LATIN & BIOLOGICAL TERMINOLOGY
abaxial. away from the axis. the lower surface of the leaf. dorsal.
abaxial. on the side or face away from an axis or branch
acadiensis. of nova Scotia, Canada
acanthos. horn
accepted name. name accepted by an author when he proposed or adopts it as the correct
name for a taxon.
acer. pungent
acerose. needle-shaped; sharp.
acicular. long, narrow and cylindrical. needle-shaped.
acicularis. needle-shaped
acre. pungent.
acris. pungent
acris. sharp-pointed
acrocaulous. with terminal branches.
acropetal. developing upward, toward apex. the development of organs in succession towards
an apex, the oldest at the base, the youngest at the tip.
acroscopic. facing apically.
actimorphic. flowers with radial symmetry and parts arranged at one level, with definite numbers
of parts and size.
actino. rayed. star-like.
aculeate. prickly; with coarse teeth or sharp spine-like emergences
acuminate apex. apex drawn out into a long slender tail.
acuminate. having a gradually diminishing point. tapering gradually to a point
acute apex. pointed in the form of an acute angle
acute. margins straight to convex forming a terminal angle. tapering sharply to a point
ad. toward, against
adaptive character. characters that respond to the changing environmental situation enabling
the organism to survive by an alternation of structure and/or function.
adaxial. next to the axis. facing the stem. ventral. the side, usually the uppermost, of a lateral
adjacent to the axis. on the side or face next to an axis or branch
adherent. with unlike parts of organs joined, but only superficially and without actual histological
continuity. closely attached
adjoined. joined together, weakly or tightly.
admissible name. name having such a form that it can enter into botanical nomenclature and be
validly published.
adnate. attached the whole length. with unlike parts or organs integrally fused to one another
with histological continuity.
adpressed. lying flat for the whole length of the organ
advance characters. characters possessed by present day taxon not possessed by its
ancestors.
adventitious. arising in an irregular manner or from an abnormal position
aegagropilous. free and more or less spherical
aegyptiacus. of Egypt.
aeneus. brassy green. bronze
aerial. above the ground or water. in the air.
aestivalis. pertaining to summer.
aestivus. pertaining to summer.
aetnaeus. pertaining to Mt. Etna.
affinis. related
africanus. of Africa.
agrestis. pertaining to fields or cultivated land.
ala. wing.
alabamensis. of Alabama.
alate. winged.
alatus. winged
albescens. turning white.
albicans. whitish.
albidus. whitish.
albolutescens. whitish-yellow
albus, alba, album. white
aleppicus. of aleppo, n. Syria.
allegheniensis. of the Alleghenies.
alpinus, alpestris, of the Alps.
alsodes. of woods.
altamaha. the altamaha river.
alternate. one leaf or other structure per node; placed singly, with change of side; not opposite;
branches arise at different levels successively on opposite sides of the stem
alternative name. names, two or more, published at the same time by the same author for the
same taxon.
alticaulis. tall-stemmed.
altissimus. very tall; high
altrorubens. dark red
altroviolaceus. dark violet
altrovirens. dark green.
altus, alt, alti. tall.
altus. tall; high
alveolar. pitted or with cavities
amabilis. lovely.
ambi. around, round about.
americanus. of America.
amoenus. lovely; pleasing
amorphic. flowers without symmetry; usually with an indefinite number of stamens and carpels,
and usually subtended by bracts or discoloured upper leaves
amphi. around, on both sides of; double, of two kinds.
amphibius. living in water and on land.
ampliate. enlarged; dilated.
amurensis. of the Amur river.
analogous characters. characters similar but not having a common ancestral origin.
analytic character. characters used in identification, characterisation and delimitation of taxa.
anastomose. communicating by cross-connexions; to join by cross connections
anatomical evidence. characters associated primarily with tissues and cell development.
anceps. two-headed or edged.
ancipate. two edged
ancipital. two-edged.
ancipitous. two-edged.
andro. male
androgynous. having stamens and ovaries in distinct parts of the same inflorescence; having
male and female organs in, or in the same branch of the thallus.
anemo. pertaining to wind.
anglicus, of England.
angustate. narrow
angustatus. narrow; slender.
angusti. narrow
aniso. uneven, unequal.
annular. ring-like
annulate. ring-like
annuus. annual
anomalus. abnormal
ante. before, in front of.
anthera. anther.
anthos. flower.
anticlinal. at right angles to the surface
antrorse. bent or directed upward.
apical
apical cell. terminal initial cell of a filament or thallus
apical margin. margin of plant entirely comprising apical cells
apiculate. narrowing suddenly to a broad point at the apex; with a short and sharp point ; ending
in a short, short point.
apiculus. a short point at the end of spore; a short point formed by the elongation of a vein.
apo. from; away from, down.
apodus. without a foot; sessile
apogeny. sterility.
apomixis (ap.). apomict.
appressed. adpressed; pressed closely
aquaticus, growing in water.
aquilonius. northern
arabicus. of Arabia.
arachnoid. cobwebby.
archae. old; primitive
arche. old; primitive
arcuate. curved like a crescent, can be downward or upward; bent like the arc of a circle; bent
like a bow; curved like the arc of a circle
arenarius. growing on sand.
arenicola. dweller in sandy places.
argenteus. silvery.
argentinus. of Argentina.
argyreus. silvery.
argyro. silvery.
arillus. fleshy growth.
aristatus. awned.
aromaticus. aromatic or spicy
articulate. forming joints
articulation. when a thallus consists of a chain of cells, each cell is called an articulation
artificial name. name used for a group consisting of specimens that are judged to be too
incomplete for taxonomic disposition but are brought together for convenience by the available
characteristics, and treated for nomenclatural purposes as a taxon of a particular kind; e.g. an
artificial genus. used principally for fossils, and as an opposite to natural.
artificial system.. a strictly utilitarian system based on habit, colour, form or other characters of a
similar type
arvensis. pertaining to fields, especially plowed fields.
asiaticus. Asian.
asperous. having a rough surface.
assimilatory. containing chromatophores and presumably the site of photosynthesis
assurgent. curving upwards; said of some horizontal filaments which turn upwards
assurgent. directed upward or forward; curving upwards; said of some horizontal filaments
which turn upwards
astipitate. not having a stipe
astro. stellate, star-like
atlanticus, of the Atlantic.
atri. black
atro. black.
atropurpureus. dark purple.
atrorubens. dark red.
atroviolaceus. dark violet.
attenuate. slender, thin, tapering
auctorum not (auct. non) not of author(s).
aurantiacus. yellowish-orange.
aureus. golden yellow.
australiensis. of australia.
australis. southern, from the southern hemisphere.
austriacus, of austria.
austrinus. southern.
austro-carolinianus, of s. carolina.
austromontanus. of the southern mountains.
autonym. an automatically created tautonym for infrageneric or infraspecific taxa.
autumnalis. pertaining to fall or autumn.
available name. name or epithet that applies to a particular taxon and can be used for it.
axial filament. the central filament of a thallus or its branch; longitudinally down the centre of the
thallus
axil. the angle between an axis and a branch; angle between axis and an organ
axillaris. growing in an axil
axis. the main stem-like part of a thallus; the central portion of the thallus
azureus. sky-blue.
babylonicus. of babylon.
baccate. juicy and very succulent.
baccatus. berry-like
bad characters. characters not easily recognizable, or have a wide range of expression and are
seemingly not genetically fixed.
barba. beard.
barbadensis. of barbados.
barbatus. bearded
basal or radical. at the bottom or base of a structure.
basicaulous. with basal branches.
basionym. name-bringing or epithet-bringing synonym; the original name of a taxon now used in
a new combination; a specific or infraspecific epithet that has priority and is retained when
transferred to a new or different taxon. eg. cypripedium pubescens willd.==> cypripedium
calceolus var.pubescens (willd.).; liquidambar peregrina l. ===> comptonia peregrina (l.) coulter.
