List of descriptive plant species epithets (A–H)

For the second half of this list, see List of descriptive plant species epithets (I–Z).

Since the first printing of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plants have been assigned one epithet or name for their species and one name for their genus, a grouping of related species.^[1] These scientific names have been catalogued in a variety of works, including Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. William Stearn (1911–2001) was one of the pre-eminent British botanists of the 20th century: a Librarian of the Royal Horticultural Society, a president of the Linnean Society and the original drafter of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.^[2][3]

Stapelia hirsuta, the "hairy" starfish flower

The first column below lists seed-bearing species epithets from Stearn's Dictionary, Latin for Gardeners^[4] by Lorraine Harrison, The A to Z of Plant Names by Allen Coombes, The Gardener's Botanical^[5] by Ross Bayton, and the glossary of Stearn's Botanical Latin.^[6] Epithets from proper nouns, proper adjectives, and two or more nouns are excluded, along with epithets used only in species names that are no longer widely accepted. Classical and modern meanings are provided in the third column, along with citations to Charlton T. Lewis's An Elementary Latin Dictionary.^[7][a]

Key

LG = language: (L)atin or (G)reek

L = derived from Latin, or both Classical Latin and Greek (unless otherwise noted)

G = derived from Greek

H = listed by Harrison, and (except as noted) by Bayton

D = listed in Stearn's Dictionary

S = listed in Stearn's Botanical Latin

DS = listed in Stearn's Dictionary, with the word or root word listed in Botanical Latin

C = listed by Coombes

Epithets

Contents: 

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• X
• Z

Silene acaulis←^[b]

Orites acicularis←

Banksia aculeata←

Musa acuminata←

Juncus acutus←

Piper aduncum←

Eucalyptus aggregata←

Melilotus albus← and a honeybee

Echium albicans←

Ailanthus altissima←

Primula amethystina←

Eucalyptus ammophila←

Persicaria amphibia← on land ...

... and in the water

Hakea amplexicaulis←

Opuntia anacantha←

Eucalyptus annulata←

Euphorbia aphylla←

The bee-mimicking flowers of Ophrys apifera←

Ipomoea aquatica←

Anacampseros arachnoides←

Ceanothus arboreus←

Stream in Kamchatka with Salix arctica←

Ammophila arenaria←

Coccothrinax argentata←

Phacelia argillacea←

Rubus argutus←

Banksia armata←

Genoplesium arrectum←

Juncus articulatus←

Phalaris arundinacea←

Cirsium arvense←

Banksia aurantia←

Salvia azurea←

Taxus baccata←

Erythranthe bicolor←

Yellow bracts on Xerochrysum bracteatum←

Lonicera caerulea←

Eucalyptus caesia←

Cypripedium calceolus←

Phacelia campanularia←

Euphorbia candelabrum←

Cypripedium candidum←

Artemisia cana←

Carex capillacea←

Bignonia capreolata←

Lobelia cardinalis←

Metrosideros carminea←

Hoya carnosa←

Scadoxus cinnabarinus←

Haworthiopsis coarctata←

Banksia coccinea←

Erysimum collinum←

Triticum compactum←

Pinus contorta←

Tilia cordata←

Eucalyptus cornuta←

Coccothrinax crinita←

Amaranthus cruentus←

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum←

Adenanthos cuneatus←

Erythranthe cuprea←

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera←)

