List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names

This list of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names is intended to help those unfamiliar with classical languages to understand and remember the scientific names of organisms. The binomial nomenclature used for animals and plants is largely derived from Latin and Greek words, as are some of the names used for higher taxa, such as orders and above. At the time when biologist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) published the books that are now accepted as the starting point of binomial nomenclature, Latin was used in Western Europe as the common language of science, and scientific names were in Latin or Greek: Linnaeus continued this practice.

A sign for Crassula rupestris at the University of Helsinki Botanical Garden. The roots for the binomial name are crassus (thick, fat) and rupestris (living on cliffs or rocks)

While learning Latin is now less common, it is still used by classical scholars, and for certain purposes in botany, medicine and the Roman Catholic Church, and it can still be found in scientific names. It is helpful to be able to understand the source of scientific names. Although the Latin names do not always correspond to the current English common names, they are often related, and if their meanings are understood, they are easier to recall. The binomial name often reflects limited knowledge or hearsay about a species at the time it was named. For instance Pan troglodytes, the chimpanzee, and Troglodytes troglodytes, the wren, are not necessarily cave-dwellers.

Sometimes a genus name or specific descriptor is simply the Latin or Greek name for the animal (e.g. Canis is Latin for dog). These words may not be included in the table below if they only occur for one or two taxa. Instead, the words listed below are the common adjectives and other modifiers that repeatedly occur in the scientific names of many organisms (in more than one genus).

Adjectives vary according to gender, and in most cases only the lemma form (nominative singular masculine form) is listed here. 1st-and-2nd-declension adjectives end in -us (masculine), -a (feminine) and -um (neuter), whereas 3rd-declension adjectives ending in -is (masculine and feminine) change to -e (neuter). For example, verus is listed without the variants for Aloe vera or Galium verum.

The second part of a binomial is often a person's name in the genitive case, ending -i (masculine) or -ae (feminine), such as Kaempfer's tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus kaempferi. The name may be converted into a Latinised form first, giving -ii and -iae instead.

Words that are very similar to their English forms have been omitted.

Some of the Greek transliterations given are Ancient Greek, and others are Modern Greek.

In the tables, L = Latin, G = Greek, and LG = similar in both languages.

This list is not, and is not intended to be, exhaustive. To find other taxa which include the names listed here, use the intitle command in the search box

A

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
acanthus etc.	G ἄκανθος (ákanthos)	thorny, spiny	Acanthus plant; Parorchis acanthus, a flatworm Munida acantha, a squat lobster; prickly ceratina, Ceratina acantha spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias; Reinhardt's snake-eater, Polemon acanthias cotton thistle, Onopordum acanthium	acanthus – acanthias – acantha – acanthium
acaulis	G, L	stemless	silver thistle, Carlina acaulis; dwarf date palm, Phoenix acaulis	acaulis – acaule
actin-, actino-	G ἀκτίς (aktis)	ray, radial	Schefflera actinophylla, Actinopterygii, Actinophryida	actin – actino
acutus	L	sharpened, pointed	American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus; angled sunbeam (butterfly), Curetis acuta; northern pintail, Anas acuta	acutus – acuta – acutum
aculeatus	L	prickly	short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus; three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus; butcher's-broom, Ruscus aculeatus	aculeatus – aculeata – aculeatum
acuminatus	L	sharp, pointed, tapering	Jamaican gooseberry tree, Phyllanthus acuminatus; Panaeolus acuminatus, a mushroom cucumbertree, Magnolia acuminata; Musa acuminata, a banana tree acuminate barrenwort, Epimedium acuminatum; desert quandong, Santalum acuminatum	acuminatus – acuminata – acuminatum
adustus	L	singed, burnt	side-striped jackal, Canis adustus; dark onyx cowry, Erronea adusta	adustus – adusta – adustum
aequalis	L	equal	common Atlantic grenadier, Nezumia aequalis; clay-coloured billbug, Sphenophorus aequalis Trogoxylon aequale, a beetle; Omophron aequale, a ground beetle	aequalis – aequale
aestivus	L	summer	summer asphodel, Asphodelus aestivus; rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus turquoise-fronted amazon, Amazona aestiva; summer spider orchid, Caladenia aestiva Loddon lily, Leucojum aestivum; common wheat, Triticum aestivum	aestivus – aestiva – aestivum
affinis	L	neighbouring, similar, kindred	lesser scaup, Aythya affinis; dugite, Pseudonaja affinis blue tongue, Melastoma affine; Persian violet, Exacum affine	affinis – affine
africanus	L	African	reed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus; southern African frilled shark, Chlamydoselachus africana; African clubhook-squid, Notonykia africanae; pyjama shark, Poroderma africanum; lemon basil, Ocimum × africanum	africanus – africana, africanae – africanum
agrestis	L	of the field, wild	field vole, Microtus agrestis; green field-speedwell, Veronica agrestis	agrestis – agreste
alatus	L āla	winged	pitcher plant, Nepenthes alata; sharpwing monkeyflower, Mimulus alatus; winged elm, Ulmus alata; winged everlasting, Ammobium alatum; winged loosestrife, Lythrum alatum; winged seahorse, Hippocampus alatus; winged-stem passion flower, Passiflora alata	alatus – alata – alatum
albiceps	L	white-headed	blow fly, Chrysomya albiceps; moth, Syngamia albiceps; wood groundling, Parachronistis albiceps; Mexican golden red rump tarantula, Brachypelma albiceps	albiceps
albidens	L	white-toothed	white-toothed brush mouse, Coccymys albidens; see also leucodon	albidens
albopictus	L	painted white	Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus; Moneilema albopictum	albopictus – albopicta – albopictum
albus	L	white	white ibis, Eudocimus albus; white oak, Quercus alba; mistletoe, Viscum album	albus – alba – album
alpinus	L	alpine; of the Alps	alpine aster, Aster alpinus; alpine bearberry, Arctostaphylos alpina; alpine feverfew, Parthenium alpinum	alpinus – alpina – alpinum
amabilis	L	lovable	lovable lily, Lilium amabile; lovely cotinga, Cotinga amabilis; lovely fairywren, Malurus amabilis; lovely fir, Abies amabilis	amabilis – amabile
ambiguus	L	uncertain	beautiful woolly sunflower, Eriophyllum ambiguum; doubtful cone, Conus ambiguus; questionable Stropharia, Stropharia ambigua; tick bush, Kunzea ambigua	ambiguus – ambigua – ambiguum
amblys	G ἀμβλύς (amblús)	blunt, dull	marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus	amblys – All pages with titles beginning with Ambly
americanus	L	American	American black bear, Ursus americanus; American hazel nut, Corylus americana; American mastodon, Mammut americanum	americanus – americana – americanum
amphi-	G ἀμφί (amphí)	of all kinds, on all sides	amphibian; Amphipoda	All pages with titles beginning with Amphi
ampulla	L	bottle, flask	northern bottlenose whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus	ampullatus – ampullata – ampullatum – All pages with titles beginning with Ampulla
amurensis	L	from the Amur River	Amur grape, Vitis amurensis	amurensis – amurense
anglicus	L	from England	Common cordgrass, Sporobolus anglicus; Bibio anglicus, a fly; English sundew, Drosera anglica; English whitebeam, Sorbus anglica; English stonecrop, Sedum anglicum	anglicus – anglica – anglicum
angolensis	L	from Angola	African teak, Pterocarpus angolensis	angolensis – angolense
angustiflorus	L	narrow-flowered	Eastwood's bellflower, Campanula angustiflora; narrowflower lupine, Lupinus angustiflorus	angustiflorus – angustiflora – angustiflorum
angustifolius	L	narrow-leaved	narrowleaf cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium; narrowleaf cottonwood, Populus angustifolia; narrowleaf sunflower, Helianthus angustifolius	angustifolius – angustifolia – angustifolium
angustus	L	narrow	narrow-banded widow, Dingana angusta; narrowleaf pansy monkeyflower, Mimulus angustatus; slimleaf bean, Phaseolus angustissimus; Prairie acacia, Acaciella angustissima; sea snail, Vexillum angustissimum	angustus – angusta – angustum – angustatus – angustissimus – angustissima – angustissimum
antarcticus	L	of the southern hemisphere	chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus; gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus; brown skua, Stercorarius antarcticus	antarcticus – antarctica – antarcticum
anthos	G ἄνθος (ánthos)	flower	anthozoans, Anthozoa; golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha;	All pages with titles beginning with Antho
anthropo-	G ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos)	man, human being	Paranthropus	All pages with titles beginning with Anthropo
apis	L	bee	western honey bee, Apis mellifera; white sage, Salvia apiana	apianus – apiana – apianum – All pages with titles beginning with Api
aquaticus	L	found near water	eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus; wild rice, Zizania aquatica; water spinach, Ipomoea aquatica; parrot's-feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum,	aquaticus – aquatica – aquaticum
arborescens	L	tree-like or shrub-like	Artemisia arborescens; Aloe arborescens; Hydrangea arborescens	arborescens
archaeo-	G ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos)	ancient	Archaeopteryx	All pages with titles beginning with Archaeo – All pages with titles beginning with Archeo
arch-, archi-, archo-, -archus	G ἀρχός (arkhos)	ruler, leader, prince, highest, greatest	Archidendron grandiflorum	archi – archo archo – archus
arctos	G ἄρκτος (árktos)	bear	grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis; common bearberry, Arctostaphylos	arctos – All pages with titles beginning with Arcto
arena	L	sand	sand iris, Iris arenaria; sand rock-cress, Arabidopsis arenosa; sand seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius; sand-dusted cone, Conus arenatus	arenarius – arenaria – arenarium – arenatus – arenata – arenosa
arenicolus	L	sand-dwelling	dunes sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus arenicolus; sand goldenrod, Solidago arenicola; sanddwelling dewberry, Rubus arenicola; sandy stargazer, Gillellus arenicola	arenicolus – arenicola
argentatus	L	silvery	European herring gull, Larus argentatus	argentatus – argentata – argentatum
argenteus	L	silvery	silver buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea; silver tree, Leucadendron argenteum; silvery lupine, Lupinus argenteus; white mulberry, Pipturus argenteus	argenteus – argentea – argenteum
argentum	L	silver	sea snail, Calliostoma argentum	argentum
argillicola	L	living on clay	clay Fiddler Crab, Minuca argillicola; Hullsia argillicola	argillicola
aromatica	G ἄρωμα (árōma)	aromatic	clove nutmeg, Ravensara aromatica; Croton aromaticus; clove, Syzygium aromaticum	aromaticus – aromatica – aromaticum
arthro-	G ἄρθρον (árthron)	joint	Arthropoda	All pages with titles beginning with Arthro
arvensis	L	in the field	skylark, Alauda arvensis; field horsetail, Equisetum arvense	arvensis – arvense
asiatica	L	Asian	white-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica; Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus, Persian buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus	asiatica – asiaticus
astro-, astero-	G ἄστρον (ástron)	star	starfish (class), Asteroidea	All pages with titles beginning with Astero – All pages with titles beginning with Astro
ater	L	dull black	common chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater; Eurasian coot, Fulica atra; black swan, Cygnus atratus; black yarrow, Achillea atrata; creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus see also niger	ater – atra – atrum – atratus – atrata – atratum
atropurpureus	L	deep purple, blackish-purple	Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'; Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea; purple-flowered cotoneaster, Cotoneaster atropurpureus	atropurpureus – atropurpurea – atropurpureum
aurantius, aurantiacus	L	orange-colored	bitter orange, Citrus aurantium	aurantius – aurantia – aurantium; aurantiacus – aurantiaca – aurantiacum
aureus	L	golden	golden jackal, Canis aureus; Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) see also chrysos	aureus – aurea – aureum
auritus	L	having (large) ears	brown long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus; double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus; long-eared hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita yerba santa, Piper auritum; blue eared pheasant, Crossoptilon auritum	auritus – aurita – auritum
australis	L	southern	southern right whale, Eubalaena australis	australis – australe

