped
(cid:0)l comatus, -a, -um Tufted; having a tuft
(cid:0)l communis, -is, -e Common; general
(cid:0)l compactus, -a, -um Dense
(cid:0)l concavus, -a, -um Concave
(cid:0)l conifer Cone-bearing
(cid:0)l consolidus, -a, -um Stable; firm; solid
(cid:0)l contortus, -a, -um Twisted
(cid:0)l cordatus, -a, -um Heart-shaped
(cid:0)l corneus, -a, -um Horny
(cid:0)l cornutus, -a, -um Horn-shaped or having horns
(cid:0)l corticosus, -a, -um Having thick bark
(cid:0)l costatus, -a, -um Ribbed or veined
(cid:0)l crassicaulis, -is, -e Having thick stems
(cid:0)l crassifolius, -a, -um Having thick leaves
(cid:0)l crassus, -a, -um Thick; fleshy
(cid:0)l crenatus, -a, -um Crenate; scalloped
(cid:0)l crinitus, -a, -um Having long thin hairs
(cid:0)l crispatus, -a, -um Wavy; curled
(cid:0)l cristatus, -a, -um Crested
(cid:0)l cruciatus, -a, -um In the form of a cross
(cid:0)l crustatus, -a, -um Encrusted
(cid:0)l ctenoides Comb-like
(cid:0)l cucculatus, -a, -um Resembling a hood; hooded
(cid:0)l cuneatus, -a, -um Wedge-shaped
(cid:0)l curtus, -a, -um Shortened
(cid:0)l curvatus, -a, -um Curved
(cid:0)l cuspidatus, -a, -um Cuspidate; having a sharp point
(cid:0)l cyaneus, -a, -um Blue
(cid:0)l cymbiformis, -is, -e Boat-shaped
(cid:0)l dactyloides Fingerlike
(cid:0)l dealbatus, -a, -um Coated with white dust or powder
(cid:0)l debilis, -is, -e Weak; frail
(cid:0)l declinatus, -a, -um Bent or curved downward
(cid:0)l deformis, -is, -e Deformed; distorted
(cid:0)l deltoides, -a, -um Triangular
(cid:0)l dentatus, -a, -um Toothed
(cid:0)l diaphanus, -a, -um Transparent
(cid:0)l diffusus, -a, -um Spreading
(cid:0)l dipterus, -a, -um Two-winged
(cid:0)l discolor Of two colours
(cid:0)l diurnus, -a, -um Day-flowering
(cid:0)l drupacius, -a, -um Producing drupes or fleshy fruits
(cid:0)l dulcis, -is, -e Sweet
(cid:0)l durus, -a, -um Hard
(cid:0)l echinatus, -a, -um Covered in spines or prickles
(cid:0)l edulis, -is, -e Edible
(cid:0)l effusus, -a, -um Spreading
(cid:0)l elatior Taller
(cid:0)l elatus, -a, -um Tall
(cid:0)l elegans; elegantulus, -a, -um Elegant
(cid:0)l elongatus, -a, -um Elongated; stretched
(cid:0)l ensiformis, -is, -e Sword-shaped with a sharp point
(cid:0)l erosus, -a, -um Irregular; jagged
(cid:0)l esculentus, -a, -um Edible
(cid:0)l falcatus, -a, -um Falcate; sickle-shaped
(cid:0)l fallax False
(cid:0)l farinosus, -a, -um Mealy; powdery; floury
(cid:0)l fasciatus, -a, -um Linked or bound together
(cid:0)l fenestralis, -is, -e Pierced or perforated
(cid:0)l ferox Vicious, having sharp thorns
(cid:0)l flaccidus, -a, -um Weak; limp
(cid:0)l flavens Yellow
(cid:0)l flexilis, -is, -e Pliant; flexible; easily bent
(cid:0)l flexuosus, -a, -um Twisted; zigzag
(cid:0)l floccosus, -a, -um Woolly
(cid:0)l floribundus, -a, -um Free-flowering
(cid:0)l fluvialis, -is, -e Growing in running water
(cid:0)l foetidus, -a, -um Foul-smelling; stinking
(cid:0)l fragilis, -is, -e Brittle; fragile; delicate
(cid:0)l fragrans Fragrant
(cid:0)l frigidus, -a, -um Growing in cold regions
(cid:0)l fumosus, -a, -um Smoky
(cid:0)l galactinus, -a, -um Growing in cold regions
(cid:0)l galanthus, -a, -um Having milky-white flowers
(cid:0)l galeatus, -a, -um Helmet-shaped
(cid:0)l gallicus, -a, -um French; appertaining to France
(cid:0)l geniculatus, -a, -um Bent abruptly like an elbow
(cid:0)l germanicus, -a, -um German; appertaining to Germany
(cid:0)l gibbosus, -a, -um Swollen on one side
(cid:0)l gladiatus, -a, -um Swordlike
(cid:0)l glaucus, -a, -um Covered in bloom, the fine white or grey coating seen on
grapes, plums, etc.
