Name __________________________________________________________________________ Per ___
Interpreting Scientific Names
Background: Scientific names consist of two parts. The first word is the Genus and is
always capitalized. The second word is the species and it is in lowercase. The entire
name is italicized. For example, the scientific name for a human is Homo sapiens.
Because many scientific names are based on Latin and Greek terms, they can seem
difficult when you begin using them. Once you know the meanings of some Latin and
Greek words, however, it will be easier for you to understand and remember scientific
names!
Word Guide
Colors
alba = white
cyano = blue
leuco = white
melano = black
nigrum = black
rubrum, rubra = red
Other Descriptive Terms
cephalo = head
cristata = crested
dactyl = finger, toe
dentata = toothed
flora = flowers
folium, folia = leaf, leaves
grand = large
helio = sun
hydro = water
Numbers
bi = two
di = two
multi = many
poly = many
quadri = four
tri = three
uni = one
leo = lion
lineata = lined
lis = add to time of year in bloom
maxima = large
num, nus = added to geographic name of
habitat
phyll = leaf
saccharum = sugar
Name __________________________________________________________________________ Per ___
Scientific Names
Acer rubrum
Acer saccharum
Asclepias quadrifolia
Ascelpias rubra
Cyanocitta cristata
Dentaria maxima
Egretta alba
Eurycea bilineata
Helianthis annuus
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Iris cristata
Leontodon autumnalis
Paper nugrum
Saccharum officinarum
Trillium grandiflorum
Directions: Complete the table below. First, match the common name of each plant or animal
with its scientific name (see choices above). Next, translate each scientific name using the
Word Guide on the previous page.
Data and Observations
Common English Name
1. Blue jay
2. Virginia waterleaf
3. Black pepper
4. Sugar maple
5. Two-lined salamander
6. Common sunflower
7. Snowy egret
8. Large toothwort
9. Red milkweed
10. Sugar cane
11. Four-leaved milkweed
12. Red maple
13. Crested dwarf iris
14. Large-flowered trillium
15. Fall dandelion
Scientific Name
Translation