B

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
baccatus	L	berry-bearing	common yew, Taxus baccata; Conus baccatus, a sea snail	baccatus – baccata – baccatum
barbatus	L barba	bearded	bearded catasetum, Catasetum barbatum; bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus; black-chinned siskin, Spinus barbata; Bornean bearded pig, Sus barbatus; golden-beard penstemon, Penstemon barbatus	barbatus – barbata – barbatum
bicolor	L	two-colored	bicolor angelfish, Centropyge bicolor; bicolor cleanerfish, Labroides bicolor; bicolored moth, Manulea bicolor	bicolor
bicoloratus	L	two-colored	bicolored angle, Macaria bicolorata; Kenya two-headed snake, Micrelaps bicoloratus; orchid, Bulbophyllum bicoloratum	bicoloratus – bicolorata – bicoloratum
bicornis	L	two-horned	black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis	bicornis
bios	G βίος (bíos)	life	amphibian; biota, all living things	bios
blandus	L	pleasant, smooth, alluring	Greek windflower, Anemone blanda; Mallos blandus, a spider	blandus – blanda – blandum
borealis	L	northern	northern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis northern bedstraw, Galium boreale	borealis – boreale
brachion	G βραχίων (brakhíōn)	arm	Przewalski's gerbil, Brachiones przewalskii; Brachiopoda (phylum); Brachiosaurus	All pages with titles beginning with Brachio
brasiliensis	L	Brazilian	Brazilian brown bat Eptesicus brasiliensis	All pages with titles containing Brasiliensis
brachy-	G βραχύς (brakhús)	short	Brazilian gold frog, Brachycephalus didactylus	All pages with titles beginning with Brachy
brachyphyllus	G	short-leaved	extinct plant genus, Brachyphyllum; flower, Colchicum brachyphyllum; leaf-nosed bats, Brachyphylla; shortleaf baccharis, Baccharis brachyphylla; see also brevifolius	brachyphyllus – brachyphylla – brachyphyllum
brady-	G βραδύς (bradús)	slow	pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus pygmaeus	All pages with titles beginning with Brady
branchia	G βράγχιον (bránkhion)	gills	Lamellibranchia (class, syn. Bivalva); Branchiopoda (class, brine shrimps)	All pages with titles beginning with Branchi
brasiliensis	L	from Brazil	Brazilian marsh rat, Holochilus brasiliensis; Brazilian stick mantis, Brunneria brasiliensis; rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis	brasiliensis – brasiliense
brevi-	L brevis	short	silvery-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis	brevis – breve – All pages with titles beginning with Brevi
brevicaudatus	L	short-tailed	bearded leaf chameleon, Rieppeleon brevicaudatus; sea snail, Lophiotoma brevicaudata; short-tailed ceratosoma, Ceratosoma brevicaudatum	brevicaudatus – brevicaudata – brevicaudatum
brevicollis	L	short-necked	short-necked oil beetle, Meloe brevicollis	brevicollis – brevicolle
brevifolius	L	short-leaved	Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia; short-leaved dudleya, Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. brevifolia; shortleaf sneezeweed, Helenium brevifolium; zig-zag bog-rush, Schoenus brevifolius; see also brachyphyllus	brevifolius – brevifolia – brevifolium
brevirostris	L	short beak	pignosed arrowtooth eel, Dysomma brevirostre; shortnose ponyfish, Leiognathus brevirostris	brevirostris – brevirostre
britannicus	L	from Great Britain	Rumex britannica, a knotweed; British yellowhead, Inula britannica; Cortinarius britannicus, a mushroom; Geastrum britannicum, an earthstar fungus	britannicus – britannica – britannicum
bulbus	G βολβός	bulb	bulbous buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus; onion cone, Conus bulbus	bulbus – bulbosus – bulbosa