Pedicularis dasyantha←

Mentzelia decapetala←

The deciduous coniferous European larch, Larix decidua←

Geoffroea decorticans←

Ceratophyllum demersum←

Eremophila demissa←

Agave deserti←

Verticordia dichroma←

Gasteria disticha←

Passiflora edulis←

Oxalis enneaphylla←

Aloe erinacea←

Cirsium eriophorum←

Fraxinus excelsior←

Datura ferox←

Caladenia filamentosa←

Eremaea fimbriata←

Allium fistulosum←

Alloxylon flammeum←

Glaucium flavum←

Cornus florida←

Illustration of Iris furcata←

Billardiera fusiformis←

Rhododendron galactinum←

Myrtillocactus geometrizans←

Utricularia gibba←

Lepidosperma gladiatum←

Campanula glomerata←

Salvia glutinosa←

Cautleya gracilis←

Tuberaria guttata←

Ferocactus haematacanthus←

Thelocactus hastifer←

Illustration of Cistus heterophyllus←

Stapelia hirsuta←

Acalypha hispida←

Banksia horrida←

Opuntia humifusa←

Epithets

Epithets[8][9][c]	LG [10]	Meanings and derivations	Example species[d]	H	DS	C
abbreviatus	L	shortened	Caladenia abbreviata	H	DS
aberrans	L	aberrant, from aberro, to deviate[7]	Acronychia aberrans		DS
abortivus	L	abortive[7]	Ranunculus abortivus	H	DS
abruptus	L	cut off[7]	Acacia abrupta		DS
abscissus	L	cut off, from abscindo[7]	Narcissus abscissus		DS
abundiflorus	L	flowering abundantly	Alpinia abundiflora*		D
acaulis	L	(apparently) stemless, from a- + caulis[7]	Silene acaulis	H	DS	C[11]
acephalus	G	headless	Syngonanthus acephalus*		D
acer	L	sharp-tasting or (per Stearn) sharp to the touch.[7] Bayton lists only the genus Acer.	Pimelea acra*	H	D
acris	L	sharp-tasting or (per Stearn) sharp to the touch.[7]	Ranunculus acris	H	D	C[12]
acerbus	L	harsh; bitter[7]	Hovenia acerba		DS
acerosus	L	sharp; needle-shaped	Verticordia acerosa	H	DS	C[13]
acetosus	L	vinegary, from acetum;[7] sour	Rumex acetosa	H	DS	C[14]
acicularis	L	needle-shaped, from acus, needle;[7] acicular	Orites acicularis	H	DS	C[15]
aciculifer					D
acidus	L	sour[7]	Phyllanthus acidus		DS
acidosus					D
acidissimus					D
acinaceus	L	scimitar	Acacia acinacea	H	D
aciniformis					DS
acraeus	L	high-dwelling	Ranunculus acraeus	H
aculeatus	L	stinging or sharp;[7] aculeate	Banksia aculeata	H	DS	C[16]
aculeolatus				H	D
aculeatissimus	L	sharpest	Solanum aculeatissimum		D
acuminatus	L	tapering; acuminate	Musa acuminata	H	DS	C[17]
acutus	L	pointed; acute	Juncus acutus	H	DS	C[18]
acutangulus					DS
acutissimus	L	most acute	Quercus acutissima	H	D	C[19]
adenophorus	G	gland-bearing	Ageratina adenophora	H	DS
admirabilis	L	admirable[7]	Drosera admirabilis	H	D
adnatus	L	joined (organs), from agnascor, to be late-born;[7][10] adnate	Nepenthes adnata	H	DS
adpressus	L	pressed close together, from apprimo;[7] appressed. (Also appressus.)	Muehlenbeckia adpressa	H	DS	C[20]
adscendens	L	ascending, from ascendo[7]	Melicope adscendens	H	DS
adscitus	L	adopted[7]	Rubus adscitus*		D
adsurgens	L	rising, from adsurgo[7]	Acacia adsurgens	H	D
aduncus	L	hooked[7]	Piper aduncum	H	DS
adustus	L	sunburnt; brown[7]	Carex adusta		DS
advenus	L	stranger, from advena[7]	Nuphar advena		DS
aemulus	L	emulating.[7] (Also aemulans.)[4][5]	Banksia aemula	H	DS
aeneus	L	bronze[7]	Begonia aenea*		DS
aequalis	L	equal[7]	Diuris aequalis	H	DS	C[21]
aequinoctialis	L	equatorial, from aequinoctium, equinox[7]	Aneilema aequinoctiale	H	D
aerius	L	aerial[7]	Crocus aerius	H	DS
aeruginosus	L	verdigris, from aerugo[7]	Pimelea aeruginosa		DS
aestivus	L	summer[7]	Leucojum aestivum		DS	C[22]
aestivalis					DS	C[23]
affinis	L	related, from adfinis, adjoining[7][10]	Stachys affinis		DS	C[24]
aganniphus	G	snow-covered. Stearn's spelling is agannifus.	Rhododendron aganniphum		D
agastus	G	charming	Rhododendron agastum*	H	D
agglutinatus	L	glued, from agglutino, to stick on[7]	Echites agglutinatus*		DS
aggregatus	L	clustered, from aggrego, to bring together[7]	Eucalyptus aggregata	H	DS	C[25]
agrarius	L	of the land[7]	Fumaria agraria	H	DS
agrestis	L	uncultivated; growing in fields[7]	Rosa agrestis	H	DS
agrifolius	L	rough-leaved	Quercus agrifolia	H	D
alatus	L	winged;[7] alate	Mimulus alatus	H	DS	C[26]
albus	L	white	Melilotus albus	H	DS	C[27]
albidus	L	off-white. (Also albulus.)[5]	Sassafras albidum, Echium albicans	H	DS	C[28]
albescens				H	DS
albicans				H	D	C[29]
algidus	L	cold[7]	Boronia algida		DS
alienus	L	alien;[7] introduced	Quercus aliena		DS
alpestris	L	of mountains[10]	Prasophyllum alpestre	H	D	C[30]
alpinus	L	alpine; of mountains[7]	Potamogeton alpinus	H	DS	C[31]
alpicola				H	D	C[32]
alpigenus				H	D
alternus	L	alternating;[7] alternate	Physocarpus alternans		DS
alternans				H	DS
altus	L	tall; high[7]	Coccothrinax alta	H	DS
altissimus	L	tallest; highest	Ailanthus altissima	H	D	C[33]
alticola	L	growing in high places[10]	Genoplesium alticola		D
alulatus	L	narrow-winged[10]	Boronia alulata		D
alutaceus	L	leathery,[10] from aluta,[7] soft leather	Shorea alutacea		DS
amabilis	L	lovely.[7] Previously ama-bilis (Stearn).	Phalaenopsis amabilis	H	DS	C[34]
amarus	L	bitter[7]	Simarouba amara	H	DS
amarellus				H	D
ambiguus	L	ambiguous[7]	Kunzea ambigua	H	DS
amblyanthus	G	blunt-flowered	Bulbophyllum amblyanthum	H	S
ambrosiacus	L	ambrosia[7]	Achillea ambrosiaca*		D
amethystinus	L	violet; purple[7]	Primula amethystina	H	DS	C[35]
ammophilus	G	sand-loving[10]	Eucalyptus ammophila	H	DS
amoenus	L	pleasant[7]	Felicia amoena	H	DS	C[36]
amphibius	G	growing both on land and in water[10]	Persicaria amphibia	H	DS
amplexicaulis	L	stem-embracing, from amplexor, to embrace;[7] amplexicaul	Hakea amplexicaulis	H	DS	C[37]
amplus	L	ample;[7] large	Callicarpa ampla	H	DS
amplissimus	L	most ample	Ficus amplissima		D
ampliatus	L	enlarged, from amplio[7]	Acacia ampliata		DS
ampullaceus	L	flask-shaped, from ampulla[7]	Senecio ampullaceus		DS
amygdalinus	L	almond, from amygdalum[7]	Eucalyptus amygdalina	H	DS
amygdaliformis				H	D
amygdaloides				H	D	C[26]
anacanthus	G	thornless;[10] spineless	Opuntia anacantha		DS
anceps	L	two-headed; two-sided; uncertain[7]	Epidendrum anceps	H	DS	C[38]
androgynus	L	androgyne;[7] androgynous	Sauropus androgynus	H	DS
anfractuosus	L	recurving, from anfractus[7]	Acacia anfractuosa		DS
anguinus	L	serpentine[7]	Smilax anguina*		D
angulatus	L	angular[7]	Cycas angulata	H	DS
angularis				H	DS
angulosus				H	DS
anguliger	L	hooked	Disocactus anguliger		D
angustatus	L	narrowed	Protea angustata		DS
anisophyllus	G	with unequal leaves[10]	Artocarpus anisophyllus	H	DS
annularis	L	ring-shaped;[10] with an annulus	Eucalyptus annulata		DS
annulatus				H	DS
annuus	L	lasting a year[7]	Helianthus annuus	H	DS	C[23]
anomalus	G	anomalous[10]	Hydrangea anomala	H	DS	C[39]
anosmus	G	odorless[10]	Dendrobium anosmum	H	D
anserinus	L	of a goose, anser[7]	Argentina anserina		DS
anthelmius	L	anti-worm	Spigelia anthelmia		D
anthopogon	G	bearded flowers[10]	Rhododendron anthopogon		D
antiquorum	L	ancient[7][e]	Euphorbia antiquorum	H	D
antiquus				H	DS
apertus	L	uncovered; open[7]	Caladenia aperta	H	DS
apetalus	G	without petals[10]	Pomaderris apetala	H	DS
aphyllus	G	leafless[10]	Euphorbia aphylla	H	DS
