Download The Meaning of Latin Plant Names

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The Meaning of Latin Plant Names
The adjective applied to the plant, the specific epithet, is often helpful in describing the plant. The specific epithet can tell us the colour of
the flowers, the height of the plant, whether the leaves are long and thin or short and fat, whether the plant is prickly, where it comes from…
These are some of the Latin specific epithets often applied to plants we grow in our gardens.
alba = white
altissima = tallest
america = from America
annua = annual
arboricola = living on trees
arenaria = from sandy places
aurantiaca = orange
aurea = golden, yellow
azurea = blue
barbata = bearded, hairy
campestris = of the field
canadensis = from Canada
canariensis = from the Canary Isles
coccinea = red
-flora = -flowered
foetida = with an unpleasant smell
-folia = -leave
foliosa = leafy
grandiflora = large-flowered
grandis = big
japonica = from Japan
longiflora = with long flowers
longifolia = with long leaves
lutea = yellow
magenta = magenta
maritima = maritime, near the sea
maxima = biggest
mexicana = from Mexico
millefolia = with many (thousands of) leaves
minima = small
montana = from mountains
multiflora = many flowered
nocturna = nocturnal
odorata = perfumed
officinalis = with herbal uses
perennis = perennial
pulverulenta = dusty
rivalis = from near rivers
rosea = rose pink
russica = from Russia
sanguinea = blood-red
semperviva = perennial
spinosa = spiny
sylvestris = of woods
sylvatica- wild
violacea = violet
viridis = green
viscosa = sticky
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The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography.
Meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of years, and has been practiced in traditional cultures throughout Europe,
Asia, and the Middle East.
Todas las flores cuentan con un lenguaje propio, y con cada una de ellas podemos transmitir un mensaje diferente. Desde la
antigüedad, las flores han sido una vía para dar a conocer y transmitir sentimientos de muchas clases. El lenguaje de las flores
tiene sus orígenes en Oriente y se ha transmitido de generación en generación y de cultura en cultura, pasando por el Antiguo
Egipto, la Edad Media, el Renacimiento, etc hasta llegar al Romanticismo, época en la que tuvo su máximo apogeo.
English flower names
French flower names
Latin flower names
Meaning of flowers
B.
Balm
Basil,
Melisse citronelle,
Basilic,
Melissa officinalis,
Ocimum,
Joke.
Hatred.
C.
Cactus,
Cherry-tree,
Chestnut-tree,
Cypress
Cactier,
Cerisier,
Chataignier,
Cyprès,
Cactus,
Cerasus,
Castanea
Cupressus,
Maternal love.
Education.
Justice.
Mourning.
D.
Daffodil, common,
Dahlia,
Daisy, double,
Daisy, single,
Daisy, wild,
Narcisse des près,
Dahlia,
Paquerette double,
Paquerette simple
Marguerite des près,
Narcissus sylvestris,
Dahlia,
Dellis hortensis,
Bellis simplex,
Bellis perennis,
Deceitful hopes.
Novelty.
Affection.
Innocence.
Dost thou love me?
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E.
Everlasting,
Gnaphale,
Gnaphalium,
Perpetual remembrances.
G.
Geranium, rose,
Geranium, scarlet,
Grass,
Géernium rose,
Géranium écarlate,
Gazon,
Geranium roseum,
Geranium coccineum,
Gramen,
Preference.
Stupidity.
Utility.
H.
Hazel,
Holly,
Hornbeam
Noisettier,
Houx,
Charme,
Corylus,
Ilex,
Carpinus,
Reconciliation.
Forecast.
Ornament.
I.
Iris,
Iris,
Iris,
Message.
J.
Japan rose,
Jessamine, Spanish,
Camellia,
Jasmin d’Espagne,
Camellia japonica,
Jasminum grandiflorum,
Gratitude.
Sensuality.
L.
Larch,
Laurel,
Lilac, white,
Mélèze,
Laurier franc,
Lilas blanc,
Pinus Larix
Laurus,
Lilac alba,
Audacity.
Glory.
Youth.
N.
Narcissus, white,
Narcisse des poétes,
Narcissus poeticus,
Selfishness.
O.
Olive,
Olivier,
Oliva,
Peace.
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Fleur d’oranger,
Oranger,
Flos aurantii,
Aurantium,
Chasity.
Generosity.
Persil,
Menthe poivrée,
Ananas,
Apium,
Mentha piperita,
Bromelia ananas,
Feast.
Warmth of feeling.
Perfection.
Rose,
Rose blanche
Rose jaune,
Rosa,
Rosa alba,
Rosa lutea,
Beauty.
Silence.
Infidelity.
S.
Sage,
Sunflower,
Sauge,
(sic) Soleil, (Tournesol)
Salvia,
Helianthus,
Esteem.
False riches.
T.