C

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
caecus	L	blind	blind mole, Talpa caeca; northern eyed hawkmoth, Smerinthus caecus	caecus – caeca – caecum
caeruleus	L	blue	Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus; blue passion flower, Passiflora caerulea	caeruleus – caerulea – caeruleum
californicus	L	California	California blue dorid, Felimare californiensis	californicus – californica – californiensis
callosus	L	calloused	large vesper mouse, Calomys callosus; tree fern, Cyathea callosa; orchid, Paphiopedilum callosum	callosus – callosa – callosum
calvus	L	bald	Altolamprologus calvus, Isbrueckerichthys calvus, both fish Banasa calva, a stink bug; Trichocorixa calva, a water boatman Intrasporangium calvum, a bacterium; Bulbophyllum calvum, an orchid	calvus- calva – calvum
cambricus	L, from Cambria	from Wales	wild cotoneaster, Cotoneaster cambricus; Alalcomenaeus cambricus, fossil arthropod Welsh wave, Venusia cambrica; Welsh eyebright, Euphrasia cambrica Welsh poppy, Papaver cambricum; limestone polypody, Polypodium cambricum Welsh groundsel, Senecio cambrensis; Flexicalymene cambrensis, a fossil trilobite	cambricus – cambrica – cambricum – cambrensis
canadensis	L	from Canada	bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis	canadensis – canadense
candidus	L	brightly white, shining white	Madonna lily, Lilium candidum	candidus – candida – candidum
canescens	L	turning grey- or white-haired	Geraea canescens (desert sunflower); Atriplex canescens	canescens
canis	L	dog	coyote, Canis latrans; Dipylidium caninum (a tapeworm)	canis – caninus – canina – caninum
canorus	L canōrus	melodious	common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus; Chinese hwamei, Garrulax canorus Cuban grassquit, Phonipara canora; Campylocheta canora, a tachinid fly	canorus – canora – canorum
canus	L	gray (haired), pale gray	grey-headed woodpecker, Picus canus; woolly groundsel, Senecio canus	canus – cana – canum
caprae	L	of a goat	Staphylococcus caprae	caprae – capri
castaneus	L	chestnut(-colored)	chestnut bolete, Gyroporus castaneus; reddish carpenter ant, Camponotus castaneus chestnut, Castanea; chestnut short-tailed bat, Carollia castanea chestnut leek orchid, Prasophyllum castaneum; red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum	castaneus – castanea – castaneum
cauda	L	tail	long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus; thintail skate, Dipturus leptocaudus; northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda
caulos	G καυλός (kaulós)	stem, stalk	stemless gentian, Gentiana acaulis	acaulis – acaule
cephalo-	G κεφαλή (kephalḗ)	head	Mediterranean gull, Larus melanocephalus; blue-spotted grouper, Cephalopholis argus	All pages with titles beginning with Cephal
-ceps	L caput	head	pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps; biceps (two-headed muscle)
ceros	L cornū G κέρας (kéras)	horn	narwal, Monodon monoceros; rhinoceros (nose horn)
cest	L cestus G κεστός (kestós)	girdle, belt, stitched	Cestoda	All pages with titles beginning with Cest
chaetes	G χαίτη (khaítē)	flowing hair, or mane	wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou; bristle worms, Polychaeta; earthworms, Oligochaeta
chilensis	L	from Chile	paradise tanager, Tangara chilensis	chilensis – chilense
chinensis	L	from China	China rose, Rosa chinensis; Chinese onion, Allium chinense; Chinese sumac, Rhus chinensis; see also Sinense, below	chinensis – chinense
chloro-	G χλωρός (khlōrós)	pale green	common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus; green algae, Chlorophyta	All pages with titles beginning with Chloro
chordatus	L	spined	chordates; Stylephorus chordatus, Tinospora cordifolia	chordatus – chordata – chordatum
chroma	G χρῶμα (khrôma)	color	clown loach, Chromobotia macracanthus	All pages with titles beginning with Chrom
chrysos	G χρυσός (khrusós)	gold	Chrysochloridae (golden moles); golden pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus; maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus; Chrysophyceae (golden algae) see also aureus	All pages with titles beginning with Chryso
chrysophyllus	G	gold-leaved	golden chinquapin, Chrysolepis chrysophylla; golden-leaved Jerusalem sage, Phlomis chrysophylla; satinleaf, Chrysophyllum oliviforme	chrysophyllus – chrysophylla – chrysophyllum
cilium	L	eyelash	Ashland thistle, Cirsium ciliolatum; bristleworm, Polydora ciliata; eyelash gecko, Correlophus ciliatus; queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris; Australian red cedar, Toona ciliata; sickle-leaved cymodocea, Thalassodendron ciliatum	ciliaris – ciliare – ciliatus – ciliata – ciliatum – ciliolatum
cinereus	L	ash, ash-colored	masked shrew, Sorex cinereus; Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea; gray thrasher, Toxostoma cinereum; common gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus	cinereus – cinerea – cinereum
cirrhus	G κιρρός (kirrhós)	orange	fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosus; mrigal carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus; silverspotted sculpin, Blepsias cirrhosus	cirrhosus – cirrhosa – cirrhosum
citri	L	citrus	the citrus blossom moth, Prays citri	citri
colchicus	L	from Colchis (Greek Κολχῐ́ς, Kolchís) or Georgia	common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus; Phoxinus colchicus, a minnow Caucasian bladdernut, Staphylea colchica; Colchic holly, Ilex colchica Colchic nase, Chondrostoma colchicum; Cyclamen colchicum, a primrose	colchicus – colchica – colchicum
cneme	G κνήμη (knḗmē)	shin, leg	white-legged damselfly, Platycnemis pennipes
-cola	L -cola	inhabitant	Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola; paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola The forms -colus and -colum are also found, although they are not considered to be correct Latin: deepwater grenadier, Coryphaenoides profundicolus; black-sided flowerpecker, Dicaeum monticolum.
clathratus	L	grated, latticed	kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus; clathrate nassa, Nassarius clathratus slender-armed starfish, Luidia clathrata; latticed sandperch, Parapercis clathrata Allium clathratum, an onion; Vexillum clathratum, a sea snail	clathratus – clathrata – clathratum
collaris	L	collared	ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris; collared pika, Ochotona collaris collared carpetshark, Parascyllium collare; mottled sand grasshopper, Spharagemon collare	collaris – collare
communis	L	common	common juniper, Juniperus communis; common myrtle, Myrtus communis star jelly, Nostoc commune; great golden maidenhair, Polytrichum commune	communis – commune
compressus	L compressus	slender, pressed together	slender oatgrass, Danthonia compressa; slender crayfish, Faxonius compressus emerald cockroach wasp, Ampulex compressa; empire gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa Dendrobium compressum, an orchid	compressus – compressa – compressum
concolor	L	having uniform color throughout	cougar, Puma concolor; white fir, Abies concolor
conno-	G κόννος (kónnos)	beard	wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou	All pages with titles beginning with Conno
copros	G κόπρος (kópros)	excrement	Copris, genus of dung beetles; coprophilous, 'growing on animal dung'
corax	L corvus G κόραξ (kórax)	crow, raven	common raven, Corvus corax	corax
cordatus	L	heart-shaped	cordate (leaf shape); small-leaved lime, Tilia cordata; sea potato, Echinocardium cordatum	cordatus – cordata – cordatum
cordifolius	L	heart-shaped leaves	heartleaf aster, Symphyotrichum cordifolium; heart-leaved moonseed, Tinospora cordifolia; Tucson bur ragweed, Ambrosia cordifolia	cordifolius – cordifolia – cordifolium
coriaceus	L, from corium ("leather")	leathery	Pajahuello tick, Ornithodoros coriaceus; beach bird's eye, Alectryon coriaceus blue china vine, Holboellia coriacea; leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea green tea-tree, Leptospermum coriaceum; inland rock orchid, Dendrobium coriaceum	coriaceus – coriacea – coriaceum
cornu	L cornū	horn	garden snail, Cornu aspersum; great ramshorn, Planorbarius corneus	All pages with titles beginning with Cornu
coronatus	L	crowned	crowned lemur, Eulemur coronatus; crowned turban shell, Lunella coronata	coronatus – coronata – coronatum
costatus	L	ribbed	ribbed slipper shell, Maoricrypta costata; striped Raphael catfish, Platydoras costatus	costatus – costata – costatum
crassus, crassi-	L	thick, fat	creeping blueberry, Vaccinium crassifolium; inflated spiny crab, Rochinia crassa; mouthless crab, Cardisoma crassum	crassus – crassa – crassum
cristatus	L	crested	aardwolf, Proteles cristatus; blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata; crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum	cristatus – cristata – cristatum
crocos	G κρόκος (krókos)	yellow	bicoloured white-toothed shrew, Crocidura leucodon; saffron, Crocus sativus; spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta	All pages with titles beginning with croc
cryo-	G κρύος (krúos)	cold	Cryogenics	All pages with titles beginning with Cryo
crypto-	G κρυπτός (kruptós)	hidden	Cryptococcus; Cryptosporidium	All pages with titles beginning with Crypto
culminicola	L	summit dweller	Elaeocarpus culminicola; Euxoa culminicola; Pinus culminicola, Potosi pinyon	All pages with titles containing culminicola
cursor	L	runner, racer	cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor; cursorial akodont, Akodon cursor; Lacépède's ground snake, Erythrolamprus cursor	cursor
curvirostris	L	curved beak	boxer snipe eel, Nemichthys curvirostris; curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre	curvirostris – curvirostre
cyano-	G κυανός (kuanós)	blue-green	azure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cyanus; big blue octopus, Octopus cyanea; blue orchid, Aganisia cyanea	All pages with titles beginning with Cyano – cyaneus – cyanea – cyaneum