apiatus	L	bee-like, from apis[7]	Gentiana apiata*		D
apiculatus	L	pointed, from apicula, a small bee;[10] apiculate	Darwinia apiculata	H	D	C[40]
apifer	L	(apparently) bearing a bee, from apis[7][f]	Ophrys apifera	H	D
apodus	L	footless; stalkless[10]	Bulbophyllum apodum	H	DS
appendiculatus	L	with appendages, from appendicula[7]	Salix appendiculata	H	DS
applanatus	L	flattened[10]	Acacia applanata	H	DS
appressus	L	pressed close together, from apprimo;[7] appressed. (Also adpressus.)	Eremophila appressa	H	DS
apricus	L	sun-exposed; sun-loving[7]	Eriogonum apricum	H	DS
apterus	G	wingless[10]	Zizia aptera	H	D
apus	G	stalkless.[10] Feminine and neuter apus.	Gigantochloa apus*		D
aquaticus	L	in water;[7] aquatic	Ipomoea aquatica	H	DS	C[41]
aquatilis				H	DS
aquilinus	L	eagle-like, from aquila[7]	Eucalyptus aquilina	H	D
arachnoides	G	spider; cobwebbed;[10] arachnoid	Anacampseros arachnoides	H	D
arachnoideus				H	DS	C[42]
araiophyllus	G	slender-leaved[10]	Bulbophyllum araiophyllum*		D
araneosus	L	spider-webbed[7]	Acacia araneosa		DS
arboreus	L	tree-like;[7] arborescent	Ceanothus arboreus	H	DS	C[23]
arborescens				H	DS	C[43]
arboricola	L	tree-dwelling	Lilium arboricola	H	S
arbusculus	L	shrubby.[10] Diminutive of arbor.[7][g]	Euphorbia arbuscula	H	DS
arcticus	G	far northern[10]	Salix arctica	H	DS
arcuatus	L	bowed[7]	Calothamnus arcuatus	H	DS
ardens	L	glowing[7]	Urtica ardens*		D
arenarius	L	sand-dwelling[10]	Ammophila arenaria	H	DS	C[45]
arenicola				H	D
arenosus	L	sandy; gritty[10]	Arabidopsis arenosa	H	DS
areolatus	L	areolate; having areoles[10]	Pterostylis areolata	H	DS
argentatus	L	silvery[7]	Coccothrinax argentata	H	D	C[46]
argenteus				H	DS	C[47]
argillaceus	L	white-clay	Phacelia argillacea		DS
argophyllus	L	silvery-leaved	Eriogonum argophyllum	H	DS
argutus	L	notched	Rubus argutus	H	DS	C[48]
argyraeus	L	silvery. (Also argyreus.)[49]	Acacia argyraea	H	DS	C[50]
aridus	L	dry[7]	Acacia arida	H	DS
arietinus	L	like a ram, from aries[7]	Cicer arietinum	H	D
aristatus	L	awned;[10] aristate	Pinus aristata	H	DS	C[43]
aristosus					D
arizelus	G	conspicuous[10]	Lupinus arizelus*		D
armatus	L	armed (with spines or thorns)[7]	Banksia armata	H	DS
armiger					DS
armillatus	L	with bracelets or collars[7]	Eucalyptus armillata		D
armillaris				H	D
aromaticus	G	aromatic[10]	Syzygium aromaticum		DS	C[51]
arrectus	L	erect, from adrectus[7]	Genoplesium arrectum		DS
articulatus	L	jointed, from artus;[7] articulate	Juncus articulatus	H	DS	C[52]
arundinaceus	L	reedy, from arundo[7]	Phalaris arundinacea	H	D
arvensis	L	of plowed fields, from arvum,[7] ploughed land	Cirsium arvense	H	DS	C[53]
ascendens	L	ascendant,[10] from ascensus;[7] ascending	Taxodium ascendens	H	DS
asper	L	rough[7]	Corymbia aspera	H	DS	C[39]
asperatus				H	DS
asperrimus	L	roughest	Bartsia asperrima*	H	D
assimilis	L	resembling[10]	Sauropus assimilis	H	D
assurgens	L	ascending[10]	Leptocereus assurgens*		DS
ater	L	dead-black;[7] dark. Feminine atra, neuter atrum.	Neololeba atra		DS
atratus	L	blackened[7]	Microtis atrata		DS	C[54]
attenuatus	L	tapering[7]	Banksia attenuata	H	DS	C[55]
aucuparius	L	bird-catching, from aucupium[7]	Sorbus aucuparia	H
augustus	L	majestic[7]	Rhopaloblaste augusta	H	D
aurantiacus	L	orangish[10]	Banksia aurantia	H	DS	C[56]
aurantius				H	D
aureus	L	golden[7]	Ficus aurea	H	DS	C[31]
auratus				H	DS
auriculatus	L	eared, from auricula;[7] with auricles. (Also auriculus.)[32]	Roscoea auriculata	H	DS	C[57]
auritus				H	DS
australis	L	southern[7]	Cordyline australis	H	DS	C[55]
austrinus				H	D
autumnalis	L	of autumn[7]	Mandragora autumnalis		DS	C[31]
avicularis	L	of small birds, from avis[7]	Polygonum aviculare		D
avium	L	of birds, from avis[7]	Prunus avium	H	D	C[58]
axillaris	L	axillary[10]	Pseudowintera axillaris	H	DS	C[22]
azureus	L	sky-blue[10]	Salvia azurea	H	DS	C[59]
baccatus	L	berry, from baca[7]	Taxus baccata		DS	C[60]
baccans					DS
baccifer					DS
bacillaris	L	rod-like, from bacillum[7]	Senna bacillaris*	H	DS
badius	L	nut brown	Symplocos badia	H	S
barbarus	L	foreign[7]	Lycium barbarum	H	D	C[61]
barbatus	L	bearded[7]	Dianthus barbatus	H	DS	C[62]
barbiger				H	D
barbatulus				H	D
barbulatus				H	D
barystachys	G	heavy-spiked	Lysimachia barystachys		DS
basilaris	L	basal[7]	Opuntia basilaris	H	DS
basilicus	G	royal	Ocimum basilicum	H	D	C[63]
bellus	L	beautiful[7]	Corymbia bella	H	D	C[64]
benedictus	L	blessed	Cnicus benedictus	H	D
bicolor	L	two-colored	Erythranthe bicolor	H	DS	C[65]
bicornis	L	two-horned	Aiphanes bicornis	H	DS
bicornutus				H	D
bidentatus	L	two-toothed	Manilkara bidentata		DS
biennis	L	biennial[7]	Oenothera biennis	H	DS	C[63]
bifidus	L	divided in two[7]	Trifolium bifidum	H	D
biflorus	L	two-flowered	Darwinia biflora	H	DS	C[66]
bifurcatus	L	two-forked	Amyema bifurcata	H	DS
bijugus	L	double-yoked	Intsia bijuga	H	DS
binervatus	L	two-veined	Carex binervis		D
binervis					DS
binervosus					D
bipinnatus	L	bipinnate	Sanicula bipinnata	H	DS	C[20]
bisectus	L	bisected, from sectus[7]	Zingiber bisectum*		D
biserratus	L	doubly serrated, from serratus[7]	Eremophila biserrata	H	DS
biternatus	L	twice-ternate; biternate	Enemion biternatum	H	DS
bituminosus	L	tarry, from bitumen[7]	Moraea bituminosa	H	D
bivalvis	L	bivalved, from valvae;[7] with two valves	Peristrophe bivalvis	H	DS
blandus	L	flattering;[7] alluring	Anemonoides blanda		D	C[67]
blepharocalyx	G	fringed-calyx	Alpinia blepharocalyx*		DS
bombycinus	L	silky[7]	Cymbopogon bombycinus		DS
borealis	L	northern, from boreas[7]	Banksia borealis	H	DS
botryoides	G	clustered, like grapes	Eucalyptus botryoides	H	D	C[68]
brachiatus	L	with arm-like branches, from brachium[7]	Buddleja brachiata	H	DS
brachyanthus	G	short-flowered	Oryza brachyantha		D
bracteatus	L	with bracts	Xerochrysum bracteatum	H	DS	C[69]
brevis	L	short[7]	Conophytum breve	H	DS
bronchialis	G	of or for the lungs	Saxifraga bronchialis	H	D
brumalis	L	wintry[7]	Diuris brumalis		DS
brunneus	L	brown	Banksia brunnea	H	DS	C[70]
bryoides	G	mossy	Saxifraga bryoides	H	D
buccinatus	L	trumpet-shaped, from buccina[7]	Hemigenia buccinata*		D
buccinatorius					D
bulbifer	G	bulb	Cicuta bulbifera	H	DS	C[53]
bulbiformis					DS
bulbosus				H	DS
bullatus	L	with bubbles, from bulla;[7] bullate	Annona bullata	H	DS	C[20]
cadmicus	L	metallic	Salvia cadmica*	H	D
caerulescens	L	becoming blue	Thlaspi caerulescens	H	DS
caeruleus	L	azure[7]	Lonicera caerulea	H	DS	C[71]
caesius	L	bluish-gray; lavender blue; cutting[7]	Eucalyptus caesia	H	DS	C[72]
caespitosus	L	caespitose, from caespes,[7] turf. (Also caespititius.)[73]	Pilosella caespitosa	H	DS
calcaratus	L	spurred, from calcar;[7] calcarate	Stylidium calcaratum	H	DS
calcareus	L	lime; calcareous	Mitrephora calcarea	H	DS	C[42]
calcicola					D
calceolus	L	shoe	Cypripedium calceolus		D	C[74]
callistus	G	very beautiful	Eriogonum callistum		D
callosus	L	callous or hard-skinned;[7] callose	Strobilanthes callosa	H	DS
calophyllus	G	with beautiful leaves	Gonystylus calophyllus	H	DS
calvus	L	bald[7]	Gunniopsis calva	H	DS
calycinus	G	like a calyx; with a prominent calyx	Hypericum calycinum	H	DS	C[75]