Thyme,
Tulip
Thym,
Tulipe,
Thymus,
Tulipia,
Activity.
Declaration of love.
V.
Violet, sweet,
Violet, white,
Violette odorante,
Violette blanche,
Viola odorata,
Viola alba,
Modesty.
Candor.
W.
Water-lily, white,
Nénuphar blanc,
Nymphæa alba,
Eloquence.
Orange-blossom,
Orange-tree,
P.
Parsley,
Peppermint,
Pineapple,
R.
Rose,
Rose, white,
Rose, yellow,
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Etimology and history of …
HISTORIA Y ETIMOLOGÍA DEL NOMBRE DE LAS PLANTAS
1- La menta: La hoja de la menta se ha usado para trastornos estomacales /intestinales y para la enfermedad de la vesícula.
El nombre científico de menta (Mentha x piperita) se deriva del nombre Mintha, una ninfa de la mitología griega quien se
transformó en la planta y del latín piper que significa "pimienta".
1- Mentha (also known as Mint, from Greek míntha. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs.
Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow]The flowers are white to purple.
2- Rose
A Norman form of a Germanic name, which was composed of the elements hrod "fame" and heid "kind, sort, type". The Normans
introduced it to England in the forms Roese and Rohese. From an early date it was associated with the word for the fragrant flower
rose (derived from Latin rosa). When the name was revived in the 19th century, it was probably with the flower in mind.
3- Narcissus Derived from ναρκη (narke) meaning "sleep, numbness". Narkissos was a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who
stared at his own reflection for so long that he eventually died and was turned into the narcissus flower.
This name appears briefly in the epistles in the New Testament and was also borne by a few early saints, including a 2nd-century
patriarch of Jerusalem. It has been used to the present, especially in Catholic regions, usually in honour of the saint as opposed to
the mythological character.
4- Violet Pronunciation: VIY-ə-lit
From the Old French violette, a diminutive form of viole, which is derived from the Latin
viola (a violet). The name has been in use since the Middle Ages but did not become common until the middle of the 19th century
6when the use of flower names came into vogue.
5- Jasmine
The scientific name of jasmine is Jasminum officinale. It is called as chameli in Hindi language. Delicate jasmine flowers are
shaped like stars and have a floral-fruity fragrance which is so exotic that it fills the air around it with passion and love. If the rose
is considered as the “Queen of Flowers”, jasmine is considered as the “King of Flowers”.
According to botanical history and symbolism, jasmine flowers were first introduced by Arabs who used to call them “Yasmyn”
flowers; therefore, Among the Chinese culture, jasmine is famous for its green tea which is one of their favorite drinks.
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6- Daisy
Pronunciation: DAY-zee
Derived from the Old English dæges eage (day's eye) in reference to its round yellow center re-sembling the sun.
Daisy is also a nickname for Margaret, used because Marguerite, the French version of that name.
7- Geranium is the correct botanical name of the separate genus that contains the related Cranesbills.
One can make the distinction between the two by looking at the flowers : Geranium has symmetrical flowers, while Pelargonium
has irregular or maculate petals. The name “cranesbill” derives from the appearance of the seed-heads, which have the same
shape as the bill of a Crane. The genus name is derived from the Greek word geranos, meaning ‘crane’.
8-Basil The term "basil" derives from the greek word Basilikos meaning "herb worth of kings".
Since the times of Egyptians, who used it as an ingredient for the preparation for mummification. In the Middle Age, it was
believed to have magic properties.
Tulsi, can keep evil spirits away while attracting divine blessings. The leaves are used during religious ceremonies dedicated to
Vishnu, in particular the ones in favor of family wellness.
Sacred Hindu writings suggested to consider tulsi as a natural representation of the gods Vishnu or Krishna.
9-Sunflower The name "sunflower" originates from the Greek helios meaning "sun" and anthos meaning "flower," since these
flowers always turn towards the sun. In 1532 Francisco Pizarro fought his way into Peru, where he found a giant sunflower being
worshipped as a sacred image of a sun-god by the natives of the Inca empire.
10. Parsley is used to treat respiratory infections and conditions of the skin and eyes.
Pedanius Dioscorides, the ancient Greek physician and botanist believed parsley seeds to be diuretic, facilitating the start of
menstruation, and an aid in relieving discomforts of the stomach and abdomen.
Ancient Romans placed necklaces of parsley around their necks, believing it absorbed sweat and body odors.
The Greeks have a saying "Just like parsley," referring to someone who appears everywhere, but without a significant role.
Charles Robert Darwin (12 de febrero de 1809 – 19 de abril de 1882) fue un naturalista inglés que postuló que todas las
especies de seres vivos han evolucionado con el tiempo a partir de un antepasado común mediante un proceso denominado
selección natural. La evolución fue aceptada como un hecho por la comunidad científica y por buena parte del público en vida de
Darwin.
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