D

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
dactyl-, dactylo-	G δάκτυλος (dáktulos)	finger or toe	black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla; Pterodactylus	All pages with titles beginning with Dactyl
deca-, deka-	G δέκα (déka)	ten	alfonsino, Beryx decadactylus	All pages with titles beginning with Deca
decem	L	ten	Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
delphis	G δελφύς (delphús)	womb	virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana
dendr-, dendri-, dendro-, -dendron, -dendrum	G δένδρον (déndron)	tree	Philodendron, Dendrobium, Rhododendron	dendro – dendron – dendrum
derma	G δέρμα (dérma)	skin	yellow staining mushroom, Agaricus xanthodermus	All pages with titles beginning with Derm
di-	G δι- (di-)	two	Christmas orchid, Dipodium punctatum	Too common a letter combination for any useful search
diffusus	L diffundere	diffuse	diffuse spineflower, Chorizanthe diffusa; fly, Paralimnophila diffusior; rush, Juncus diffusissimus; spreading groundsmoke, Gayophytum diffusum; spreading lupine, Lupinus diffusus; spreading phlox, Phlox diffusa	diffusus – diffusa – diffusum – diffusior – diffusissimus
digitatus	L	having fingers	finger rush Juncus digitatus; baobab, Adansonia digitata; dead man's fingers, Alcyonium digitatum	digitatus – digitata – digitatum
dilatatus	L	dilated, extended	dallisgrass, Paspalum dilatatum; Maianthemum dilatatum	dilatatus – dilatata – dilatatum
dioica	L	dioicous	common nettle, Urtica dioica	dioica
dino-, deino-	G δεινός (deinós)	terrifying	dinosaur, Deinotherium	All pages with titles beginning with Dino
diplo-	G διπλός (diplós)	double	two-eyed orange spider, Diploglena capensis	All pages with titles beginning with Diplo
disc, disk	G δίσκος (dískos)	disc	common fungus moth, Metalectra discalis	All pages with titles beginning with Disc – discalis – discale
dodeca-	G δώδεκα (dṓdeka)	twelve	Henderson's shootingstar, Dodecatheon hendersonii	All pages with titles beginning with Dodeca
dolicho-	G δολιχός (dolikhós)	elongated, long	knight anole, Anolis dolichocephalus	All pages with titles beginning with Dolicho
domesticus	L	of the house or domestic	domestic pig, Sus scrofa domestica; house sparrow, Passer domesticus	domesticus – domestica – domesticum
dorsum	L	back	back-striped weasel, Mustela strigidorsa	All pages with titles beginning with Dors
dubius	L	doubtful	little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius see also nomina dubia	dubius – dubia
dulcis	L	sweet	almond, Prunus dulcis	dulcis – dulce
dumetorum	L, from dumus, "bramble"	"of the thickets"	Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum; bitter yam, Dioscorea dumetorum; coastal green hairstreak, Callophrys dumetorum	dumetorum
dumicola	L	scrub dweller	Acaena dumicola; Cerbera dumicola; Stegodyphus dumicola, African social spider	All pages with titles containing dumicola

E

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
eburneus	L eburneus	ivory-colored	ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea	eburneus – eburnea – eburneum
echinatus	L	prickly, spiny	Edisto crayfish, Procambarus echinatus; shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata	echinatus – echinata – echinatum
echino-	L echīnus G ἐχῖνος (ekhînos)	hedgehog, sea-urchin	great globe thistle, Echinops sphaerocephalus; diadema urchin, Echinothrix diadema; San Pedro cactus, Echinopsis pachanoi	All pages with titles beginning with Echino
edulis	L	edible	common cockle, Cerastoderma edule; king bolete, Boletus edulis; oyster, Ostrea edulis; passion fruit, Passiflora edulis	edulis – edule
elatior	L	taller	true oxlip, Primula elatior	elatior
electro-	G ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron)	amber, amber-colored or electric (modern usage)	broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum; electric eel, Electrophorus electricus	No simple way to distinguish biological from other uses
elegans	L	elegant	crimson rosella, Platycercus elegans ; Granastyochus elegantissimus; Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima; false aralia, Plerandra elegantissima; Caecum elegantissimum	elegans – elegantissimus – elegantissima – elegantissimum
emarginatus	L	having no edges	Phongolo suckermouth, Chiloglanis emarginatus; Gibraltar sea lavender, Limonium emarginatum; acerola, Malpighia emarginata; bitter cherry, Prunus emarginata	emarginatus – emarginata – emarginatum
enanti-	G ἐναντίος (enantíos)	opposite, against	Enantiornithes	All pages with titles beginning with Enantio
ennea-	G ἐννέα (ennéa)	nine	banded sunfish Enneacanthus obesus; scurvy-grass sorrel, Oxalis enneaphylla	All pages with titles beginning with Ennea
ensatus	L	sword-like	California giant salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus	ensatus – ensata – ensatum
ensis, ensi-	L	sword, lance	jackknife clam, Ensis minor; swordleaf rush, Juncus ensifolius	All pages with titles beginning with Ensi – ensiformis
-ensis	L	of, from (a place)	Tadarida brasiliensis (Brazilian free-tailed bat); Lucy, Australopithecus afarensis
eques	L	knight, horseman	North Atlantic codling, Lepidion eques ; western horse lubber grasshopper, Taeniopoda eques; leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques Aspergillus equitis; Cygnus equitum; Hoheria equitum	eques
erectus	L	upright	Homo erectus ("upright man"); upright chickweed, Moenchia erecta	erectus – erecta – erectum
erio-	G ἔριον (érion)	wool, woolly	common cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium	All pages with titles beginning with Erio
erosus	L	indented, jagged, serrated	jícama, Pachyrhizus erosus; serrated hinge-back tortoise, Kinixys erosa	erosus – erosa – erosum
erythro-	G ἐρυθρός (eruthrós)	red	spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus; dog's-tooth violet, Erythronium dens-canis	All pages with titles beginning with Erythro
esculentus	L	edible	edible frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus; Gyromitra esculenta	esculentus esculenta esculentum
europaeus	L	European	European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus; European owl moth, Brahmaea europaea	europaeus – europaea – europaeum
Euryops	G	wide-eyed	euryops, plant genus; Goiter blacksmelt, Bathylagus euryops	euryops
excelsus	L	exalted	African teak, Milicia excelsa; excelsior cone, Conus excelsus	excelsus – excelsa – excelsum