basipetal. developing downward toward base.
basipetal. growth in the direction of the base; the development of organs in succession towards
the base, the youngest at the base, the oldest at the tip
basiscopic. facing basally
bavaricus. of bavaria.
beard. a tuft, line or zone of trichomes.
bermudensis. of bermuda.
biduous. lasting two days.
biennis. biennial
biferous. appearing twice yearly.
bifid. cut or divided into two lobes or parts.
bifid. divided into 2, usually by a v-shaped notch
bifurcate. divided into two branches or forks
binate. twinned.
biological characters. characters related to some vital function or behaviour.
biosystematics. the field of study dealing with variation and evolution, primarily experimental and
analytical, and mostly treating the species and infraspecific taxa.
bipalmately compound. with two orders of leaflets, each palmately compound.
bipinnate. when both primary and secondary divisions are pinnate; twice divided pinnately
bipinnately compound. with two orders of leaflets, each pinnately compound.
biseriate. consisting, wholly or in part, of two rows of cells in longitudinal series
biserrate margin. doubly serrate.
bisexual. both sexes in same flower.
biternate. with two orders of leaflets, each ternately compound.
blade. flat, expanded portion of leaf.
bonariensis. of buenos aires.
borealis. northern.
botry. bunch
botuliform. sausage-shaped.
brachy. short.
branchlet. small branches or ultimate branches; the next division of a branch; a small secondary
branch
brasiliensis. of brazil
brevi. short.
brevibarbis. with short beard.
brevicaudatus. short tail-like appendage.
brevipilis. short-haired.
brevis, breve. short.
bristle. a stiff, strong trichome, as in the perianth of some members of the Cyperaceae.
bristly. beset with bristles.
brunnescens. becoming deep brown.
bullate. puckered or blistered.
bullate. with a bulging or puckering of the surface; blistered; with the surface appearing swollen
and blistered
burmanicus. of burma.
byssoid. composed of fine threads
cacullus. hood
caducous. dropping off very early, usually applied to floral parts.
caducous. soon falling off
caducus. falling off or dropping early.
caerulescens. becoming deep blue.
caeruleus. deep blue; sky-blue.
caesius. lavender; bluish-grey
caespitose. turfed
caespitosus. growing in tufts or patches.
calcar. spur.
calcarate. spurred.
calcaratus. bearing spurs.
calcareus. chalk-white
calceolus. a small shoe.
californicus. of california.
callo. beautiful.
callositas. callosity.
calyptra. the thickened membrane of the end cell
campanulatus. bell-shaped.
campestris. growing in fields.
canadensis. of Canada.
canariensis. of the canary islands.
candicans. becoming pure white
candicans. whitish.
candidus. shining white.
canescens. becoming greyish or hoary.
canescent or incanous. covered with dense, fine greyish-white trichomes.
canescent. covered with dense, fine grayish-white trichomes.
canio. pertaining to dogs.
cantabrigiensis. of Cambridge.
capensis. of the cape of good hope.
capillaceus. slender; hair-like
capillary. slender, hair-like
capillate. hair-shaped.
capitate. pin-headed; enlarged at the tip
capitatus. growing in heads
cardia. pertaining to a heart.
cardinalis. cardinal-red.
caribaeus. west Indies.
carina. keel
carneus. flesh-coloured.
carnose or sarcous. fleshy.
carpo. pertaining to fruit; fruit.
carpophyll. a carpel
carthagensis. of carthage.
cartilaginous. of firm and elastic texture; hard, tough and elastic
caryo. nut-like.
castaneus. chestnut colored.
catawbiensis. from Catawba.
catenate. in the form of a chain
catta. below.
caudate apex. apex drawn out into a long slender tail.
caudatus. tailed.
cauline or ramous leaves. leaves more or less evenly distributed on stem or branch.
caulis. stem
caulous. with branches more or less evenly spaced along trunk.
centri. one hundred
centrifugal. developing from the inside outward. from top downward.
centripetal. developing from the outside inward. from bottom upward.
ceraceous. waxy.
cerato. horn-like.
cercicorn. antler-like
cernuous. drooping
cernuus. nodding or drooping.
cespitose stem. short, much-branched, plant forming a cushion.
chalaza. a lump.
channelled. shaped like a shallow u in t.s.
chartaceous. papery, opaque and thin.
chemical evidence. characters related to compounds or broad classes of compounds found in
organisms.
chilensis. of chile.
chinensis, sinensis, cathayanus. of china.
chlamydo. waring a cloak.
chloro. green.
chryso. golden.
ciliate margin. fringed with hairs.
ciliatus. fringed with hairs.
cinereus. ash gray
cinnamomeus. light reddish brown.
circumalate. winged circumferentially.
circumferential. at or near the circumference. surrounding a rounded structure.
cirrhose apex. apex ends in a tendril.
cisatlanticus. on this side of the Atlantic.
cladode (phylloclad) stem. a flattened main stem resembling a leaf.
clambering stem. sprawling across objects, without climbing structures.
clandestinus. hidden or concealed.
classification. the assignment of plants to groups within a system or hierarchy of ranks or
categories distinguished by structure, origins, and other characteristics.
clavate. club-shaped
clavellatus. shaped like small club
cleft. cut ¼-1/2 of distance of middle of structure.
co. together
coalesced. with like or unlike parts or organs incompletely separated. partially fused in a more
or less irregular fashion.
coaxial. parallel with axis, or having a common axis
coccineus. scarlet; deep red
coccoid. unicellular and rounded
cochleate. snail-shaped.
coelo. pertaining to a hollow.
coherent. with like parts or organs joined, but only superficially and without actual histological
continuity.
coleos. sheath
collicola. dweller in the hills.
collinus. dwelling or growing in the hills.
collum. neck
columna. pillar
com. together
combinatio nova (comb. nov.) combination new
combined name. name of a taxon below rank of genus consisting of the name of a genus
combined with one or more epithets.
common name. vernacular name
comose. with a tuft of trichomes, usually apical.
comosus. bearded; tufted.
complanate. flattened.
complanate. lying in one plane; flattened
compound. with leaf divided into two or more leaflets.
compressed. flattened. flattened from side to side. somewhat flattened
con. together.
conceptacle. chamber within thallus opening to the exterior through a pore or pores and
containing reproductive organs
concolor. uniform in color.
conduplicate. folded with a longitudinal groove.
confluent. becoming united to form one
confused name. name that is unclear or indistinct.
connate. with like parts or organs integrally fused to one another with histological continuity.
connivent. coming together but not fused; convergent apically without fusion.
conspecific. belonging to the same species
contiguous. touching but not adnate, connate, adherent, or coherent.
continuous characters. characters showing uniform intergradation or a cline.
contorted. twisted around a central axis; twisted.
coralloid. much-branched; looking like coral
cordate. heart-shaped
coriacellate. slightly leathery in structure.
coriaceous. thick and leathery.
corneous. horny.
corniculate. horned.
corniculte. horned. shaped like a horn
corniform. horned. shaped like a horn
cornu. horn.
cornute. horned. shaped like a horn.
cornutus. horned; having horns.
corolla. little crown.
coronate. crowned. having a corona.
coronate. with a crown.
coroniform. crown-shaped.
correct name. name that must under the rules be adopted for a taxon with a particular rank,
position and circumscription.
correctus (corr.). correct
corsicus. of corsica.
cortex. bark. cortex. the outer layers of a thallus, often of small cells. a term loosely used for the
outer regions of a thallus, with or without an enclosing epidermis
cortical cell. a cell of the outer layer (cortex) of the alga, situated immediately below the
epidermis
corticated. having a cortex
cortication. the building up, on the surface of a thallus, of a layer of small cells either by
corticating filaments which creep over it or by cells cut off from the surface cells
corymb. a flat-topped cluster. a flat-topped or convex indeterminate cluster of flowers.