(cid:0)l globosus, -a, -um Spherical
(cid:0)l glutinosus, -a, -um Gluey; sticky
(cid:0)l gracilis, -is, -e Graceful; slender
(cid:0)l grammopetalus, -a, -um Having striped petals
(cid:0)l grandis, -is, -e Showy; large
(cid:0)l graveolens Strongly scented
(cid:0)l griseus, -a, -um Grey
(cid:0)l guttatus, -a, -um Speckled; spotted
(cid:0)l halophilus, -a, -um Salt-loving
(cid:0)l hamatus, -a, -um Hooked
(cid:0)l hastatus, -a, -um Spear-shaped
(cid:0)l helix Spiral or twisted
(cid:0)l helveticus, -a, -um Swiss; of Switzerland
(cid:0)l hians Open; gaping
(cid:0)l hirsutus, -a, -um Hairy; covered in hairs
(cid:0)l hispanicus, -a, -um Spanish; of Spain
(cid:0)l hispidus, -a, -um Bristly
(cid:0)l horizontalis, -is, -e Prostrate; horizontal; flat
(cid:0)l horridus, -a, -um Very thorny or prickly
(cid:0)l hortensis, -is, -e Pertaining to gardens
(cid:0)l humilis, -is, -e Very dwarf
(cid:0)l hybridus, -a, -um Of mixed parentage; hybrid
(cid:0)l hypnoides Mosslike
(cid:0)l hystrix Bristly or having many spines or prickles
(cid:0)l imbricatus, -a, -um Overlapping in a regular pattern
(cid:0)l immaculatus, -a, -um Spotless; immaculate
(cid:0)l immersus, -a, -um Growing under water
(cid:0)l implexus, -a, -um Tangled
(cid:0)l incurvatus, -a, -um Incurved; bent inward
(cid:0)l inermis, -is, -e Without thorns or prickles
(cid:0)l inquinans Marked; stained; flecked
(cid:0)l integrifolius, -a, -um Having entire or uncut foliage
(cid:0)l italicus, -a, -um Italian
(cid:0)l jubatus, -a, -um Crested
(cid:0)l junceus, -a, -um Rushlike
(cid:0)l kewensis, -is, -e Of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
(cid:0)l labiatus, -a, -um Lipped
(cid:0)l laciniatus, -a, -um Ripped or slashed into strips
(cid:0)l lacrimans Weeping
(cid:0)l lanatus, -a, -um Woolly
(cid:0)l lanceolatus, -a, -um Spear-shaped
(cid:0)l lateritius, -a, -um Brick-red
(cid:0)l laxus, -a, -um Relaxed; loose; open
(cid:0)l lenticularis, -is, -e Lens-shaped
(cid:0)l lentiginosus, -a, -um Freckled
(cid:0)l lepidus, -a, -um Elegant; graceful; slender
(cid:0)l lignosus, -a, -um Woody
(cid:0)l limbatus, -a, -um Bordered; edged
(cid:0)l lineatus, -a, -um Having stripes
(cid:0)l lingua Tongue or tongue-like
(cid:0)l lithophilus, -a, -um Rock-loving; growing among or on rocks
(cid:0)l longus, -a, -um Long
(cid:0)l lunatus, -a, -um Shaped like a crescent moon
(cid:0)l luteolus, -a, -um Yellowish