F

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
fallax	L	false	false swift, Borbo fallax; green marvel, Acronicta fallax	fallax
falx	L	sickle	sickle milkvetch, Astragalus falcatus; sickle-leaved hare's-ear, Bupleurum falcatum; sicklethorn, Asparagus falcatus; wild pear, Persoonia falcata	falcatus – falcata – falcatum – falciformis – falx
familiaris	L	domestic, common, familiar	dog, Canis lupus familiaris
felis	L	cat	black-footed cat, Felis nigripes; cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis
felinus	L	cat-like, feline	cat gecko, Aeluroscalabotes felinus; marine otter, Lontra felina	felinus – felina – felinum
-fer	L	-bearing	western honey bee, Apis mellifera; coconut, Cocos nucifera
ferox	L	ferocious, wild, bold	long snouted lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox; fossa, Cryptoprocta ferox	ferox
ferus	L	wild	wild horse, Equus ferus; wild Bactrian camel, Camelus ferus	ferus – fera – ferum
ferrugo	L	rust	ferruginous swift, Borbo ferruginea; reddish-brown corky spine fungus, Hydnellum ferrugineum; rusty bloodwood, Corymbia ferruginea; rusty parrotfish, Scarus ferrugineus; rusty pitohui, Pseudorectes ferrugineus	ferrugineus – ferruginea – ferrugineum
fidelis	L	faithful	faithful sea slug, Goniobranchus fidelis; faithful leafcutting bee, Megachile fidelis; Pacific sideband, Monadenia fidelis	fidelis
filum	L	thread	desert fan palm, Washingtonia filifera; thread fern, Blechnum filiforme; thread-leaved sundew, Drosera filiformis	filifer – filifera – filiformis – filiforme
fimbriatus	L	fringed, fibrous	Coomsaharn char, Salvelinus fimbriatus; crested gliding lizard, Draco fimbriatus trumpet cup lichen, Cladonia fimbriata; fringed jumping spider, Portia fimbriata fringed earthstar, Geastrum fimbriatum; gang-gang cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum	fimbriatus – fimbriata – fimbriatum
flavus	L	golden yellow, light yellow	yellow pitcher plant, Sarracenia flava; yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis	flavus – flava – flavum
floridus	L	flowery	blue palo verde, Parkinsonia florida; floral banded wobbegong, Orectolobus floridus	floridus – floridum
flor-	L flos	flower	southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora; great white trillium, Trillium grandiflorum	All pages with titles beginning with flori
fodiens	L fodere	digging	burying beetle, Nicrophorus defodiens; burying beetle, Nicrophorus infodiens; Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens; lowland burrowing tree frog, Smilisca fodiens
folium	L	leaf	Foliicolous, 'growing on leaves'; American beech, Fagus grandifolia; broad-leaved sermountain, Laserpitium latifolium; Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia; Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia; upright snottygobble, Persoonia longifolia
formosanus	L fōrmōsānus	from Taiwan (formerly called Formosa)	Formosan black bear, Ursus thibetanus formosanus; Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Taiwan flower mantis, Acromantis formosana; Taiwanese sweet gum, Liquidambar formosana red quinoa, Chenopodium formosanum; Taiwan saddled carpetshark, Cirrhoscyllium formosanum	formosanus – formosana – formosanum
formosus	L fōrmōsus	(well-)formed, beautiful	beautiful bronzeback tree snake, Dendrelaphis formosus; Asian arowana, Scleropages formosus Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa; least killifish, Heterandria formosa giant maidenhair, Adiantum formosum; beautiful giant-flowered dendrobium, Dendrobium formosum	formosus – formosa – formosum
fragilis	L frangere	breakable	brittle bladder-fern, Cystopteris fragilis; brittle willow, Salix × fragilis; candy cap, Lactarius fragilis; Dientamoeba fragilis; dead man's fingers, Codium fragile; fragile wart frog, Limnonectes fragilis	fragilis
fructus	L	fruit	Aspergillus fructus, a fungus species; fructose, fruit sugar; fructicolous, 'growing on fruit'
fuliginosus	L	sooty	jet black ant, Lasius fuliginosus; ruby tiger, Phragmatobia fuliginosa; sooty hairstreak, Satyrium fuliginosum; sooty milkcap, Lactarius fuliginosus	fuliginosus – fuliginosa – fuliginosum
fulvus	L	deep yellow, tawny	Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva; sulphur leather coral, Rhytisma fulvum; tawny grisette, Amanita fulva; yellow ground squirrel, Spermophilus fulvus	fulvus – fulva – fulvum
furcatus	L	forked	forked viburnum, Viburnum furcatum; forked wormwood, Artemisia furcata; swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus	furcatus – furcata – furcatum
fuscus	L	dark, dark brown	dusky hopping mouse, Notomys fuscus; dusky pitcher-plant, Nepenthes fusca; rusty peat moss, Sphagnum fuscum; sooty tern, Sterna fuscata	fuscus – fusca – fuscum