corymbose. arranged in corymbs; a flat-topped branch system
costa. midrib.
costate. with a rib
costatus. ribbed.
cotyliform. cup-shaped.
cotylus. cup.
crassi. thick, short.
crenate margin. the teeth round.
crenate. with a notched edge, with obtuse or flattened teeth; scalloped or toothed with rounded
notches
crenulate. finely crenate
crested. with elevated ridge or ridges. raphal.
crispate. curled; margins divided and twisted in more than one plane.
cristate. crested.
croceus. saffron yellow.
cruentus. blood red. blood-stained.
crust. a thin, closely adherent outwardly radiating thallus, pseudoparenchymatous in structure
with laterally adjoined basal and erect filaments
crustaceous. hard and expanded, often brittle. hard, thin and brittle.
crustaceus. crust-like.
crypto. hidden
cteno. pertaining to a comb.
cucullate. hooded
cumulicola. dweller on a heap or mound.
cuneate. wedge-shaped
cuneatus. wedged.
cuspidate apex. apex ends in a long rigid sharp (spiny) point.
cyaneus. dark, deep blue.
cyano. dark blue.
cyath. cup-like.
cyclo. circular.
cylindric. long-tubular.
cymbiform. boat-shaped.
cyptic characters. characters hidden, microscopic.
cytological evidence. characters associated primarily with chromosome structure and number,
cellular organelles, and ultrastructure.
dasy. shaggy; hairy
dasystachys. wolly-spiked.
de. downwards, away from.
dealbatus. covered with white powder. whitened.
debilis. weak.
deca. ten.
decem. ten
deciduous. falling off naturally. the seasonal shedding of leaf. falling off. persistent for one
growing season.
deciduus. falling off; shedding.
declinate. directed or curved downward
decompound. a general term for leaflets in two or more orders bi, tri etc. pinnately, palmately, or
ternately compound. said of a compound leaf, when the leaflets are made up of distinct part.
decumbent stem. reclining or lying on the ground with the tips ascending; decumbent. lying flat,
but with summit ascending
decurrens. running down. elongate, extending downward. of a leaf, having the base extending
down the stem as two wings. extending along stem downward from leaf base.
decussate. said of leaves, when they are opposite, but each pair is at right angle to the one
above and below it. opposite leaves at right angle to preceding pair. in pairs alternating at right
angles
deflexed. bent sharply outwards and downwards.
deliquescent. softening and wasting away.
deltoid. shaped like an equilateral triangle
demersus. growing under water.
dendroid. tree-like
densus. thick. dense.
dentate margin. the teeth directed outwards at right angles to the margin of the leaf.
dentate. toothed
dentatus. toothed
denticulate. minutely toothed
depauperate. small and usually poorly developed.
depauperatus. reduced.
description. a characterisation; a statement of attributes of a particular taxon, individual plant or
its parts.
descriptive characters. characters used to give the features or attributes of a taxon.
desiccatus. Dried up
determinate growth. Growth of plant parts, the size of which is limited by cessation of
meristematic activity during the year
determinate. of limited growth. determinate. central flower develops first, arresting development
of primary axis.
dextrorse. rising helically from right to left, a characteristic of twining stems.
di, dis. apart from, asunder.
dia. through.
diagnostic characters. characters used to distinguish one taxon from another.
diaphanous. translucent.
dicha. in two
dichasium. a determinate, dichotomous inflorescence with the pedicels of equal length.
dichasium. cymose inflorescence in which each axis produces a pair of lateral axes.
dicho. in two
dichotomous (irregularly). forking but into two unequal parts. dichotomous. branched by
repeated forking; equally forked
dichoto-pinnate. basic branching is dichotomous but then each branch is pinnately divided
didymus. twins; in pairs.
diffluent. readily becoming liquid
difformis. irregular; unevenly formed.
diffuse. spread over a wide surface.
digitalis. pertaining to a finger.
digitate. divided into fingers
dilatatus. broadened; widened.
dilated. widened; expanded.
dimidiate. divided into unequal halves.
dioecious. with staminate and carpellate flowers on separate plants.
dioicus. dioecious; unisexual
diplo. double
dipterous. two-winged.
discoid. flat and circular
discolor. not uniform in color.
discontinuous characters. characters not showing uniform intergradation or a cline, but
separated by breaks in the continuum.
dissected. irregularly cut into numerous segments.
disseptimentum. a partition.
distal. away from the point of origin or attachment. distal. towards the outermost extremity. away
from the holdfast. the part of a structure farthest away from the point of attachment
distichous. disposed in two vertical ranks; arranged in two opposite rows. in two vertical rows.
arranged in two rows. arranged in two rows or ranks on opposite sides of an axis. leaves 2ranked, in one plane.
distromatic. composed of a layer, at least in parts, two cells in thickness. arranged in two rows
divaricate. extremely divergent. spreading at a wide angle; widely forked or separated
divergent. spreading at a moderate angle; said of branching
divided. cut 3/4 to almost entire distance to middle of structure.
dolabriform. axe-shaped.
dorsal. pertaining to the upper surface of a dorsal ventral thallus
dorsiventral. said of thalli with the dorsal and ventral surface unlike. with distinct upper and
lower surfaces
dumosus. shrubby; bushy.
eburneus. ivory-white.
eccentric. off-center style.
echinate. covered with spines.
echinatus. spiny.
echinellus. minutely spiny.
ecological evidence. characters related to habit preference or environmental modifications of
structure.
ecophene. an ecological growth form
ecorticate. without cortication. without a cortex
ecosystematics. the field of study dealing with floristic and plant communities, primarily
observational and descriptive, and mostly treating the species, genus, and family taxa.
ecto. outside; out of, from
effectively published name. name that was published in printed matter generally available to
botanists.
elatior. taller.
elatus. tall.
elegans. elegant.
elliptical or oval. shape of an ellipse.
elodes. of marshes.
emarginate apex. when the apex is provided with a deep notch. indented at the apex
embryological evidence. characters associated with embryo types and their development.
emendatus (emend.). emendation; to correct or improve
endogenous. originating from below the surface of a thallus
endomorphic evidence. characters internal, usually structurally microscopic.
ennea. nine
enneaphyllus. nine leaves.
entire margin. even and smooth
entire. without divisions, lobes, proliferation or indentations. without indentations or incisions on
margins. smooth.
eos. early, primitive.
ephemeral. germinating, growing, flowering and fruiting in a short period.
epi. upon.
epigeous. above the ground or water. in the air.
epihydrus. upon the water.
epipetric. upon rock.
eramous stem. with unbranched stems. erect. upright.
ericoides. heath-like.
erio. wooly
erose. irregularly, shallowly toothed and/or lobed margins; smooth.
erythro. reddish.
et alii (aliorum) (et al.). and others
europaeus. of europe.
evanescent. passing away, disappearing early.
evection. the development of lateral branches to form pseudo dichotomies by differential growth
of the wall of the parent axis
evolution. the continuous genetic adaptation of organisms to their environment; directional
change in gene frequency, over time, within a population or series of populations in response to
selective factors of the environment. change over time within a population.
ex. from, out of
exalbidus. whitish.
exaltatus. very tall.
excentric. one-sided. off-center.
exiguus. little.
exogenous. originating from the surface of a thallus
exomorphic evidence. characters external, usually structurally macroscopic.
extra. outside
falcate or seculate. sickle-shaped.
falcate. scimitar-shaped
falcate. sickle-shaped.
farinaceous. mealy.
farinosus. mealy.
fascicle. a bundle or cluster; adjective fasciculate. a dense cluster or bundle of branches or
branchlets
fascicle. a dense cluster or bundle of branches or branchlets
fasciculate. leaves or other structures in a cluster from a common point
fasciculate. tufted; forming a dense cluster or bundle
fasciculatus. growing in bunches; fascicled.
fastigate. having many branches parallel to the main stem, and usually upright.
fastigiate stem. strictly erect and parallel.