(cid:0)l luteus, -a, -um Yellow
(cid:0)l maculatus, -a, -um Spotted
(cid:0)l magnificus, -a, -um Magnificent; splended
(cid:0)l magnus, -a, -um Large
(cid:0)l majalis, -is, -e May-flowering
(cid:0)l maliformis, -is, -e Apple-shaped
(cid:0)l malvinus, -a, -um Mauve
(cid:0)l marginalis, -is, -e Margined; bordered
(cid:0)l maritimus, -a, -um Coastal; pertaining to the sea or seashore
(cid:0)l marmoratus, -a, -um Mottled; marbled
(cid:0)l maxillaris, -is, -e Of the jaws
(cid:0)l maximus, -a, -um Largest
(cid:0)l medicus, -a, -um Medicinal
(cid:0)l medullaris, -is, -e Pithy
(cid:0)l melancholicus, -a, -um Limp; sad-looking; wilted
(cid:0)l meleagris, -is, -e Spotted
(cid:0)l meridianus, -a, -um Blooming at noontime
(cid:0)l militaris, -is, -e Upright; rigid; stiff
(cid:0)l mirabilis, -is, -e Miraculous; wonderful
(cid:0)l mollis, -is, -e Soft; having soft hairs; velvety
(cid:0)l moniliformis, -is, -e Like a necklace
(cid:0)l monstrosus, -a, -um Abnormal; distorted
(cid:0)l montanus, -a, -um Pertaining to mountains
(cid:0)l monticola Mountain-lover, or a plant indigenous to mountain areas
(cid:0)l moschatus, -a, -um Musky
(cid:0)l mucosus, -a, -um Slimy
(cid:0)l mucronatus, -a, -um Pointed
(cid:0)l mucronulatus, -a, -um Terminating in a sharp point
(cid:0)l mundulus, -a, -um Neat; tidy
(cid:0)l muralis, -is, -e Growing on walls
(cid:0)l muscarius, -a, -um Pertaining to flies or flying insects
(cid:0)l muscivorus, -a, -um Fly-eating
(cid:0)l muscosus, -a, -um Mossy; moss-like
(cid:0)l nanus, -a, -um Dwarf
(cid:0)l natans Floating; reclining on the water surface
(cid:0)l navicularis, -is, -e Boat-shaped
(cid:0)l nervosus, -a, -um Having conspicuous veins or ribs
(cid:0)l nidus A nest
(cid:0)l niger; nigra, -um Black
(cid:0)l nipponicus, -a, -um Japanese
(cid:0)l nitidifolius, -a, -um Having glossy leaves
(cid:0)l nocturnus, -a, -um Night-flowering
(cid:0)l non-scriptus Unmarked
(cid:0)l notatus, -a, -um Spotted
(cid:0)l nucifera, -um Nut-bearing
(cid:0)l nutans Nodding
(cid:0)l nyctagineus, -a, -um Night-blooming
(cid:0)l obconicus, -a, -um Formed like an inverted cone
(cid:0)l obesus, -a, -um Succulent; bloated
(cid:0)l obscurus, -a, -um Uncertain; indistinct
(cid:0)l obtusus, -a, -um Blunt
(cid:0)l occidentalis, -is, -e Western
(cid:0)l odoratus, -a, -um Fragrant; scented
(cid:0)l officinalis, -is, -e Used in medicine
(cid:0)l oleraceus, -a, -um Vegetables, potherbs, etc.