calyptratus	G	with a calyptra, a cap-like cover	Calandrinia calyptrata	H	DS
campanularius	L	bell; campanulate	Phacelia campanularia	H	D	C[76]
campanulatus				H	DS	C[56]
campestris	L	even; flat; of plains. From campester.[7]	Acer campestre	H	DS	C[77]
campylocarpus	L	curved-fruit	Isatis campylocarpa*	H	D
canaliculatus	L	grooved, from canalis;[7] canaliculate	Protea canaliculata	H	DS
cancellatus	L	latticed, from cancelli[7]	Ceropegia cancellata*	H	DS
candelabrum	L	candelabrum[7]	Euphorbia candelabrum	H	D	C[78]
candidus	L	shining white[7]	Cypripedium candidum	H	DS	C[74]
candicans				H	DS	C[79]
candidissimus	L	whitest, from candor[7]	Arisaema candidissimum		D	C[80]
canus	L	grey- or white-haired;[7] canescent	Artemisia cana	H	DS	C[81]
canescens				H	DS	C[53]
caninus	L	canine[7]	Rosa canina	H	DS
caperatus	L	wrinkled.[6][50] Possibly, goat.[7][10]	Anthurium caperatum*		DS	C[50]
capillaceus	L	hair-like, from capillus[7]	Carex capillacea		DS
capillaris				H	DS
capilliformis				H	DS
capillatus	L	hairy;[7] with fine hairs	Caladenia capillata	H	D
capitatus	L	having dense-headed growth; capitate	Roscoea capitata	H	DS	C[82]
capitellatus	L	small-headed, from capitulum[7]	Mimetes capitulatus	H	D
capitellus				H	D
capitulatus				H	D
capreolatus	L	with tendrils; supported. From capreolus,[7] props or stays.	Bignonia capreolata	H	D	C[83]
capreus	L	goat[7]	Salix caprea	H	D	C[84]
capsularis	L	capsule-producing, from capsula[7]	Corchorus capsularis	H	DS
cardinalis	L	scarlet	Lobelia cardinalis	H	DS	C[85]
carinatus	L	keeled, from carina;[7] having a keel	Zephyranthes carinata	H	DS	C[71]
carmineus	L	carmine. From Arabic and Latin.	Metrosideros carminea	H	DS
carnosus	L	fleshy, from carnis;[7] carnose	Hoya carnosa	H	DS	C[86]
carneus				H	DS	C[59]
carnosulus				H	DS
cartilagineus	L	cartilage-like; cartilaginous	Oceaniopteris cartilaginea	H	DS
castus	L	pure[7]	Mimosa casta*		D
catacosmus	G	adorned	Rhododendron catacosmum*		D
cataria	L	of cats	Nepeta cataria	H	D	C[87]
catarractae	G	of waterfalls	Veronica catarractae	H	DS	C[29]
catharticus	G	cathartic	Rhamnus cathartica	H	D	C[71]
caudatus	L	tailed, from cauda;[7] caudate	Entandrophragma caudatum	H	DS	C[45]
caulescens	L	stemmed, from caulis;[7] caulescent	Mandragora caulescens	H	D	C[56]
causticus	G	caustic	Lithraea caustica	H	D
cauticola	L	cliff-dwelling, from cautes[7]	Sedum cauticola	H	D	C[88]
cavus	L	hollow[7]	Corydalis cava	H	DS	C[89]
centifolius	L	many-leaved, from centum,[7] one hundred	Berberis centifolia*	H	DS
centralis	L	central	Rubus centralis	H	DS
cephalotes	G	small-headed	Leucas cephalotes	H	D
ceraceus	L	waxy, from cera;[7] ceraceous	Eucalyptus ceracea	H	DS
cerasifer	L	cherry, from cerasus[7]	Eucalyptus cerasiformis	H	D
cerasiformis				H	D
cerasinus	L	cherry-red	Corybas cerasinus	H	DS
cerealis	L	agricultural[7]	Secale cereale	H	D
cereus	L	waxy[7]	Ribes cereum	H	DS	C[51]
cerifer				H	D	C[90]
cerinus				H	DS
cernuus	L	nodding;[7] cernuous	Allium cernuum	H	DS	C[71]
charianthus	G	elegantly flowered	Ceratostema charianthum*	H	D
chasmanthus	G	gape-flowered	Aconitum chasmanthum*		D
cheiri	G	hand, possibly	Bulbophyllum cheiri	H
chimaera	L	monstrous; chimeric	Bulbophyllum chimaera		DS
chloodes	G	grass-green	Centaurium chloodes*		DS
chloracanthus	L	green-spined	Haworthia chloracantha		DS
chryseus	G	golden	Nephelium chryseum	H	DS
ciliaris	L	fringed	Cenchrus ciliaris	H	D
ciliatus				H	DS	C[53]
ciliosus				H	D	C[52]
cinctus	L	with a girdle; girding[7]	Dacrycarpus cinctus	H	DS
cinereus	L	ash-gray, from cinis,[7] ashes	Juglans cinerea	H	DS	C[91]
cinerascens				H	DS
cinnabarinus	G	cinnabar-red	Scadoxus cinnabarinus	H	DS	C[92]
circinalis	L	curled, from circino, to round;[7] circinate	Cycas circinalis	H	DS	C[93]
circinatus					DS	C[77]
cirratus	G	with tendrils; cirrhose. (Also cirrhatus, cirrosus.)	Fritillaria cirrhosa	H	DS
cirrhosus				H	DS	C[94]
clandestinus	L	concealed[7]	Pennisetum clandestinum	H	DS
clausus	L	closed; reserved[7]	Pinus clausa	H	DS
clavatus	L	club, from clava[7]	Lycopodium clavatum	H	DS
clavellatus					D
clivorum	L	of the hills, from clivus[7]	Hymenocallis clivorum		DS
clypeatus	L	shield-shaped, from clipeus[7]	Nepenthes clipeata	H	DS
clypeolatus				H	D
coarctatus	L	crowded; pressed together. From coarto.[7]	Haworthiopsis coarctata	H	DS
coccifer	L	bearing berries	Eucalyptus coccifera	H	D	C[95]
coccineus	L	scarlet, from coccum[7]	Banksia coccinea	H	DS	C[96]
cochlearis	L	spoon-shaped	Acacia cochlearis	H	DS
cochleatus	L	twisted like a snail shell, from cochlea,[7] snail	Prosthechea cochleata	H	DS
coelestinus	L	sky-blue, celestial[7]	Conoclinium coelestinum	H	D	C[13]
coelestis				H	DS
coelicus	L	heavenly, from caelum[7]	Rhododendron coelicum*		D
coeruleus	L	blue[7]	Aquilegia coerulea	H	DS	C[54]
coerulescens	L	becoming blue	Boronia coerulescens		DS
cognatus	L	related[7]	Acacia cognata	H	DS
collinus	L	of the hills, from collis[7]	Erysimum collinum	H	DS
coloratus	L	coloured[7]	Potamogeton coloratus	H	DS	C[97]
colubrinus	L	snaky, from coluber[7]	Anadenanthera colubrina	H	DS
columbarius	L	dove-blue; dove-like. From columba,[7] dove.	Impatiens columbaria*	H	D	C[98]
columnaris	L	columned, from columna, pillar[7]	Araucaria columnaris	H	DS	C[99]
columellaris				H	D
comatus	L	tufted, long-haired;[7] with comas. (Also comans.)[59]	Hesperostipa comata	H	D
comosus					DS	C[59]
commixtus	L	mingled together[7]	Aloiampelos commixta	H	DS	C[100]
communis	L	common[7]	Commelina communis	H	DS	C[101]
commutatus	L	changed[7]	Pterostylis commutata	H	D	C[33]
compactus	L	dense; joined together[7]	Triticum compactum	H	DS	C[102]
complanatus	L	flattened out, from complano,[7] to level	Eremophila complanata	H	DS
complexus	L	complex; clasped[7]	Muehlenbeckia complexa	H	DS	C[68]
complicatus	L	complicated; folded. From complico.[7]	Indigofera complicata*	H	DS
compositus	L	well-ordered[7]	Oplismenus compositus		DS
compressus	L	pressed together[7]	Potamogeton compressus	H	DS
comptus	L	adorned[7]	Micropholis compta		D
concavus	L	concave[7]	Pterostylis concava	H	DS
concinnus	L	neat; pretty[7]	Acacia concinna	H	DS
concolor	L	consistently coloured[7]	Abies concolor	H	DS	C[27]
condensus	L	crowded together; dense[7]	Nothaphoebe condensa	H	D
condensatus				H	DS
confertus	L	crowded[7]	Caladenia conferta	H	DS
conformis	L	symmetrical, from conformatio[7]	Dipterocarpus conformis		DS
confusus	L	confused[7]	Iris confusa	H	DS	C[25]
congestus	L	congested; heaped[7]	Senecio congestus	H	DS	C[103]
conglomeratus	L	crowded; rolled up. From conglobo.[7]	Eremophila conglomerata	H	DS
conjugalis	L	joined[7]	Dipteris conjugata		D
conjugatus					DS
conjunctus	L	connected[7]	Bidens conjuncta	H	D
connatus	L	twin; connate	Alectryon connatus	H	DS
conoideus	G	conical	Pandanus conoideus	H	DS
conopseus	G	gnat-like	Gymnadenia conopsea	H	D
consanguineus	L	kindred	Columnea consanguinea	H	D
consolidus	L	stable, from solidus,[7] complete	Xyris consolida*		D
conspersus	L	sprinkled[7]	Acacia conspersa	H	DS
conspicuus	L	conspicuous[7]	Eucalyptus conspicua	H	DS	C[103]