fastigiate. with parallel, clustered and erect branches; with branches more or less erect in line
with the main axis; of a branching system, conical or pyramidal in outline, with either the base or
apex uppermost. having the branches erect, parallel and adpressed. fastigiate. having many
branches parallel to the main stem, and usually upright.
faux. throat.
fenestrate. irregularly perforate
ferrugineus. rusty. light reddish brown
fibrous. having loose, woody fibers.
fili. thread-like.
filiculmis. with thread-like stem
filiform. thread-like, narrowly cylindrical
fimbri. fimbriate.
fimbria. fringe.
fimbriate margin. fringed with fine segments.
fimbriate. fringed.
fimbriate. margins fringed.
fimbriate. with a fringed edge or margin. fringed
fimbriolate. minutely fimbriate.
fistulose. hollow, as a culm without pith.
fistulosus. hollow; cylindrical; tubular.
fixed characters. characters seemingly invariable.
flabellate. fan-shaped
flabellatus. like a small fan.
flabelliform. fan-shaped.
flaccid. lax and weak. limp, flabby hanging lose or drooping
flavescens. becoming yellow.
flavi. yellowish.
flavidulus. slightly yellow.
flavidus. somewhat yellow.
flavovirens. yellowish-green
flavus. pale yellow.
flexilis. capable of being bent.
flexous. bent alternately in opposite directions. zigzag
flexuosus. bent alternately in opposite directions.
flexuous. bent alternately in opposite directions
flexuous. coarsely undulate with folds at right angles to long axis.
flora. an inventory of plants within an area or region.
florentinus. of florence.
floribundus. full of flowers.
floridanus. of florida.
floridus. flowering.
flos. flower.
fluitans. floating.
fluviatilis, growing in streams.
fluviatilis. of rivers.
foetidus. ill-smelling; strong-smelling
foliaceous. leaf-like
foliolum. leaflet.
foliose. with a broad, flat blade
foliosus. full of leaves.
folium, phyllon. leaf.
fontinalis. of springs.
forcipate. incurved like the jaws of pincers
forma (f.). form
fortuitous characters. characters not related to some vital function or behaviour.
foveolate. pitted.
frondosus. full of leaves.
frosted. . with a heavy wax coat.
fruticose stem. shrubby.
fruticosus. shrubby; bushy.
fucosan. a substance which accumulates in cells, considered to be a by-product of metabolism
which has tannin-like properties
fudus. base
fulcate. forked.
fulcra. the appendages of the leaves as prickles, tendrils, stipulate.
fulgidus. shining. bright-colored.
fulvus. tawny; dull yellow
fungosus. spongy
funiculus. cord; rope.
furcate. forked
furcatus. forked.
fuscatus. dusky.
fusci. dark or dark brown.
fusiform. spindle-shaped, tapering at the extremities
galacto. milky.
gallicus. of france.
gamo. fused; united
geminate or binate. paired; in pairs.
generalis. pertaining to all.
generic characters. diagnostic characters used in delimiting a genus.
generitype. the type species of a genus.
genetic evidence. characters primarily associated with transmitted traits and breeding
behaviour.
geniculate stem. abruptly bent at a node, zigzag.
geniculate. abruptly bent vertically, usually near the base.
geniculate. bent abruptly.
geniculatus. abruptly bent, like knee joint
germanicus. of Germany.
gibbous. inflated on one side near the base.
giganteus. gigantic.
giganteus. very large; gigantic.
glaber. smooth, without hairs.
glabrate or glabrescent. becoming glabrous.
glabrous. smooth, without hairs. devoid of trichomes.
glandular. covered with minute, blackish to translucent glands.
glaucescens. becoming sea-green. grayish-blue.
glaucescent. sparingly or slightly glaucous.
glaucous. covered with a bloom or smooth, waxy coating.
glaucus. gray-green, with a bloom.
globose. round. spherical or globular
globular. spherical
glosso. tongue-like.
glutinous. having a shiny, sticky surface.
goni. angled, angular
good characters. characters easily recognizable, have a narrow range of expression and are
seemingly genetically fixed.
gracilis. slender.
graecus. of greece.
grandi. large.
grandis. large.
granular. finely mealy, covered with small granules.
greasy. slick, oily, slippery to touch.
gregarius. herded or flocked together.
griseus. pearl-gray
gymno. naked; bare.
gyne. female.
gyno. female
hair (pseudohairs). hairs which possess plastids, terminate filaments tips only and lack a distinct
basal meristem and sheath
hair (true hair). hairs which are colourless with a distinct basal meristem and basal collar or
sheath
hair. a general term for usually unbranched, hyaline deciduous filaments.
haplo. single.
hapteron. a specialized multicellular attachment structure, usually cylindrical and branched.
present in the laminariales
helicoid cyme or bostryx. a determinate inflorescence in which the branches develop on one
side only, appearing simple.
helveticus. of switzerland.
helvolus. pale brownish-yellow
hemi. half; partial.
hepaticus. liver-colored. dark reddish-brown.
hepta seven
herbaceous. soft and succulent.
hetero. various, different.
heteroblasty. the formation at two morphological different germinating patterns from spores
liberated from a sing sporangium
heteroblasty. with juvenile foliage distinctly different from adult foliage in size or shape.
heteroplastic. having both chloroplasts and colourless amyloplasts
heterotrichous. with two parts to the thallus. a prostrate basal portion and an erect one
hexa. six
hiemalis. belonging to winter.
hilum. scar, trifle.
hirsuta. hairy
hirsute. covered with long, rather stiff trichomes.
hirsutum. hairy.
hirsutus. hairy
hirti. hairy with long hairs.
hispanicus. of spain.
hispid. covered with very long, stiff trichomes.
holo. entire.
holotype. the one specimen or other element used by an author or designated by him as the
nomenclatural type
holotype. the one specimen or other element used by the author or designated by him as the
nomenclatural type, as long as a holotype is extant, it automatically fixes the application of the
name concerned.
homologous characters. characters having a common ancestral origin.
homonym. any of two or more identical names based on different types, only one of which can
be legitimate. eg. spergula strictasw. (1799) transferred to arenaria cannot become arenaria
strictabecause of a different species, arenaria stricta michx. (1803). iftransferred, s. "stricta"
would be a homonym of a. "stricta" michx.(1803).
homoplastic. having only one type of plastid, the chloroplast
homotypic synonym. different name based on same type, second name synonym of previous
name.
humilis. dwarf.
hyacinthinus. purplish-blue
hyaline. thin and translucent or transparent.
hyper. beyond, above
hypero. beyond, above.
hypo. beneath.
hypogeus. underground.
hyponym. a name not based on a type species; name rejected for lack of identified type.
hystrix. bristly (literally a porcupine)
identification (determination). the act of recognizing or establishing the taxon to which a
specimen belongs; the establishment of an identity similar to another previously known element;
applying a name to a specimen.
illegitimate name. name that is validly published but contrary to one or more articles of the code.
imbricate. overlapping, like the tiles on a roof. leaves or other structures overlapping.
imbricatus. overlapping, like shingles.
immersed. embedded within
inarticulate. not jointed, continuous
incanous. covered with dense, fine grayish-white trichomes.
incanus. hoary. whitish-gray
incarnatus. flesh-colored.
incised. margins sharply and deeply cut, usually jaggedly.
incrassate. thickened.
incurved. curved inward or upward.
indeterminate. evergrowing. continual growth of plant parts, not limited by a cessation of
meristematic activity.
indeterminate. lateral flowers develop first with primary axis continuing to elongate or develop.
indicus. of indica.
indurate. hardened.
inflated. swollen or thickened, as in Eichhornia. distended with air or gases
inflatus. bladdery; swollen.
inflexed. bent abruptly inward or upward.
infra. below.
infundibular. funnel-shaped.
initial. the earliest stage of a cell, tissue or structure
inodorus. without scent or odor.