G

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
gala, galum	G γάλα (gála)	milk	soap plants, Chlorogalum
garrulus	L	chattering, talkative	Garrulus, a genus of jays; Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus Eupithecia garrula, an inchworm moth; chestnut-winged chachalaca, Ortalis garrula Chelostoma garrulum, a carder bee; Omicron garrulum, a potter wasp	garrulus – garrula – garrulum
gaster, gastro-, gastr-	L gaster G γαστήρ (gastḗr)	belly	common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster; Gastropoda
geo-	G γαῖα, γῆ (gê)	Earth	Conus geographus, geography cone; Geotrichum
giganteus	L	giant	giganteus (a sea snail); Aldabra giant tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea	giganteus – gigantea – giganteum
gigas	G γίγας	giant	Humboldt squid, Dosidicus gigas; snow morel, Gyromitra gigas; cœur de la mer, Entada gigas	All pages with titles containing gigas
glaber	L glaber	smooth; hairless	naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber; smooth sumac, Rhus glabra; Omphiscola glabra (a snail)	glaber – glabra – glabrum
glacialis	L	found in glaciers	North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis; glacier wormwood, Artemisia glacialis glacier lantern fish, Benthosema glaciale; Endocellion glaciale, a daisy	glacialis – glaciale
glandulosus	L	having kernels	Tasmanian laurel, Anopterus glandulosus, Basilan Island caecilian, Ichthyophis glandulosus; honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa, warty jumping-slug, Hemphillia glandulosa; skunk currant, Ribes glandulosum,	glandulosus – glandulosa – glandulosum
glaucus	L glaucus G γλαυκός (glaukós)	blue-green, blue-gray, gleaming	silvery blue butterfly, Lepidochrysops glauca; Glaucidae, nudibranch family	glaucus – glauca – glaucum
glutinosus	L glutinosus	sticky	common alder, Alnus glutinosa; viscid black earth tongue, Glutinoglossum glutinosum; northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus	glutinosus – glutinosa – glutinosum
glyco-, glycy-, glyc-	G γλυκύς (glukús)	sweet	liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra; soybean, Glycine max
gonatista	G γονατιστα	kneeling	lichen mimic, Gonatista grisea	gonatista
gracilis, gracile	L	slender, graceful	western spotted skunk, Spilogale gracilis; slough darter, Etheostoma gracile; Gracilisuchus	gracilis – gracile
gracilipes	L grăcĭlĭpes	slender-footed	slender frog, Austrochaperina gracilipes; slender-legged bushfrog, Gracixalus gracilipes; slenderstalk monkeyflower, Mimulus gracilipes; slimfoot century plant, Agave gracilipes	gracilipes
graniticus	L	granite	granite claw flower, Calothamnus graniticus; granite poverty bush, Eremophila granitica; granite serpentweed, Tonestus graniticus	graniticus – granitica – graniticum
graveolens	L gravis	strong-smelling	common rue, Ruta graveolens; lippia, Lippia graveolens	graveolens
gregarius	L gregārius, from grex (“flock, herd”)	sociable	sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius; goldfish plant, Nematanthus gregarius; desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria; Leptospermum gregarium, an Australian myrtle	gregarius – gregaria – gregarium
griseus	L (a Neo-Latin loanword from Germanic)	grey	desert monitor, Varanus griseus; bluntnose sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus; parent bug, Elasmucha grisea; lichen mimic, Gonatista grisea paperbark maple, Acer griseum; white-banded house jumping spider, Hypoblemum griseum	griseus – grisea – griseum
groenlandicus	L	from Greenland (Old Norse Grœnland)	harp seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus; spiny lobster, Lebbeus groenlandicus Arctic woolly bear moth, Gynaephora groenlandica; elephanthead lousewort, Pedicularis groenlandica bog Labrador tea, Rhododendron groenlandicum	groenlandicus – groenlandica – groenlandicum
gyrino-, gyrinus	G γυρῖνος (gurînos)	tadpole	spring salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus; e.g. Crassigyrinus, Proterogyrinus

H

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
haema-, hema-	G αἷμα (haîma)	blood	Haemosporida; Bacteria sp., Haemophilus influenzae, House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
hali-, halio-	G ἅλς (háls)	of the sea, salt	Steller's sea eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus; grey seal, Halichoerus grypus; black abalone, Haliotis cracherodii
hamatus	L	hooked	Slender-billed kite, Helicolestes hamatus ; Ruitersbos pincushion, Leucospermum hamatum; Dark Tiger (butterfly) Tirumala hamata	hamatus – hamatum – hamata
haplo-	G ἁπλόος (haplóos)	simple, single	mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa; Mongolosaurus haplodon
hedra-	G ἕδρα (hédra)	seat, facet	Chinese ephedra, Ephedra sinica
helio-	G ἥλιος (hḗlios)	sun	sunflower, Helianthus annuus; sun spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia
hemisphaerica	G	half-sphere	sand laurel oak, Quercus hemisphaerica, sulphur rose, Rosa hemisphaerica	Hemisphaerica
hetero-	G	diversely or different	melancholy thistle, Cirsium heterophyllum, Leucanthemum heterophyllum, Smith's cress, Lepidium heterophyllum	heterophyllum
hexa-	G ἕξ (héx)	six	water primrose, Ludwigia hexapetala
hibernicus	L	from Ireland	Irish whitebeam, Sorbus hibernica; Atlantic ivy, Hedera hibernica; Southern bristetail, Dilta hibernica; Irish hare, Lepus timidus hibernicus; Mycobacterium hiberniae; Pisidium hibernicum	hiberniae – hibernicus – hibernicum – hibernica
hibridus	L	hybrid	butterbur, Petasites hybridus, brown spider monkey, Ateles hybridus; kelp goose, Chloephaga hybrida; alsike clover, Trifolium hybridum;	hibridus – hybridus – hibrida – hybrida – hibridum – hybridum
hippo-	G ἵππος (híppos)	horse	seahorse, Hippocampus; lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros
hirsutus	L	hairy	hairy bittercress, Cardamine hirsuta; hairy fruit-eating bat, Artibeus hirsutus; hairy St John's-wort, Hypericum hirsutum	hirsutus – hirsuta – hirsutum
hispidus	L	rough, shaggy, bristly, prickly	banded coral shrimp, Stenopus hispidus; shaggy bracket, Inonotus hispidus ringed seal, Pusa hispida; wax gourd, Benincasa hispida bristly starbur, Acanthospermum hispidum; white butterfly triggerplant, Stylidium hispidum	hispidus – hispida – hispidum
homo	L	human, man	modern human, Homo sapiens; Neanderthal, Homo neanderthalensis
hortensis	L hortus	from the garden	broad-leaved anemone, Anemone hortensis; garden orache, Atriplex hortensis; Mexican longwing, Heliconius hortense; Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis	hortensis – hortense
humilis	L	low, small, humble	Mediterranean dwarf palm, Chamaerops humilis; Talaud flying fox, Acerodon humilis Argentine ant, Linepithema humile; Italian jasmine, Jasminum humile	humilis – humile
hydro-	G ὕδωρ, ὑδρο- (húdōr, hudro-)	water	Chinese water deer, Hydropotes inermis; capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
hyemalis	L hiems	winter	dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis; winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis rough horsetail, Equisetum hyemale; putty root, Aplectrum hyemale Mucor hiemalis and Hebeloma hiemale, both fungi	hyemalis – hyemale – hiemalis – hiemale
hyper-	G ὑπέρ (hupér)	over, above	St John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
hyperboreus	G ὑπέρ Βορέᾱ (hupér Boréā)	from the Arctic region (Hyperborea)	glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus; tundra fleabane, Erigeron hyperboreus tangle or cuvie, Laminaria hyperborea; estuary beggarsticks, Bidens hyperborea boreal bur-reed, Sparganium hyperboreum; boreal haircap moss, Polytrichum hyperboreum	hyperboreus – hyperborea – hyperboreum
hypo-, hyp-	G ὑπό (hupó)	under, beneath	zebra pleco catfish, Hypancistrus zebra; common cat's-ear, Hypochaeris radicata