constrictus	L	constricted, from constringo[7]	Prasophyllum constrictum	H	DS
contaminatus	L	contaminated[7]	Lachenalia contaminata	H	S
contiguus	L	contiguous[7]	Lomaridium contiguum		DS
continentalis	L	continental	Leptospermum continentale	H	DS
contortus	L	twisted[7]	Pinus contorta		DS	C[104]
contractus	L	contracted[7]	Festuca contracta	H	DS
controversus	L	disputed[7]	Cornus controversa	H	D	C[82]
copallinus	L	gummy. Originally from Nahuatl.	Rhus copallinum	H	D	C[51]
corallinus	G	coral-red	Aloe corallina	H	DS
cordatus	L	heart-shaped; cordate	Tilia cordata	H	DS	C[105]
cordiformis				H	DS	C[106]
coriaceus	L	leathery, from corium[7]	Leptospermum coriaceum	H	DS
coriarius				H	D
corneus	L	horn-textured; corneous	Lithocarpus corneus*		DS
corniculatus	L	horned[7]	Eucalyptus cornuta	H	DS	C[40]
cornifer				H	D
corniger				H	D	C[107]
cornutus				H	DS	C[26]
cornucopiae	L	horn of plenty[7]	Melaleuca cornucopiae	H	D
corollatus	L	with or like corollas, from corolla, little crown[7]	Euphorbia corollata	H	DS
coronans	L	wreathed, from corona, garland or crown;[7] with a corona	Eucalyptus coronata	H	DS
coronatus				H	DS
coronarius	L	used for garlands; forming a crown[7]	Anemone coronaria	H	DS	C[67]
corrugatus	L	wrinkled, from corrugo[7]	Eucalyptus corrugata	H	DS
coruscans	L	shaking, from corusco[7]	Millettia coruscans*		D
corymbosus	L	clustered, from corymbus;[7] corymbose	Ipomoea corymbosa	H	DS	C[33]
corynephorus	G	club	Caladenia corynephora		DS
coryphaeus	L	leader[7]	Sphagnum coryphaeum*		DS
costatus	L	ribbed, from costa[7]	Planchonella costata	H	DS
cotyledon	G	small cup	Saxifraga cotyledon	H
crassus	L	thick[7]	Leavenworthia crassa	H	DS
crassiusculus				H	DS
creber	L	crowded; clustered; frequent.[7] Feminine crebra, neuter crebrum.	Eucalyptus crebra		DS
crenatus	L	scalloped; crenate	Mairia crenata	H	DS	C[108]
crenulatus				H	DS
crepidatus	L	slipper-like; wearing sandals[7]	Dendrobium crepidatum	H	D
crepitans	L	creaking; rustling; rattling. From crepito.[7]	Hura crepitans	H	D
cretaceus	L	chalky, from creta[7]	Caladenia cretacea	H	DS
crinitus	L	long-haired	Coccothrinax crinita	H	DS	C[70]
criniger					D
crispus	L	curled;[7] crisped	Rumex crispus	H	DS	C[57]
crispatus				H	DS
cristatus	L	crested; tufted[7]	Agropyron cristatum	H	DS	C[23]
croceus	L	saffron-yellow[7]	Iris crocea	H	DS
crocatus				H	D
cruciatus	L	cruciform; tortured[7]	Gentiana cruciata	H	DS
crucifer					D
cruentus	L	bloodstained[7]	Amaranthus cruentus	H	DS	C[45]
crustatus	L	encrusted or hard-surfaced, from crusta;[7] crustose	Saxifraga crustata	H	DS
crystallinus	L	glistening, from crystallus,[7] crystal	Mesembryanthemum crystallinum	H	DS
ctenoides	G	comb-like	Melaleuca ctenoides		DS
cucullaris	L	hooded, from cucullus;[7] cucullate	Psittacanthus cucullaris		D	C[62]
cucullatus				H	DS
cultratus	L	blade-shaped, from culter,[7] knife	Crassula cultrata	H	DS
cultriformis				H	DS	C[109]
cuneatus	L	wedge-shaped;[7] cuneate	Adenanthos cuneatus, Banksia cuneata	H	DS	C[110]
cuneiformis				H	DS
cupreus	L	coppery	Erythranthe cuprea	H	DS
cupreatus				H	D
curtus	L	shortened[7]	Pterostylis curta	H	DS
curvatus	L	curved, from curvus[7]	Ribes curvatum	H	DS
cuspidatus	L	pointed, from cuspis, blade;[7] cuspidate	Taxus cuspidata	H	DS	C[111]
cyaneus	G	blue	Commelina cyanea	H	DS	C[71]
cyclops	G	round-eyed	Acacia cyclops		D
cylindraceus	L	cylindrical, from cylindrus[7]	Imperata cylindrica	H	DS	C[112]
cylindricus				H	DS	C[59]
cymbiformis	G	boat-shaped	Philotheca cymbiformis	H	DS
cymosus	G	having cymes	Dichapetalum cymosum	H	D
dactylifer	L	finger-bearing; finger-like. From dactyl, finger.[7]	Phoenix dactylifera	H	DS	C[21]
dactyloides				H	DS
dasyanthus	G	with thickly hairy flowers. (Also dasycarpus, thick-fruited.)[113]	Pedicularis dasyantha	H	DS
dealbatus	L	coated with white powder; whitened. From dealbo.[7]	Melaleuca dealbata	H	DS	C[109]
debilis	L	feeble[7]	Helianthus debilis	H	DS
decandrus	G	ten-stamened	Ceriops decandra	H	DS
decapetalus	G	ten-petalled	Mentzelia decapetala	H	DS	C[114]
decaphyllus	G	ten-leaved	Oxalis decaphylla		DS
deciduus	L	deciduous, from decido, to fall off[7]	Larix decidua	H	DS	C[115]
decipiens	L	deceptive, from decipio[7]	Agave decipiens	H	DS	C[116]
declinatus	L	bending away or down, from declino;[7] declinate	Yucca declinata	H	DS
decolorans	L	faded or discoloured, from decolor[7]	Achillea decolorans*		DS
decompositus	L	divided, from de + composito[7]	Lastreopsis decomposita	H	D
decorus	L	decorated; decorous[7]	Rhododendron decorum	H	D	C[79]
decoratus				H	DS
decorticans	L	stripping bark, from de + cortex[7]	Geoffroea decorticans		DS
decumanus	L	very large; of the tenth part[7]	Canarium decumanum	H	D
decumbens	L	reclining; decumbent. From decumbo.[7]	Viola decumbens	H	DS
decurrens	L	decurrent, from decurro[7]	Calocedrus decurrens	H	DS	C[117]
deflexus	L	bent (downward), from deflecto[7]	Eucalyptus deflexa	H	DS
deformis	L	disfigured, from deformo[7]	Pheladenia deformis	H	DS
dehiscens	L	split, from dehisco;[7] dehiscent	Pentachondra dehiscens*		DS
dejectus	L	low-lying or debased, from deiectus[7]	Opuntia dejecta	H	DS
delectus	L	beloved, from dilectus[7]	Rubus delectus*		DS
delicatus	L	delicate; delightful[7]	Eucalyptus delicata	H	DS
delicatissimus	L	most delightful	Plectranthus delicatissimus*		D
deliciosus	L	delicious, from deliciae,[7] delight	Monstera deliciosa	H	DS	C[48]
deltoides	G	triangular; deltoid	Populus deltoides	H	D	C[62]
deltoideus				H	DS	C[118]
demersus	L	submerged, from demergo[7]	Ceratophyllum demersum	H	DS	C[119]
deminutus	L	small, from deminutio[7]	Bulbophyllum deminutum	H	S
demissus	L	sunken; lowly[7]	Eremophila demissa	H	DS
dendricola	G	tree-dwelling; tree-loving	Lomaridium dendrophilum		D
dendrophilus				H	DS
dendroideus	G	tree-like. (Also dendromorphus, tree-shaped.)[120]	Dendrolycopodium dendroideum	H	DS
densus	L	dense	Stenanthium densum	H	DS
densatus				H	D
dentatus	L	toothed;[7] dentate	Banksia dentata	H	DS	C[121]
dentifer					D
dentosus					D
denticulatus				H	DS	C[122]
denudatus	L	denuded, from denudo[7]	Magnolia denudata	H	DS	C[123]
depauperatus	L	poorly formed, from de + pauper,[7] poor	Trifolium depauperatum	H	DS
dependens	L	hanging, from dependeo,[7] to hang from	Bulbophyllum dependens	H	DS
depressus	L	depressed; sunken; low[7]	Gaultheria depressa	H	DS
deserti	L	of deserts, from desertus[7]	Agave deserti	H	DS	C[55]
desertorum				H	DS
detersus	L	wiped clean, from detergeo,[7] to wipe away	Connarus detersus*		DS
detonsus	L	sheared, from detondeo[7]	Hazardia detonsa	H	D
deustus	L	scorched, from deuro[7]	Penstemon deustus	H	DS
diabolicus	G	two-horned; with a devilish appearance	Acer diabolicum	H	D
diacanthus	G	double-thorned; double-spined	Ribes diacanthum	H	D
diacritus	G	separated	Hieracium diacritum*		D
diademus	G	crown-like. Stearn and Harrison list diadema.	Stylidium diademum*	H	D
diandrus	G	two-stamened	Bromus diandrus	H	DS
diaphanus	G	transparent	Cystopteris diaphana	H	DS
dichotomus	G	split in two; dichotomous	Juncus dichotomus	H	DS	C[124]