inter. between. among.
intercalary. inserted at a point along a thallus. not terminal or basal. occurring in any position in
a thallus or filament other than the apex or base
intercellular. lying between cells
intermediua. intermediate.
intra. within
intricate. intertwined, entangled
intro. inside
inundatus. growing in places apt to be flooded.
invalid name. name which is not valid.
invariant characters. characters that do not vary within population samples.
invisus. hateful; detested.
involucre. a structure protecting reproductive organs
iridescent. frond surface reflecting light as a blue or green sheen
iridescent. showing rainbow-like colours
irregularly dichotomous. forking but into two unequal parts
iso. equal
isodiametric. cells of equal diameter; as broad as long
isodynamous. with equally developed structures.
isostichous. with equal rows.
isosyntype. a duplicate of a syntype, not cited in a protologue. all duplicates cited by the author
are syntypes.
isotype. a duplicate (part of a single gathering made by a collector at one time) of the holotype;
it is always a specimen.
jugosus. mountainous.
klon (cl.) clone
labium. lip.
lacerate. irregularly cut, appearing torn.
laciniate. cut into closely parallel ribbonlike or straplike projections.
laciniate. irregularly cut or split
lacustris. of lakes or ponds.
laevi. smooth.
laevigatus. smooth, as if polished.
lamellate. made of thin plates
lamina. blade
lanceolate. long and pointed. lance-shaped. flat, broad in the middle and narrow at each end
lanci. lance-shaped.
lani. woolly.
lanosus. wooly.
lasio. woolly.
lati. wide, broad.
laxi. loose; unstrung.
laxus. loose; lax
leaflet. a distinct and separate segment of a leaf.
lectotype. a specimen or other element selected from the original material to serve as a
nomenclatural type when no holotype was designated at the time of publication or as long as it
is missing.
leio. smooth.
lenticulate. like a biconvex lens
lepido. scally
lepto. slender.
leuco. white.
ligneous. woody.
lignum. wood.
ligulate or ray. strap-shaped.
ligulate. strap-shaped
limbus. limb.
linear. log, narrow and flat eg. grass.
linear. long and narrow; narrow, several times longer than wide. long and narrow with parallel
sides
linearis. narrow; linear.
lino. made of flax
lithophilus. rock-loving; growing on rocks.
littoralis. of the seashore
lividus. lead-colored.
lobe. a portion of a deeply cut frond
locorum. sacred thickets.
loculus. chamber; room.
logically correlated character. character or property which is a logical consequence of another.
longi. long.
lorate. with elongate vertical waves in the margins or sides atright angles to the longitudinal
axis.
lubricous. slippery
luridus. dull yellow. brownish-yellow
luteolus. pale yellow.
lutescens. becoming pale yellow.
luteus. deep yellow.
lyrate. lyre-shaped. pinnatifid with large terminal lobe and smaller lower lobes.
lyratus. lyre-shaped.
macro characters. characters gross, macroscopic, usually external.
macro. large; giant.
maculatus. spotted or blotched.
magnus. large.
mammilliform. applied to papillate protuberances
marginal. pertaining to the border or edge.
marianus. of maryland.
maritimus. of or belonging to the sea.
meaningful characters. characters or attributes which are significant or valuable in
characterization, identification or classification.
meaningless characters. characters or attributes which are not significant or valuable in
characterization, identification or classification.
median. upon or along the longitudinal axis.
medulla. pith. medulla. the inner cells of a thallus, usually colourless. a term loosely used for the
internal region of a thallus, it may be parenchymatous, pseudoparenchymatous or distinctly
filamentous. the central tissue
mega. very large; great
megalo. very large; great.
melano; black, very dark.
membranaceous. thin and semi-transparent. like a membrane
membranous. thin and semi-translucent. membrane-like.
meri. part or.
meridionalis. southern.
meristos. divided.
meta. next to, after. changed.
micro characters. characters small, microscopic, usually internal.
micron, micrometre. a unit of measurement = 0.001 mm
midrib. a thickened region extending longitudinally down the middle of a flattened branch. the
thickened longitudinal axis of a flattened thallus. the central conducting and supporting structure
of the blade of a simple leaf.
midvein. the central conducting and supporting structure of the blade of a leaflet.
minus. small
minutus. very small
misapplied name. name applied to a taxon that does not include the type of the name.
mollis. soft; pubescent.
moniliform. like beads on a string
monochasium. a cymose inflorescence with one main axis.
monochasium. cymose inflorescence in which each central axis bears on lateral axis.
monoecious. with staminate and carpellate flowers on same plant.
monosiphonous. a filament composed of a single row of cells
monostromatic. composed of a single layer of cells
monotypic. consisting of a single entity, as, for examples, a genus containing one species only
montanus. of the mountains.
monticola. dweller in the mountains.
morphological evidence. characters associated with gross structure.
mucilage. a watery sticky substance
mucronate apex. rounded apex abruptly ends in a short point.
mucronate. possessing a short, straight point
multiaxial. of a thallus containing several axial filaments
multiseriate. composed of more than one row of cells
multistate characters. characters that can be expressed by moret han "all or none" or present or
absent states.
muricate. having a surface roughened by short, sharp points. covered with short, hard
protuberance.
muricatus. rough with short, hard points.
muriculate. having a surface roughened by short, sharp points. minutely muricate
muriculate. minutely muricate
mutatis characeribus (mut. char.) change of character.
muticous. without a vein extension, awn or hair.
muticous/muticate. pointless; blunt.
myrio. countless
naming. the designating of a specimen or a group of specimens by one or two words. name is
the general term for the designation of a taxonomic group.
nano. dwarf.
nanus. dwarf.
natans. floating on the surface of the water.
ne. not. free from
nemorosus. of woodlands and groves.
neo evidence. characters related to the new or recent.
neo. new
neogaeus. of the new world.
neotype. a specimen or other element selected to serve as nomenclatural type as long as all of
the material on which the name of the taxon was based is missing.
nephro. kidney-shaped.
niger. black; glossy black.
nigra. black
nitens. shining; polished.
niveus. snow-white; purest white.
nodosus. knotted; knobby.
nomen (nom.) name
nomen ambiguum. ambiguous name; name used in different senses so that it has become a
long-persistent source of error"
nomen conservandum (nom. cons.) conserved name
nomen conservandum. conserved name. a validly published name that, by decision of an
international botanical congress, shall be used in spite of the fact that to do so is contrary to the
rules.
nomen novum (nom. nov.) new name
nomen novum. new name; name that is usually a substitute or replacement for an earlier name.
nomen nudum. naked name; name published without description or diagnosis, or reference to
either.
nomen rejiciendum (nom. rejic.) rejected name.
nomenclatural synonym. different name based on same type, second name synonym of
previous name.
nomenclatural type. that element with which the name is permanently associated. it is not
necessarily the most typical or representative element of a taxon.
nomenclature. a set or system of names for taxa, with the binomial for the specific name as
basic
non. not
non-adaptive character. characters that do not change in response to a changing environmental
situation.
non-correlated characters. characters or property which is not the logical consequence of
another.
non-weighted characters. characters given same value regardless of importance.
normalis. at right angles; normal
nothomorphos (nm.). nothomorph
novae-angliae. of new england.
novem-. nine.
nudatus. exposed; laid bare.
nudi. naked.
ob. inversely ; against.
oblique. having an asymmetrical base.
oblong. broadly linear
oblong. wide and long, with the two margins running straight up eg. banana leaf.
obtuse apex. rounded.
obtuse. blunt or at a wide angle
obtuse. blunt or at a wide angle. with a blunt or rounded end
obtuse. margins straight to convex, forming a terminal angle more than 90 o
occidentalis. western
ochro. yellowish
ochroleucus. yellowish-white.
octo. eight.
odonto. tooth-shaped.
odoratus. fragrant.
oikos. house
ontogenetic characters. characters associated with the development of the individual.