I–K

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
iliacus	L	having a distinctive flank	redwing, Turdus iliacus; Etaxalus iliacus, a beetle fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca; Rhytiphora iliaca, a beetle	iliacus – iliaca
imbricatus	L	tiled	Mountain owl's-clover, Orthocarpus imbricatus	imbricatus – imbricata – imbricatum
indicus	L	Indian	Malaysian tapir, Tapirus indicus	indicus – indica – indicum
inaequalis	L	unequal	variable ladybird, Coelophora inaequalis	inaequalis – inaequale
inedulis	L	inedible	fungus, Caloboletus inedulis	inedulis – inedule
inermis	L	unarmed, defenceless	water deer, Hydropotes inermis; henna tree, Lawsonia inermis turkey-berry, Canthium inerme; white milkwood, Sideroxylon inerme	inermis – inerme
ingratus	L	offensive	See Ingrata	ingrata – ingratus – ingratum
innotatus	L	unmarked	unmarked dagger moth, Acronicta innotata	innotata
irregularis	L	unusual or irregular	variable burrowing asp, Atractaspis irregularis; viper's bugloss, Hadena irregularis	irregularis – irregulare
japonicus	L	Japanese	food wrapper plant, Mallotus japonicus; Japanese pagoda tree, Styphnolobium japonicum; Japanese spiraea, Spiraea japonica; see also nipponensis	japonicus – japonica – japonicum
jubatus	L iubātus	having a mane, crested	cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus; Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus purple pampas grass, Cortaderia jubata; maned forest lizard, Bronchocela jubata foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum; Piptochaetium jubatum, a speargrass species	jubatus – jubata – jubatum
kentuckiensis	L	from Kentucky	Kentucky lady's slipper, Cypripedium kentuckiense; Kentucky lichen moth, Cisthene kentuckiensis	kentuckiensis – kentuckiense

L

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
lact-	L lac	milk, sap, milky white	Chinese peony, Paeonia lactiflora; milk-caps, Lactifluus; Lactophrys; Aspalathus lactea
laetus	L	pleasant, bright	Crombrugghia laetus, scarce light plume moth; Myoporum laetum, mousehole tree; Parhelophilus laetus	laetus – laetum
laevis	L	smooth	red-eyed assassin bug, Platymeris laevicollis; smooth bedstraw, Cruciata laevipes	All pages with titles containing Laevis
lagus	G λαγώς (lagṓs)	hare	European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus; viscachas, Lagidium spp.
lancea	L	lance	sculptured seamoth, Pegasus lancifer; swamp lousewort, Pedicularis lanceolata
lateralis	L	side	black-flanked rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis
lapponicus	L	from Lapland/Sápmi (Neo-Latin Lapponia)	Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus; Lapland mountain sorrel, Rumex lapponicus bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica; pincushion plant, Diapensia lapponica Lapland rosebay, Rhododendron lapponicum; Lapland poppy, Papaver lapponicum	lapponicus – lapponica – lapponicum
latus	L	flank; broad	horse-eye jack, Caranx latus; wideleaf waterparsnip, Sium latifolium; wych elm, Ulmus glabra 'Latifolia Aurea'
laxus	L	wide, yielding	American globeflower, Trollius laxus; Cyperus laxus, a sedge flowering grass, Freesia laxa; tufted forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa Bredasdorp conebush, Leucadendron laxum; false lily turf, Chlorophytum laxum	laxus – laxa – laxum
lepidus	L	pleasant, pleasing, charming	rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus; ocellated lizard, Timon lepidus desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida; embossed hawthorn buprestid, Dicerca lepida greenthroat darter, Etheostoma lepidum; Leccinellum lepidum, a bolete	lepidus – lepida – lepidum
lepis, lepido-	G λεπίς (lepís)	scale, rind, husk, flake	large-scale mullet, Liza macrolepis; Lepidoptera
lepto-, lepti-	G λεπτός (leptós)	light	Leptictidium auderiense, Leptospira kirschneri
lepus	L	hare	black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus
leuco-, leuc-	G λευκός (leukós)	white	white-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
leucocephalus	G	white-headed	bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus; white-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala; white-headed marsh tyrant, Arundinicola leucocephala; white-headed stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus; also see albiceps	leucocephalus – leucocephala – leucocephalum
leucodon	G	white-toothed	bicolored shrew, Crocidura leucodon; lesser mole-rat, Spalax leucodon; white-toothed cowry, Cypraea leucodon; white-toothed woodrat, Neotoma leucodon; also see albidens	leucodon
leucurus	G	white-tailed	white-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucura; white-tailed robin, Cinclidium leucurum; white-tailed stonechat, Saxicola leucurus	leucurus – leucura – leucurum
lignum	L	wood	Guaiacum, lignum-vitae; Vitex lignum-vitae, yellow hollywood tree; lignicolous, 'growing on wood'; Lignum nephriticum
limosus	L	muddy	limosa harlequin frog, Atelopus limosus; mud amnicola, Amnicola limosus	limosus – limosa – limosum
lineatus	L	lined or striped	thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus; Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
lobos	L lobus G λοβός (lobós)	lobe	three-lobe buttercup, Ranunculus trilobus
longi-	L longus	long	frog shark, Somniosus longus, galingale, Cyperus longus; Turmeric, Curcuma longa; Long pepper, Piper longum,	longus – longa – longum –All pages with titles beginning with longi
longicaudatus	L	long-tailed	long-tailed pygmy rice rat, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus; longtail catfish, Olyra longicaudata; longtail tadpole shrimp Triops longicaudatus	longicaudatus – longicaudata – longicaudatum
longicollis	L	long-necked	eastern long-necked turtle, Chelodina longicollis	longicollis – longicolle
longifolius	L	long-leaved	long-leaf persoonia, Persoonia longifolia; long-leaf wild buckwheat, Eriogonum longifolium; long-leaved butterwort, Pinguicula longifolia; longleaf bush lupine, Lupinus longifolius; longleaf sunflower, Helianthus longifolius	longifolius – longifolia – longifolium
longirostris	L	long beak	longbeak buttercup, Ranunculus longirostris; longsnout blacksmelt, Dolicholagus longirostris	longirostris – longirostre
luctuosus	L	sorrowful, mournful	forget-me-not bug, Sehirus luctuosus; white-shouldered tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus; four-spotted moth, Tyta luctuosa	luctuosus – luctuosa – luctuosum
luminosus	L	glowing	cucubano, Ignelater luminuosus; New Zealand glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa; striped flying squid, Eucleoteuthis luminosa	luminuosus – luminuosa – luminuosum
luteus	L	yellow, saffron-colored	yellow mariposa lily, Calochortus luteus; yellow vetch, Vicia lutea; red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea	luteus – lutea – luteum