dichromus	G	two-coloured	Verticordia dichroma	H	D
dichrous				H	D
dicoccus	G	two-berried	Myriophyllum dicoccum*		D
dictyotus	G	netted	Lepidium dictyotum		D
didymus	G	twinned	Lepidium didymum	H	D
difformis	L	irregular; unusual	Cyperus difformis	H	D	C[125]
diffusus	L	spreading	Turnera diffusa	H	D	C[85]
digitatus	L	digitate (like an open hand), from digitus,[7] finger	Diphasiastrum digitatum	H	DS	C[124]
dilatus	L	scattered; expanded. From differo.[7]	Viburnum dilatatum		D
dilatatus				H	DS	C[24]
dilutus	L	diluted[7]	Centaurea diluta	H	S
dimidiatus	L	halved;[7] divided unequally	Apodytes dimidiata	H	DS
dimorphus	G	with two different forms	Caladenia dimorpha	H	DS
diodon	G	two-toothed	Valerianella diodon*		D
dioicus	G	dioecious	Aruncus dioicus	H	DS	C[126]
dipetalus	G	two-petalled	Fraxinus dipetala	H	DS
diphyllus	G	two-leaved	Cardamine diphylla	H	D	C[127]
diplotrichus	G	having two kinds of hairs	Polypodium diplotrichum*		D
dipterus	G	double-winged	Eucalyptus diptera	H	D	C[75]
dipyrenus	G	two-fruited	Ilex dipyrena*	H	DS
disciformis	G	arranged like a disc	Quercus disciformis	H	DS
discoideus	G	disc-shaped; lacking rays; discoid	Margaritaria discoidea	H	DS
discolor	L	of different colours;[7] discolorous	Diospyros discolor	H	D	C[83]
dispar	L	unequal;[7] unusual in the genus	Boechera dispar	H	DS
dispersus	L	scattered, from dispergo[7]	Mentzelia dispersa	H	DS
dissectus	L	segmented. (Also dissaepio.)[7]	Lactuca dissecta	H	DS
dissimilis	L	different[7] (from the rest of the genus)	Acacia dissimilis	H	DS
dissitus	L	spaced, from dissero,[7] to plant here and there	Carex dissita		DS
distachyus	G	two-branched; double-spiked	Ephedra distachya	H	DS
distans	L	far apart[7]	Hibiscadelphus distans	H	DS
distichus	G	alternately opposed; in two ranks	Gasteria disticha	H	DS	C[27]
distortus	L	distorted[7]	Astragalus distortus	H	DS
distylus	G	two-styled	Allocasuarina distyla	H	DS
diurnus	L	day-blooming; by day[7]	Cestrum diurnum	H	DS
divaricatus	L	spreading wide, from divarico, to stretch apart;[7] divaricate	Tabernaemontana divaricata	H	DS	C[106]
divergens	L	spreading out, from di + vergo,[7] to bend or turn	Acacia divergens	H	DS
diversiformis	L	diverse	Romulea diversiformis*	H	DS
divisus	L	divided, from divido[7]	Gunniopsis divisa	H	DS
dodecandrus	G	with twelve stamens	Cordia dodecandra	H	DS
dolabratus	G	axe-shaped	Hypericum dolabriforme	H	DS	C[73]
dolabriformis				H	DS
dolichostemon	G	having long stamens	Epimedium dolichostemon*		DS
dolosus	L	deceptive	Artemisia dolosa*	H	DS
domesticus	L	domestic; domesticated; of the house[7]	Prunus domestica	H	DS	C[25]
draco	L	dragon.[7] (Also dracunculus, little dragon.)[81]	Dracaena draco	H	DS
drupaceus	G	stone-fruited; with drupes	Juniperus drupacea	H	DS
drupifer				H	DS
dubius	L	doubtful; moving two ways[7]	Nepenthes dubia	H	DS	C[127]
dulcis	L	sweet[7]	Eleocharis dulcis	H	DS	C[107]
dumetorum	L	of thickets or hedges, from dumus[7]	Dioscorea dumetorum	H	DS
dumosus	L	bushy[7]	Ambrosia dumosa	H	DS	C[128]
dunensis	L	of sand dunes. From Old English and Latin.	Epipactis dunensis		DS
duplex	L	double[7]	Thryptomene duplicata		DS
duplicatus				H	DS
durabilis	L	lasting[7]	Acacia durabilis		DS
durus	L	hard[7]	Sporobolus durus	H	DS
duriusculus					DS
dysentericus	G	for dysentery	Eugenia dysenterica		DS
ebenus	L	ebony. (Also ebeneus.)[7][4][6]	Diospyros ebenum, Alangium ebenaceum*	H	D
ebenaceus					D
ebracteatus	L	without bracts, from bractea, metal foil[7]	Eremaea ebracteata	H	DS
eburneus	L	ivory[7] (the colour)	Diuris eburnea	H	DS	C[129]
echinatus	L	hedgehog, from echinus[6]	Ceratophyllum echinatum	H	DS
eclecteus	G	select. (Also eclectus.)[10]	Rhododendron eclecteum*		D
ecornutus	L	hornless, from cornu, horn,[7] and cornutus[10]	Impatiens ecornuta	H	DS
edulis	L	edible[7]	Passiflora edulis	H	DS	C[85]
effusus	L	unrestrained[7]	Milium effusum	H	DS	C[116]
elasticus	G	rubber; with latex	Castilla elastica	H	DS	C[101]
elatior	L	loftier	Primula elatior	H	D	C[32]
elatus	L	lofty[7]	Cyrtanthus elatus, Leionema elatius	H	DS	C[99]
elegans	L	elegant[7]	Zinnia elegans	H	DS	C[54]
elegantulus				H	DS
elegantissimus	L	most elegant	Plerandra elegantissima	H	D	C[130]
elephantum	L	of elephants, from elephantus[7]	Lithocarpus elephantum*		D
ellipsoidalis	G	ellipsoid	Quercus ellipsoidalis	H	DS
ellipticus	G	elliptical	Adenanthos ellipticus	H	DS	C[82]
elongatus	L	elongated, from longus[7]	Podocarpus elongatus	H	DS	C[131]
emarginatus	L	notched, from margo, a border;[7] emarginate	Leptospermum emarginatum	H	DS
emeticus	G	emetic	Trichilia emetica		DS
eminens	L	eminent	Sorbus eminens	H	DS
encliandrus	G	with half-enclosed stamens	Fuchsia encliandra*	H
enneaphyllus	G	nine-leaved	Echinocereus enneacanthus	H	DS	C[132]
ensatus	L	sword, from ensis;[7] ensiform	Stylidium ensatum	H	DS	C[25]
ensiformis				H	DS
entomophilus	G	insect-loving; entomophilous	Dioscorea entomophila*		D
epigaeus	G	ground	Corallocarpus epigaeus*		DS
epiphyllus	G	(flowers) on the leaves	Davallia epiphylla*	H	S
epiphyticus	G	(growing) on a (different) plant	Dendrobium epiphyticum	H	S
epipsilus	G	sparse	Viola epipsila		D
episcopalis	G	episcopal	Heliconia episcopalis		D
equestris	L	equestrian[7]	Leionema equestre	H	D
erectus	L	erect[7]	Pterostylis erecta	H	DS	C[69]
erinaceus	L	hedgehog	Aloe erinacea	H	D
eriophorus	G	wool-bearing	Cirsium eriophorum		DS
erosus	L	erose	Eucalyptus erosa	H	DS
erraticus	L	erratic;[7] non-generic	Jacobaea erratica*		DS
erubescens	L	blushing, from erubesco[7]	Lophospermum erubescens	H	DS
erythrocarpus	G	red-fruited	Gahnia erythrocarpa	H	DS
esculentus	L	edible[7]	Abelmoschus esculentus	H	DS	C[27]
estriatus	L	unstriped	Ilex estriata*		DS
etuberosus	L	without tubers, from tuber, a swelling[7]	Solanum etuberosum		DS
euchlorus	G	fresh-green	Praecereus euchlorus	H	D
eudoxus	G	reputable	Rhododendron eudoxum		DS
evectus	L	elevated[7]	Angiopteris evecta		D
evertus	L	overturned, from everto[7]	Alsophila everta		D
exaltatus	L	lofty, from altus[7]	Nephrolepis exaltata	H	DS	C[133]
exaratus	L	engraved, from exaro[7]	Agrostis exarata	H	DS
exasperatus	L	rough, from exaspero, to roughen[7]	Bulbophyllum exasperatum		DS
excavatus	L	hollowed out, from excavo[7]	Calochortus excavatus	H	DS
excellens	L	excellent[7]	Mimulopsis excellens*	H	D
excelsior	L	loftier[7]	Fraxinus excelsior	H	D
excelsus	L	lofty[7]	Alectryon excelsus	H	DS
excisus	L	excised[7]	Manilkara excisa	H	DS
excorticatus	L	peeling or bare, from cortex, bark[7]	Fuchsia excorticata	H	D
exiguus	L	paltry[7]	Acianthus exiguus	H	DS	C[84]
eximius	L	distinguished[7]	Protea eximia	H	DS	C[62]
exitiosus	L	toxic[7]	Tanaecium exitiosum*		D
exoticus	G	exotic; introduced	Musa exotica		DS
expansus	L	expanded, from pando[7]	Goniothalamus expansus	H	DS
explodens	L	exploding	Ronnbergia explodens*		DS
exsculptus	L	carved, from exsculpo[7]	Pronephrium exsculptum*		DS
exsertus	L	protruding;[7] exserted	Acianthus exsertus	H	DS
exsurgens	L	rising, from exsurgo[7]	Galium exsurgens*		DS
extensus	L	extended[7]	Eucalyptus extensa	H	DS