ophio. snake-like.
opposite. two leaves or other structures per node, on opposite sides of stem or central axis.
orae. coastal; of the coast.
orbicular. circular in outline.
orbicular. circular, round
orbiculate. circular in outline
ordiri. to begin.
orientalis. eastern
ortho. straight; erect.
orthographia mutata (orth. mut.) orthography change. altered spelling
osseous. bony.
ovate. egg-shaped.
ovate. having the outline of the longitudinal section of a hen's egg
ovi. egg-shaped.
ovoid. egg-shaped, solid
oxy. sharp.
pachy. thick
palatum. palate.
paleo evidence. characters related to the old or fossil.
paleo. old
paleomorphic. flowers without symmetry; usually with an indefinite number of stamens and
carpels, and usually subtended by bracts or discoloured upper leaves
pallid. light-coloured.
palmate. divided like the hand, into finger-like lobe
palmately compound. with leaflets from one point at end of petiole.
palmate-pinnate. with first order leaflets palmately arranged, second order pinnately arranged.
palmatifid. cut palmately.
palmatisect. sectioned or divided palmately into distinct segments.
paludosus. growing in boggy places.
palustris. of marshes or swamps.
palynological evidence. characters associated with pollen grains and their development.
pan. all
panicle. a branched raceme, with each branch bearing a raceme of flowers. more generally, any
branched inflorescence which is in anyway complexes.
panicle. a loose cluster
panicle. branched inflorescence with pedicelled flowers.
pannose. with a felty texture.
panto. all
papillary. nipple-like
papillate. covered with wart-like protuberance or papillae
papillose. covered with minute tubercles.
papyraceous. papery in texture.
para. near, beside.
paranema. paraphyses or sterile hairs
paraphyses. paranema
paraphyses. short filaments or branches associated with sporangia
paratype. a specimen cited with the original description other than the holotype or isotype.
parenchyma. an undifferentiated tissue of thin walled cells
pariental. attached to a wall
parted. cut 1/2-3/4 of distance to middle of structure.
parvi. small
parviflorus. small-flowered.
parvulus. very small.
patens/patent. spreading.
patent. said of leaves or branches which spread out widely from the stem.
patent. spreading at a wide angle
pauci. few
pauxillus. small
pectinate. having closely parallel toothlike projections. comblike.
pectinate. pinnatifid with narrow segments set close like the teeth of a comb. arranged
unilaterally like the teeth of a comb
pedate, bipalmate. palmately cleft or divided with lateral lobes cleft or divided.
pedate. like the claw of a bird.
pedicel. the flower stalk. individual flower stalk. a stalk of a reproductive organ
pedicellate. stalked; borne on a pedicel. said of a flower or a fruit having a stalk. having a stalk.
pedicellus. pedicel
peduncle. main stalk for entire inflorescence.
pellucid. clear, transparent.
peltate. attached to stalk inside the margin; shaped like a shield
pendulous. hanging loosely or freely.
pendulus. hanging down; nodding.
penta. five
per. through.
percurrent. extending through the entire length. said of a vein which runs through the whole
length of a leaf but does not project beyond the tip.
perennis. perennial.
perfoliate. with the base of the lamina surrounding the stipe
perfoliate. with the base of the lamina surrounding the stipe
peri. around.
periclinal. parallel to the surface
peripheral. on the outer surface or edge.
perpusillus. very small
petiolate. with a petiole.
petiole. leaf stalk.
petiolulate. with a petiolule.
petiolule. leaflet stalk.
phaeo. dark.
phaneritic characters. characters obvious, macroscopic.
phanero. easily seen; visible.
phoras. bearing
photo. light.
phragma. septum.
phyllo. pertaining to a leaf.
phyllodial. flattened and blade-like.
phyllon. leaf.
phyllopodic. with blade-bearing leaves at base of plant.
phylogenetic characters. characters associated with the development of the taxon over long
periods of time.
phylogenetic system. a system supposedly based on racial history relationships. one resumably
based on common evolutionary descent.
phylogeny. the evolutionary history of a group of related organisms.
phylosystematics.. the field of study dealing with phylogeny and classification, primarily
theoretical and synthetic, mostly treating
physical evidence. characters related to inanimate properties of organisms.
physiological evidence. characters related to function.
phytography. phase of taxonomy dealing with descriptive terminology of the plant and its parts
with the objective of providing accuracy and completeness for the characterization of taxa.
picro. bitter
piliferous. bearing hairs
pilose. hairy. with soft, shaggy trichomes.
pinna. one of a series of opposite or alternate distichous branchlets. one of the primary divisions
of a pinnately divided frond
pinnate. flattened in one plane, with pinnae or side branches. arranged on either side of an
elongate axis like the vanes of a feather. divided like a feather with lateral branches on each
side of an axis
pinnated. furnished with distichous branchlets, arranged like the plumes of a feather
pinnately compound. with leaflets arranged oppositely or alternately along a common axis, the
rachis.
pinnatifid. cut pinnately.
pinnatifid. deeply incised in a semi-pinnate manner
pinnatisect. sectioned or divided pinnately into distinct segments.
pinnule. a secondary pinna; a secondary branch arising from a pinna
plantula. seedling.
plastic characters. characters seemingly variable.
platy. broad.
pleio. few
pleiochasium. compound dichasium in which each cymule has three lateral branches.
plicate. with a series of longitudinal folds; plaited.
plicatulus. folded into small longitudinal pleats.
plumose. feather-like.
plumose. feathery
plumula. little feather.
plurilocular. having a number of compartments
podion. little foot
podo. of a foot.
polarity. a distinct difference between opposite ends
polonicus. of poland.
polysiphonous. with several rows of elongate cells
polystichous. arranged in numerous rows. leaves or other structures in many rows.
polystromatic. formed of several or many layers of cells
porophilum. lover of soft rock
porphyreus. purple.
porphyro. purple.
porrect. pointed outward, usually said of teeth
prae. before; very. in front of.
praealtus. very tall; high
praecox. developing very early; precocious.
prasinus. grass-green; bright green.
pratensis. growing in meadows.
primitive characters. characters possessed by present day taxon and its ancestors.
primus. first.
pro hybrida (pro hybr.). as a hybrid.
pro parte (p.p.) in part
pro specie (pro sp.) as a species.
pro synonyma (pro syn). as a synonym.
pro. for. instead of.
procerus. very tall.
procumbent stem. prostrate or reclining. trailing or lying flat, not rooting at the node. humistrate.
procumbent. lying flat
projected. pointed outward, usually said of teeth.
proliferation. development of new parts of a thallus by vegetative growth
proliferous. bearing progeny as offshoots. bearing other similar structures on itself
prostratus. lying flat; thrown to the ground.
provisional name. name not accepted by an author at time of publication, but proposed in
anticipation of the future acceptance of the group concerned, or the future acceptance of the
taxon in some particular circumscription, position or rank.
proximal. near the point of origin or attachments.
pruinose. . with a heavy wax coat.
pseudo. false.
pseudodichotomous. branching which appears to be dichotomous but branches not equal
pseudoparenchyma. mass of closely packed filaments giving the appearance of parenchyma
ptero. winged.
pterocauly stem. winged stems.
ptilon. feather
pubens. downy.
pubescent. covered with dense or scattered trichomes.
pulverulent. covered with fine, powdery wax granules.
pulvinate. cushion-shaped, pillow-shaped.
pumilus. dwarf
punctate. characterized by a dot-like appearance
punctatus. marked with dots, depressions or glands.
puniceus. crimson; purple-red.
purpurascens. becoming purple. purplish.
purpureus. purple.
pusillus. very small. insignificant.
pyrenoid. small, round or irregularly shaped, highly refractive body in a chromatophore.
proteinaceous but enveloped in starch, staining darkly in iodine
pyriform. pear-shaped
pyro. firey.
pyrrho. fire-red; ruby-red.
quadrifid. cut or divided into four lobes or parts.
qualitative characters. characters relating to kinds of forms, structures, behaviours or functions.
quantitative characters. characters assessed by number and size.
quaternate. arranged in fours
quinque-. five.
quinquefolius. five-leaved.
raceme. a definite inflorescence, with the main axis bearing stalked flowers which are borne in
acropetal succession.
raceme. unbranched, indeterminate inflorescence with pedicelled flowers.
racemose. having racemes, here used to mean having stalked cytocarps along a branchlet; a
bunch of grapes?
rachis. the axis of a pinnately compound leaf, to which the leaflets are attached. main axis of an
inflorescence.
radiatus. spreading from common center.
radicula. little root.
radix. rhiza, root.
ramellate. bearing small branches
ramentaceous. having many thin scales.
rametoid. branch-like
rami. pertaining to branches.
ramose stem. branched.
ramose. much-branched.
ramosus. branched.
ramulus. a small branch. normally refers to the smallest branches of a plant, especially when
these are of uniform size, form or distribution; a minute branch, usually, applied to the ultimate
divisions of a branching frond
ramulus. a very small branch of a stem of leaf.
ramus. branch.
re. back.
receptacles. portion of a thallus in which conceptacles are concentrated
reclinate. bent down upon the axis, no angle of divergence.
recurved. bent back. curved outward or downward.
recurvus. curved backwards or backwards.
reductus. reduced.
reflexed. bent or turned back. turned downward.
refracted. abruptly backwardly bent
regularis. typical; according to rules.
reliable characters. characters that are consistent, distinct, recognizable and usable by
taxonomists.
reniform. kidney-shaped
repand margin. shallowly wavy or undulating
repens. creeping; prostrate and rooting.
repent stem. creeping or lying flat and rooting at the nodes.
reproductive evidence. characters associated with flower, fruit or seed.
reptans. creeping. prostrate and rooting.
resinous. having a yellowish, sticky exudate.
retained name. name or epithet which is continued to be used as a correct name or as the
epithet of a correct name.
reticulate. net-like, perforated
reticulatus. netted.
retroflexed. turned downwards
retrorse. bent or directed downward.
retuse apex. when the obtuse or truncate apex is furnished with a shallow notch.
revolute. rolled back from the margin or apex
revolute. rolled backwards and usually downwards
rhaphe. seam.
rhipidium. a zig-zag determinate inflorescence with branches developed on opposite sides of
the rachis alternately.
rhizine. a thick walled filamentous structure in the cortex of certain algae
rhizo. pertaining to roots.
rhizoid. root like outgrowth from a cell. a unicellular or multicellular filament formed for
attachment, usually arising from the base of a plant
rhizoidal. root like. a rhizoidal filament is of irregular diameter, sinuous, often downwardly
directed and frequently colourless
rhodo. rose-colored.
rhyncho. having a snout or beak.
rhytido. wrinkled; rumpled
rigidus. stiff
riparius. pertaining to river banks.
rivularis. growing by streams.
robust. large.
robustus. stout.
roseus. rose-colored; rosy.
rostratus, having a beak, beaked.
rosulatus. in form of a rosette.
rotund. circular in outline
rotund. more or less rounded or circular
rotundifolium. round-leaved.
rounded. margins and apex forming a smooth arc.
rubellus. reddish.
rubens. reddish.
rubiginosus. brown-red
ruderalis. growing among rubbish.
rufidulus. somewhat red.
rufus. reddish.
rugose. wrinkled or ridged, covered with coarse reticulate line.
rugosus. wrinkled.
runcinate margin. serrated with the teeth pointed backwards.
rupestris. growing among rock.
saccate. inflated, or sac-like form; bladder-like
saccate. pounch-like.
sacculate. regularly inflated
saccus. pouch.
saccus. sac.
sagittate. arrow-shaped.
salient. pointed outward, usually said of teeth
saltuense. of or pertaining to forests or woodland pastures.
salverform. trumpet-shaped. with slender tube and limb nearly at right angles to tube.
sapro. rotten, decayed.
sarco. fleshy.
sarcocauly stem. fleshy stems.
sativus. cultivated
saxatilis. growing among rocks.
saxicola. dweller among rocks.
saxicola. growing among rocks.
scaber. rough; harsh
scaberulent. approaching scabrous.
scabridulous. minutely scabrous.
scabrous. having a harsh surface.
scale. small, scarious to coriaceous flattened bodies within the perianth, as in the cyperaceae
and asteraceae.
scandens. climbing
scandens. climbing.
scaposus. having a scape.
scarious. thin and dry, appearing shrivelled.
schisto. split; cleft.
schizo. deeply divided
scientific name. name composed of a generic name and a specific epithet, a binomial for the
species; or a single correct name for a higher taxon.
sclero. hard.
sclerous. hard.
scorpioid cyme. a zig-zag determinate inflorescence with branches developed on opposite sides
of the rachis alternately
scutellate. saucer-shaped.
scyphi. scypho. cup-like.
sebiferous. with a heavy wax coat.
sebiferus. wax or tallow-bearing
secund or unilateral. flowers or other structures on one side of axis. borne in a row on one side
only of a branch. directed to one side , arranged along one side only, one-sided arrangement.
segetalis. growing in grain fields.
semen, sperma. seed
semper. always.
sensibilis. capable of irritability or sensitivity.
sensu amplo (s. ampl.) in a broad sense.
sensu lato (s. lat.) in a wide sense.
sensu stricto (s. str.). in a strict or narrow sense.
septate. divided by internal partitions into locules or cells.
septem. seven.
septentrionalis. northern.
seriate. in series
seriate. regularly arranged in one or more series
sericeus. silky.
serotinus. late to leaf, flower, or appear
serrate margin. cut like the teeth of a saw and the teeth directed upwards.
serrated. cut into sawlike teeth.
serrated. toothed like the edge of a saw
serrulate margin. minutely serrate.
sesqui. one and a half.
seta. bristle.
setaceous. bristle-like
setose, setaceous. having setae or bristle-like trichomes.
setosus. bristly.
sex-. six.
sexangularis. six-angled.
shining, nitid, or laevigate. lustrous, polished.
silicle. a short siliqua, not much longer than wide
silicola. dweller on siliceous or flinty soils.
siliculose. resembling a silicle
siliqua. an elongate pod-like structure
simple cyme. a determinate, dichotomous inflorescence with the pedicels of equal length.
simple. with leaf not divided into leaflets.
simplex. simple
sinensis. of china.
sinistorse. rising helically from left to right, a characteristic of twining stems.
sinuate margin. deeply undulating, with a deep, wavy margin
sinuous. with a wavy outline or margin to the thallus
solitary. one-flowered, not an inflorescence.
solstitialis. of summer.
spathulate . oblong or obovate apically with a long attenuate base, shaped like a druggist's
spatula. spoon-shaped
spatulate. oblong or obovate apically with a long attenuate base, shaped like a druggist's
spatula. spoon-shaped
specific characters. diagnostic characters used in delimiting a species.
speciosus. good-looking, beautiful
spectabilis. showy; worth seeing.
sphacela. a blunt apical cell with dark-coloured contents
spheno. wedge-shaped.
spinous margin. provided with spines.
squama, lepis. scale.
squamose. having coarse scales.
squarrose. usually sharply curved downward or outward in the apical region, as the bracts of
some species of aster.
squarrosus. rough, with outward projecting tips.
stachyo. spiked.
stans. erect.
stato. fixed; standing.
status novus (stat. nov.) status new.
stellate. star-shaped
stellate. star-shaped
steno. narrow.
sterilis. sterile; barren
stichidium. a modified branch bearing tetrasporangia
stichidium. special branch of the thallus bearing reproductive organs
sticto. spotted
stipellate. with stipels.
stipes. stem
stipitate. having a stipe
stipitatus. with a little stalk or stipe.
stipula. stalk.
stipulate. with stipules.