exudans	L	exuding, from exudo[7] and exsudans[6]	Acacia exudans		DS
facetus	L	fine;[7] refined	Rhododendron facetum	H
falcatus	L	sickle[7]	Sarcochilus falcatus, Cyrtanthus falcatus, Pterostylis falcata	H	DS	C[74]
falciformis				H	DS
falcinellus				H	D
fallax	L	false[7]	Eremophila fallax	H	DS
farinaceus	L	farinaceous, from farina, flour[7]	Salvia farinacea	H	DS
farinosus				H	DS
fasciatus	L	bundled, from fascis;[7] fascicled	Eremophila fasciata	H	DS	C[23]
fascicularis				H	D
fasciculatus				H	DS
fastigiatus	L	pointed;[7] fastigiate	Leptospermum fastigiatum, Boronia fastigiata, Verticordia fastigiata	H	DS
fastuosus	L	proud[7]	Aerangis fastuosa	H	DS	C[108]
fatuus	L	foolish;[7] insipid	Avena fatua	H	D
febrifugus	L	anti-fever, from febris, fever[7]	Dichroa febrifuga	H	D	C[49]
fecundus	L	fruitful[7]	Prasophyllum fecundum	H	S
femineus	L	feminine.[7] (Also femina.)[10]	Restio femineus*		DS
fenestralis	L	windowed, from fenestra;[7] fenestrate	Beccariophoenix fenestralis	H	DS
ferax	L	fruitful[7]	Fargesia ferax*	H	DS
ferox	L	fierce[7]	Aconitum ferox, Datura ferox	H	DS	C[43]
ferreus	L	iron[7]	Mesua ferrea	H	DS
ferrugineus	L	rusty, from ferrugo[7]	Lasiopetalum ferrugineum	H	DS	C[134]
fertilis	L	fertile[7]	Sporobolus fertilis	H	DS
ferus	L	feral[7]	none		DS
festivus	L	pretty;[7] festive	Begonia festiva	H	D
festalis				H	D
fibrosus	L	fibrous, from fibra[7]	Dicksonia fibrosa	H	DS
fibrillosus				H	DS
fictus	L	false[7]	Brachyotum fictum		D
filamentosus	L	filamented or filiform, from filum, filament[7]	Caladenia filamentosa	H	DS
filiformis					DS	C[38]
filarius				H	D
filifer					D	C[55]
filicinus	L	fern, from filix.[7] (Also filiculoides.)[4][121]	Azolla filiculoides	H	DS
fimbriatus	L	fringed, from fimbriae, fringe[7]	Corybas fimbriatus, Eremaea fimbriata	H	DS
fimbriatulus					D	C[135]
firmus	L	firm[7]	Aconitum firmum	H	DS
fissilis	L	fissured;[7] with fissures	Melaleuca fissurata	H	DS
fissuratus				H	DS
fissus				H	DS
fistulosus	L	hollow, from fistula, tube[7]	Allium fistulosum	H	DS	C[90]
flabellatus	L	fanned-out, from flabellum[7]	Hymenophyllum flabellatum, Eremophila flabellata	H	DS	C[54]
flabellifer				H	D
flabelliformis				H	DS
flaccidus	L	limp, from flacceo;[7] flaccid. (Also flaccus.)[70]	Yucca flaccida, Caladenia flaccida	H	DS	C[67]
flagellum	L	whip.[7] (Also flagellifer.)[70]	Rubus flagellaris		DS
flagellaris				H	DS
flagelliformis				H	DS
flammula	L	flame[7]	Alloxylon flammeum, Melaleuca flammea		D
flammeus				H	DS
flavus	L	yellow[7]	Glaucium flavum	H	DS	C[23]
flavissimus	L	bright yellow	Zephyranthes flavissima*	H	D
flavescens	L	light yellow, from flavesco[7]	Diuris flavescens	H	DS	C[136]
flavens				H	D
flaveolus				H	DS
flavidus				H	DS
flexilis	L	flexible[7]	Pinus flexilis	H	DS	C[104]
flexuosus	L	twisted;[7] flexuous	Agonis flexuosa, Thelymitra flexuosa	H	DS	C[89]
floccosus	L	woolly, from floccus, a lock of hair[7]	Limnanthes floccosa	H	DS
flocculosus				H	D
flocciger				H	D
floribundus	L	flower-abundant, from abundo, to abound[7]	Myoporum floribundum	H	DS	C[137]
floridus	L	flowery[7]	Cornus florida	H	DS	C[138]
florifer				H	DS	C[42]
fluitans	L	floating, from fluito[7]	Glyceria fluitans	H	DS
fluviatilis	L	river[7]	Melaleuca fluviatilis	H	DS	C[83]
fluvialis				H	D
foeminus	L	feminine	Lysimachia foemina		DS
foetidus	L	fetid, from foedo[7]	Passiflora foetida	H	DS	C[139]
foetidissimus	L	most fetid	Iris foetidissima	H	D
foliosus	L	leafy, from folium[7]	Narcissus foliosus, Lepidium foliosum	H	DS	C[140]
foliatus				H	DS
foliaceus				H	DS
foliolosus	L	leaflet, from folio;[10] with folioles	Melaleuca foliolosa	H	DS
foliolotus				H	D
follicularis	L	follicled, from folliculus, a small bag[7]	Cephalotus follicularis	H	DS
fontanus	L	fountain[7]	Asplenium fontanum, Cerastium fontanum	H	DS
fontinalis					DS
formosus	L	beautiful[7]	Calothamnus formosus	H	DS	C[54]
foveolatus	L	dimpled, from fovea, a small pit;[7] foveolate	Cryptocarya foveolata, Chionanthus foveolatus	H	DS
fragilis	L	fragile[7]	Opuntia fragilis	H	DS	C[141]
fragrans	L	fragrant[7]	Myristica fragrans	H	DS	C[54]
fragrantissimus	L	most fragrant	Lonicera fragrantissima	H	D	C[142]
frigidus	L	frigid[7] (the habitat)	Petasites frigidus	H	DS	C[81]
frondosus	L	leafy;[7] with fronds	Bidens frondosa	H	DS	C[143]
frumentaceus	L	grain, from frumentum[7]	Echinochloa frumentacea		D
fruticosus	L	shrubby[7]	Phlomis fruticosa	H	DS	C[53]
frutescens				H	DS	C[108]
fruticans				H	D	C[113]
fruticulosus				H	D
fruticicola	L	shrubland. (Also fruticola.)[4]	Bulbophyllum fruticicola, Henckelia fruticola*		D
fucatus	L	painted[7]	Trifolium fucatum	H	DS
fugax	L	fleeting;[7] fugacious	Fontainea fugax	H	DS
fulgens	L	shining[7]	Fuchsia fulgens	H	DS	C[23]
fulgidus				H	DS	C[144]
fuliginosus	L	sooty[7]	Caladenia fuliginosa	H	DS
fullonum	L	of fullers	Dipsacus fullonum		D
fulvus	L	tawny[7]	Iris fulva, Caladenia fulva	H	DS	C[139]
fulvidus	L	light tawny	Austroderia fulvida	H	DS	C[145]
fulvescens				H	DS
fumidus	L	smoky[7]	Thismia fumida*		DS
fumosus	L	smoky	Senegalia fumosa*		DS
funebris	L	funereal[7]	Cupressus funebris	H	D
fungosus	L	fungal, from fungus[7]	Balanophora fungosa	H	DS
funiculatus	L	cord, from funiculus;[7] funicled	Arenaria funiculata		DS
furcatus	L	forked, from furca;[7] furcate	Iris furcata	H	DS
furcans				H	D
furfuraceus	L	scaly, from furfures, bran[7]	Zieria furfuracea		DS	C[146]
furiens	L	maddening, from furio[7]	Cirsium furiens*		D
fuscus	L	dark brown[7]	Prasophyllum fuscum	H	DS	C[60]
fuscatus				H	DS
fusiformis	L	spindle-shaped, from fusus[7]	Billardiera fusiformis		DS
futilis	L	useless[7]	Bulbophyllum futile	H	D
galactinus	G	milky	Rhododendron galactinum		D
galanthus	G	milky-flowered	Allium galanthum	H	DS
galeatus	L	helmeted[7]	Verticordia galeata	H	DS
galericulatus				H	DS
gelidus	L	frigid[7]	Campanula gelida	H	DS
geminatus	L	paired, from geminus, twin-born[7]	Quercus geminata		DS
gemmatus	L	budding, from gemma, bud[7]	Caladenia gemmata	H	DS
gemmifer				H	DS
geniculatus	L	jointed;[7] bent	Geum geniculatum	H	DS
geocarpus	G	buried-fruit	Macrotyloma geocarpum		DS
geometricus	L	geometrical[7]	Weinmannia geometrica*		D
geometrizans	G	geometrical	Myrtillocactus geometrizans		D
gibbus	L	gibbous;[7] humped	Utricularia gibba	H	DS
gibberosus				H	D
gibbosus				H	DS
gigas	L	giant[7]	Goniothalamus giganteus		DS	C[71]
giganteus				H	DS
gilvus	L	light yellow[7]	Quercus gilva	H	DS
glaber	L	smooth[7] (feminine glabra, neuter glabrum)	Calothamnus glaber	H	DS	C[106]
glabellus				H	DS
glaberrimus	L	smoothest	Melaleuca glaberrima		D	C[147]
glabrescens	L	balding	Adenanthos glabrescens, Leptospermum glabrescens, Kunzea glabrescens	H	DS	C[11]
glabriusculus	L	semi-smooth	Atriplex glabriuscula	H	DS	C[100]
glabratus				H	DS
glacialis	L	glacial[7]	Epacris glacialis	H	DS
gladiiformis	L	sword, from gladius[7]	Lepidosperma gladiatum		D
gladiatus				H	D
glandiformis	L	glandular. (Also glanduliger.)[148]	Anopterus glandulosus		D	C[53]
glandulosus				H	DS
glandulifer				H	DS
glaphyrus	G	polished	Erica glaphyra*		D
glaucus	L	glaucous[7]	Casuarina glauca, Monotoca glauca, Cyathodes glauca	H	DS
glaucoides					D	C[91]
glaucescens	L	glaucescent	Iris glaucescens	H	DS	C[149]
glischrus	G	sticky	Ageratina glischra*		D
globifer	L	globe-bearing, from globus, globe[7]	Melaleuca globifera	H	DS	C[127]
globulifer				H	DS
globosus	L	globe.[7] (Also globulus.)[149]	Physaria globosa, Gomphrena globosa	H	DS	C[57]
globularis				H	DS
globulosus				H	DS
glomeratus	L	globular, from glomero[7]	Campanula glomerata	H	DS
glomerulatus					DS	C[59]
gloriosus	L	glorious[7]	Wahlenbergia gloriosa	H	D	C[38]
glumaceus	L	glumed	Conospermum glumaceum	H	DS
glutinosus	L	glutinous, from gluten, glue[7]	Alnus glutinosa, Salvia glutinosa	H	DS	C[105]
gongylodes	G	bulbous	Cissus gongylodes*	H	DS
goniocalyx	G	angled-calyx	Eucalyptus goniocalyx	H	DS
gracilis	L	slender[7]	Marsippospermum gracile, Prasophyllum gracile, Cautleya gracilis	H	DS	C[102]
gracilentus				H	D
gracilior	L	more graceful	Afrocarpus gracilior		D
gracillimus	L	most graceful	Caladenia gracillima		D
gramineus	L	grassy[7]	Iris graminea, Pterostylis graminea	H	DS	C[150]
grammopetalus	G	striped-petal, from grammo[10]	Potentilla grammopetala*		D
grandis	L	large[7]	Banksia grandis, Micromyrtus grandis	H	DS	C[151]
graniticus	L	granite	Calothamnus graniticus	H	DS
granulatus	L	granular, from granum[7]	Zieria granulata	H	DS
granulosus				H	DS
gratus	L	gratifying[7]	Encephalartos gratus	H	DS
gratissimus	L	most gratifying	Croton gratissimus	H	D
graveolens	L	strong-smelling[7]	Durio graveolens	H	DS	C[14]
griseus	L	grey	Eucalyptus grisea	H	DS	C[152]
grosseserratus	L	saw-toothed, from serratus, serrated.[7] Stearn hyphenates grosse-serratus.	Veronica grosseserrata*	H	DS	C[114]
grossus	L	coarse; large	Banksia grossa, Eucalyptus grossa	H	DS
gruinus	L	crane, from grus[7]	Erodium gruinum*		D
gummifer	L	gummy	Ceratopetalum gummiferum	H	D
gummosus				H	DS
guttatus	L	spotted, from gutta[7]	Tuberaria guttata	H	DS	C[153]
gymnocarpus	G	naked-fruited	Rosa gymnocarpa	H	DS
gyrans	L	circling, from gyrus[7]	Andropogon gyrans		DS
habrotrichus	G	soft-haired	Alseodaphne habrotricha*		D
haematodes	G	bloody. (Also haematacanthus.)[112]	Ferocactus haematacanthus, Cymbidium haematodes*	H	D
halophilus	G	salt-loving	Iris halophila	H	DS
hamatus	L	hooked[7]	Nepenthes hamata	H	DS
hamosus				H	DS
hastatus	L	spear, from hastatus;[7] hastate	Salix hastata, Caladenia hastata	H	DS	C[84]
hastilis					DS
hastulatus				H	D
hastifer	L	spear-bearing	Thelocactus hastifer		DS
hebecarpus	G	fuzzy-fruited	Senna hebecarpa	H	D	C[52]
helix	G	helix	Hedera helix	H	D
helodes	G	marsh	Echinochloa helodes*	H	D
helvolus	L	light yellow-brown	Strophostyles helvola	H	D
hemisphaericus	L	hemispherical, from sphaera, sphere[7]	Quercus hemisphaerica	H	DS
hemitrichotus	G	half-hairy	Rhododendron hemitrichotum*		D
hepaticus	G	liver-coloured	Anemone hepatica	H	S
heptaphyllus	G	seven-leaved	Ipomoea heptaphylla	H	DS	C[148]
herbaceus	L	herbaceous, from herba, herb[7]	Smilax herbacea	H	DS	C[95]
hesperus	G	western	Parietaria hespera		D
heterolepis	G	diverse-scaled	Sporobolus heterolepis		D	C[154]
heterophyllus	G	diverse-leaved	Cistus heterophyllus	H	DS	C[99]
heterochromus	G	diverse-coloured	Utricularia heterochroma		D
heterodoxus	G	non-generic	Heliamphora heterodoxa	H	D
heteromorphus	G	diverse-formed; heteromorphic	Dypsis heteromorpha		D
hexagonus	G	hexagonal	Iris hexagona	H	DS
hexandrus	G	six-stamened	Leersia hexandra	H	DS	C[64]
hians	L	wide-open, from hio, to gape[7]	Salvia hians	H	DS
hibernus	L	winter[7]	Austrocactus hibernus*		DS
hiemalis	L	winter.[7] (Also hyemalis.)[4][155]	Caladenia hiemalis	H	DS	C[138]
hieroglyphicus	G	hieroglyphic	Vriesea hieroglyphica		D
hircinus	L	goat[7]	Hypericum hircinum	H	DS
hirsutus	L	hairy;[7] hirsute	Calothamnus hirsutus, Stapelia hirsuta	H	DS	C[77]
hirsutulus				H	D
hirsutissimus	L	hairiest	Lupinus hirsutissimus	H	D	C[94]
hirtus	L	hairy[7]	Mimetes hirtus	H	DS	C[144]
hirtellus				H	D
hispidus	L	bristly;[7] hispid. (Also hispidulus.)[48]	Acalypha hispida	H	DS	C[109]
holocarpus	G	whole-carpelled; whole-fruited	Atriplex holocarpa		DS
hololeucus	G	all-white	Artemisia hololeuca*		D
holosericeus	G	silk-covered	Melaleuca holosericea	H	D
homolepis	G	evenly scaled	Abies homolepis		D	C[151]
horizontalis	G	horizontal	Cotoneaster horizontalis	H	DS	C[103]
horridus	L	prickly[7]	Banksia horrida, Hakea horrida	H	DS
hortensis	L	garden, from hortus.[7] (Also hortensius.)[156]	Anemone hortensis	H	DS	C[118]
hortorum				H	DS
hortulanus				H	DS
humifusus	L	humifuse; low-spreading, from humus, ground,[7] and fusus, spread out[7]	Opuntia humifusa, Scaevola humifusa, Boronia humifusa	H	DS	C[157]
humilis	L	low[7]	Jasminum humile, Rivina humilis, Allocasuarina humilis	H	DS	C[43]
hyalinus	L	glass, from hyalus;[7] hyaline	Melica hyalina	H	DS
hybridus	L	hybrid, from hybrida, mongrel[7]	Trifolium hybridum	H	DS	C[158]
hylaeus	G	forest	Theobroma hylaeum*	H	D
hylophilus	G	forest-loving	Piper hylophilum		D
hymenodes	G	filmy	Alsophila hymenodes		D
hyperboreus	G	far northern[7]	Bidens hyperborea	H	DS
hypochon­driacus	G	melancholy	Amaranthus hypochondriacus	H	D	C[45]
hypogaeus	G	underground	Arachis hypogaea	H	DS
hypoglaucus	G	glaucous-backed	Cissus hypoglauca	H	DS
hypokerina	G	waxy-backed	Berberis hypokerina		D
hypophaeus	G	dark-backed	Quercus hypophaea		DS
hypoleucus	G	white-backed	Lobelia hypoleuca	H	DS
hypophyllus	G	hypophyllous	Phyllocladus hypophyllus	H	DS
hystrix	G	porcupine	Schizolaena hystrix	H	D	C[36]

See also

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• Glossary of botanical terms
• List of Greek and Latin roots in English
• List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
• List of plant genus names with etymologies: A–C, D–K, L–P, Q–Z
• List of plant genera named for people: A–C, D–J, K–P, Q–Z
• List of plant family names with etymologies

Notes

1. Words in the third column following "from" are related words from Classical Latin. The Latin and Latinised Greek words in the first column have masculine endings. If the genus is feminine, the -us ending generally becomes -a, -is is unchanged, and -er becomes -era, or occasionally -ra, as noted; other endings remain unchanged. For a neuter genus, -us becomes -um, -is becomes -e and -er becomes -erum, or occasionally -rum.
2. The arrow provides a link to the table row that describes the species epithet.
3. Since all of the references cited in the table except Coombes arrange their species epithets alphabetically, citations with page numbers are provided only for Coombes, and each source in the table except for Coombes is always represented by the same superscript.
4. Red links for species are followed by an asterisk linking to the genus.
5. The -um ending here denotes a genitive plural noun.
6. Harrison and Bayton list an -erus ending for many -fer and -ger epithets; Stearn occasionally gives an -ers ending.
7. The suffix -ulus and other diminutives can mean, among other things, "little" or "a little";^[44] the exact meanings are beyond the scope of this list.