stolon. a runner arising above the base of the frond
stoloniferous stem. with runners or propagative shoots rooting at the tip producing new plants.
bearing stolons. sarmentose.
stoloniferous. with stolons, long and slender horizontal branches
stramineus. straw-colored
stramineus. straw-colored.
striate. marked with bands, furrows or ridges
strobilus. a cone-like structure
subacrocaulous. with branches at or near tip of main stem.
subcortex. a layer beneath the cortex but outside the medulla
subcylindrical. not quite cylindrical
subdichotomous. branching intermediate between alternate and dichotomous
suberous. corky.
subglobose. almost round or spherical.
subglobular. not quite spherical
subpinnately. tending towards pinnate branching
subtend. to extend under
subtending leaf. that leaf whose axil gives rise to a bud or peduncle.
subtending. having a bud, or developed from a bud, or a sporangium,in its axis.
subterranean or hypogeous. below the surface of the ground.
subulate. awl-shaped
suffrutescent. woody basally, herbaceous apically.
sulcate. with longitudinal grooves.
sulcatus. furrowed
super. above, over.
superfluous name. name applied to a taxon for which another name or epithet was already
available.
supine stem. prostrate, with parts oriented upward.
supra. above, over.
sur. somewhat; above.
surficial or epigeous. upon or spread over the surface of the ground.
sylvaticus, silvaticus. of the woods.
sylvestris, silvestris. growing in the wood.
sympodial. type of growth where the frond extends by development of a lateral branch
syn. together, joined.
synonym. a superseded or unused name. a rejected name due to a misapplication or difference
in taxonomic judgement. a) nomenclatural or homotypic synonym. different name based on
same type, second name synonym of previous name. b) taxonomic or heterotypic synonym.
different name based on different type but taxonomic judgement indicated identity equal to
previously described taxon; a metanym.
synthetic character. characters of constant nature and wide occurrence used in constitutive and
organizational characterizationof larger taxa.
syntype. any one of two or more specimens cited by the author when no holotype was
designated, or any one of two or more specimens simultaneously designated as types.
sys. together, joined.
systematics. a science usually considered as dealing with a comprehensive study of diverse
organisms with regard to their natural relationships.
tautonym. illegitimate binomial which generic name and specific epithet are the same. eg.
sophia sophia (l.).
taxon (taxa). any taxonomic group, as a species, genus, family or higher rank.
taxonomic or heterotypic synonym. different name based on different type but taxonomic
judgement indicated identity equal to previously described taxon. a metanym.
taxonomy. a science usually considered as dealing with principles and procedures of
classification.
tenellus. slender; tender; soft.
tenui. slender; thin.
tepallum. tepal
tephro. ash gray.
teres. cylindrical, circular in cross section.
terete. round in section. circular in transverse section. terete. cylindrical
tergeminate. with three orders of leaflets, each bifoliolate, or with geminate leaflets ternately
compound.
terminal. at apex or end of stem.
terminal. at the top, tip, or end of a structure.
ternate. in threes
ternately compound. with leaflets in three's
terni. in threes.
terrestris. growing in dry ground.
tetrastichous. leaves or other structures in three rows.
thorn. a sharp pointed branch.
tinctorius. used for dyeing.
tomentose. closely covered with short hairs
topotype. a specimen of a named taxon collected, usually later, from the original type locality or
from the area from which the species was described.
torose. cylindrical with contractions at intervals.
tortuous. having the surface variously twisted. winding irregularly
tortuous. irregularly twisted.
tortus. twisted
torulose. with small swellings. cylindric, with swellings at intervals
trabeculae. filaments traversing a cavity. slender strands or bars lending rigidity to a thallus
trachy. rough.
trans. across, beyond.
tricho. hairy
trichoblast. uniseriate hair-like structures which are usually shed as the plant matures
trichothallic. a method of growth, with a meristematic region in an intercalary position, usually
near the base of a filament
trifid. slit into three. cut or divided into three lobes or parts.
trigonous. three-angled.
triquetrous. having 3 angles and 3 concave surfaces. three-angled with the sides usually
concave.
triseriate. consisting, wholly or in part, of three rows of cells in longitudinal series
trivial name. vernacular name.
trivialis. common; ordinary; trivial
truncate apex. apex ends abruptly as if cut off in a straight line.
truncate. terminating abruptly as if broken off
truncatus. shortened. cut off at end.
tubercle. a small excrescence. small swelling
tuberculate or verrucose. with a warty surface.
tuberculate. beset with knobbly projections or irregularly warty outgrowths.
tuberculate. with hard, swollen, persistent base or tubercle.
tuberosus. tuberous.
tubular. cylindrical
tubular. cylindrical and hollow
tubus. tube
tumescent. somewhat tumid.
tumid. swollen. inflated.
turbinate. shaped like a spinning-top
turbinate. top-shaped. obconic
turgid. tumid or swollen.
two-state characters. characters "all or none", present or absent.
tylo. with knots or projections.
typonym. a name based on an indicated type specimen, not on a diagnosis or description.
typus conservandus (typ. cons.). type conserved.
umbilicate. depressed in the centre.
umbonate. round with a projection in centre.
umbonate. with a distinct projection usually from the side.
umbraculate. umbrella-shaped.
umbrosus. growing in the shade.
uncinatus. hooked.
unctuous. slick, oily, slippery to touch.
undulate. having a wavy surface
undulate. margins shallowly and smoothly indented, wavy in a vertical plane.
undulate. with a series of vertical curves at right angles to the central axis.
unguis. claw
uniaxial. of a thallus containing a single axial filament
unilateral. on one side only
unpublished name. name not published, nomenclaturally equivalent to a name that has not
been validly published. used in reference to herbarium or manuscript name that have not been
effectively or validly published.
unreliable characters. characters that are inconsistent, indistinct, unrecognizable and not usable
by taxonomists.
urceolate. shaped like a pitcher with a protruding mouth
urceolate. urn-shaped.
uro. tailed.
utricle. a flask-shaped cell
vaginate. sheathed
validly published name. name published in accordance with arts. 32ª45 in the code in which the
basic provisions are (a) effective publication (b) publication in the form specified for the name of
each category of taxa c) publication with a description or diagnosis, or a reference to a
previously published description or diagnosis, of the taxon to which the name applies d)
accompanied by a latin description or diagnosis or by a reference to a previously and effectively
published latin description or diagnosis of the taxon and e) with an indication of the
nomenclatural type.
variant characters. characters that do vary within population samples.
vaxillum. standard.
vegetative evidence. characters associated with root, leaf, stem or bud.
velutinus. like velvet.
velutinus. velvety.
ventral. pertaining to the lower surface of a dorsiventral thallus
ventricose. inflated on one side near the middle.
ventricosus. swollen, especially on one side.
vernacular name. name used by natives for a plant. a common name.
vernalis. pertaining to spring.
vernus. pertaining to spring.
verrucose or tuberculate. with a warty surface.
verrucose. warty
versicolor. variously colored.
verticillate. bearing successive whorls of branches along an axis
verticillus. whorl.
vexillum. banner
vinealis. growing in vineyards.
violaceus. violet.
violascens. becoming violet.
virens. green
virescens. becoming green
virgate stem. wand-lie; long, slender, and straight.
virgate. long and straight like a wand (rod)
viridescens. becoming green.
viridi. green
viridis. green.
vitellinus. egg-yolk yellow.
viti. pertaining to a vine.
volubilis. twining.
vulgaris. common.
weighted characters. characters given a greater value due to presumed importance.
whorl. a radiating ring of branches, sporangia etc. given off at the same level
whorled, radiate, or verticillate. three or more leaves or other structures per node.
winged. with flattened blade-like margins.
woody. hard lignified.
xantho. yellow.
xero. dry.
xylo. woody.
zantho. yellow.
zeylanicus/ ceylanicus/ taprobanicus. of ceylon.
zygo. joined; married