M

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
macro-	G μακρός (makrós)	long, large	big-headed mole rat, Tachyoryctes macrocephalus; rock onion, Allium macrum; sea snail, Turbonilla macra	macra – macrum
macroura	G	long-tailed	hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura	macroura
maculatus	L	spotted	tiger quoll, Dasyurus maculatus; spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius	maculatus – maculata – maculatum
madagascariensis	L	from Madagascar	Madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis; Malagasy ground boa, Acrantophis madagascariensis; Malagasy tree boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis; Madagascar fruit-bat argasid, Ornithodoros madagascariensis	madagascariensis
magnus	L	great, large	streaked spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna	magnus – magna – magnum
major	L	greater	great tit, Parus major
malabaricus	L	from Malabar	chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabaricus
marginatus	L	bordered	gold edge Japanese euonymus, Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus' ; marginated tortoise, Testudo marginata	marginatus – marginata – marginatum
maritima	L	of the sea	sea beet, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima; samphire, Crithmum maritimum, sea holly, Eryngium maritimum; polar bear, Ursus maritimus, sea rush, Juncus maritimus,	maritima – maritimum – maritimus
mauretanicus	L	from Mauretania (the Maghreb, northwest Africa)	Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus; Moroccan hairstreak, Tomares mauretanicus Adscita mauretanica, a moth; Marginella mauretanica, a sea snail	mauretanicus – mauretanica – mauretanicum
mauro-	G μαυρός (maurós)	dark, black	dark shrew, Crocidura maurisca
maximus	L	largest	royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
mega-	G μέγας (mégas)	large, great	megalodon shark, Otodus megalodon
megacephalus	G	big-headed	Andriyashev large-headed sculpin, Andriashevicottus megacephalus; big-head rush, Juncus megacephalus; big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala; big-headed tiger beetle, Megacephala megacephala; coastal plain hawkweed, Hieracium megacephalum; large-headed rice rat, Hylaeamys megacephalus	megacephalus – megacephala – megacephalum
mel	L	honey	black sage, Salvia mellifera; Nephelium melliferum; western honey bee, Apis mellifera
melano-	G μελανός (melanós)	black	black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris	melanus – melana
melanocephalus	G	black-headed	black-headed fleabane, Erigeron melanocephalus; black-headed snake, Tantilla melanocephala; ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum	melanocephalus – melanocephala – melanocephalum
melanophyllus	G	black-leaved	Melanophylla; Melanophyllum	melanophyllus – melanophylla – melanophyllum
melanops	G	black-eyed, black-faced	black-eyed blue, Glaucopsyche melanops; black-fronted dotterel, Elseyornis melanops; gray spiny mouse, Scolomys melanops	melanops
mephitis	L	bad odor	striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis; yellow-pigmented bacteria, Luteimonas mephitis
meridionalis	L	southern	southern oak bush cricket, Meconema meridionale; Andean blueberry, Vaccinium meridionale southern mammoth, Mammuthus meridionalis; Zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula, Ceratogyrus meridionalis	meridionale – meridionalis
micro-	G μικρός (mikrós)	small	littleleaf pussytoes, Antennaria microphylla
microphyllus	G	small-leaved	baby sage, Salvia microphylla; boxleaf azara, Azara microphylla; littleleaf box, Buxus microphylla; littleleaf mock-orange, Philadelphus microphyllus; small-leaf climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum	microphyllus – microphylla – microphyllum
minimus	L	smallest	least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
minor	L	smaller	great frigatebird, Fregata minor
minuta	L	small	dwarf waterclover, Marsilea minuta, little cuckoo, Coccycua minuta; little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus, harvest mouse, Micromys minutus; little willowherb, Epilobium minutum,	minuta – minutus – minutum
mitra	LG	headband, turban or mitre	Mitra spp., mitre shells; Gyromitra esculenta, false morel; Psittacara mitratus, mitred conure; Presbytis mitrata, mitered langur	All pages with titles beginning with Mitra – mitratus – mitrata – mitratum
monile	L	necklace	Conus monilifer
mono-	G μόνος (mónos)	single	Swinhoe's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis; Monotreme
monoica	L	monoicous	the sandpaper saucer-berry, Cordia monoica	monoica
monospermus	L	Having a single sperm cell	one-seed juniper Juniperus monosperma	monospermus – monosperma – monospermum
monspeliensis	L	from Montpellier	Montpellier cistus, Cistus monspeliensis	monspeliensis – monspessulanus – monspessulana – monspessulanum
montanus	L mons	of the mountains	mountain bottlebrush, Melaleuca montana; mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus; mountain thistle, Acanthus montanus; tree sparrow, Passer montanus	montanus
morpho-	G μορφή (morphḗ)	shape	Menelaus blue morpho, Morpho menelaus
mus, mys	L mūs G μῦς (mûs)	mouse	house mouse, Mus musculus; as rodent, e.g. Phoberomys, Telicomys
mulgere	G	to milk	European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus	Caprimulgus
muralis	L	growing on the wall	annual wall-rocket Diplotaxis muralis, Psammophiliella muralis

N

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
naevius	L	having moles or spots	varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius; spotted salamander, Hynobius naevius striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia; common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia spotted oncidium, Oncidium naevium; Cyrtidium naevium, a fungus	naevius – naevia – naevium
nanos	G νᾶνος (nânos) L nanus	dwarf	brown-capped woodpecker, Dendrocopos nanus; dwarf birch, Betula nana; dwarf shrew, Sorex nanus	nanus
natans	L	floating	Water caltrop, Trapa natans
neomexicanus	L	from New Mexico	New Mexico whiptail, Aspidoscelis neomexicanus; New Mexican yucca, Yucca neomexicana; New Mexico thistle, Cirsium neomexicanum	neomexicanus – neomexicana – neomexicanum
niger, nigr-	L	black	black skimmer, Rynchops niger; black pine, Pinus nigra; black softshell turtle, Nilssonia nigricans; black-footed albatross, Phoebastria nigripes; black-spined Atlantic tree-rat, Phyllomys nigrispinus See also: ater	nigra – nigras – nigrus – nigrum – nigrescens
nippon(ensis)	L	from Japan (natively known as Nippon)	freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium nipponense; Japanese bobtail squid, Sepiolina nipponensis; Sika deer, Cervus nippon; Crested ibis, Nipponia nippon See also: japonicus	nipponensis – nipponense – nippon
nitidus	L nitere	shining	Baja cape kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula nitida; Mauritius blue pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissima; shining pea clam, Pisidium nitidum; shining tree iguana, Liolaemus nitidus	nitidus – nitida – nitidum
nix	L	snow	snow buckwheat, Eriogonum niveum; snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis; snow petrel, Pagodroma nivea; snow sheep Ovis nivicola; snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus; snowy primrose, Primula nivalis; snowy sunflower, Helianthus niveus;	nivalis – niveus – nivea – niveum – nivosus
nonus	L	ninth	honey fungus, Armillaria nabsnona
norvegicus	L	from Norway	Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus; brown rat, Rattus norvegicus; rose fish, Sebastes norvegicus; Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica; highland cudweed, Gnaphalium norvegicum;	norvegicus – norvegica – norvegicum
nothos	G νόθος (nóthos) L nothus	false, wrong	bluefin notho killifish, Nothobranchius rachovii; New Zealand red beech, Nothofagus fusca
noton	G νῶτον (nôton)	back	black-backed antshrike, Thamnophilus melanonotus
notos	G νότος (nótos)	southern	fawn hopping mouse, Notomys cervinus
novaeangliae	L	from New England	humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae; Sphaerophoria novaeangliae, a syrphid fly New England boneset, Eupatorium novae-angliae; New England aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae	novaeangliae – novae-angliae
novaehollandiae	L	from New Holland (Australia)	emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae; New Holland rattlepod, Crotalaria novae-hollandiae; Sepia novaehollandiae, a cuttlefish	novaehollandiae – novae-hollandiae
novaeseelandiae	L	from New Zealand	southern boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae yellow-dabbled flounder, Brachypleura novaezeelandiae New Zealand horned orchid, Orthoceras novae-zeelandiae red bidibid, Acaena novae-zelandiae	novaeseelandiae – novae-zelandiae – novae-zeelandiae – novaezeelandiae – novaezelandiae
noveboracensis	L	from New York (Novum Eboracum)	margined carrion beetle, Oiceoptoma noveboracense; New York fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis; northern waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis	noveboracensis – noveboracense
novem	L	nine	nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus; nine-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella novemnotata
nucifera	L	bearing nuts	butter-nut of Guiana, Caryocar nuciferum; coconut, Cocos nucifera	All pages with titles containing nucifera
nutans	L	nodding	nodding madia, Harmonia nutans; nodding spurge, Euphorbia nutans	nutans

O

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
obscurus	L	dark	dark bolo mouse, Necromys obscurus; dusky dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obscurus; obscure morning glory, Ipomoea obscura; rare clubmoss, Lycopodium obscurum	obscurus – obscura – obscurum
obsoletus	L	obsolete, degenerate	Pantherophis obsoletus; Great Plains skink, Plestiodon obsoletus	obsoletus – obsoletum
occidentalis	L	western	eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis; western clover, Trifolium occidentale	occidentalis – occidentale
ocean	G ὠκεανός (ōkeanós)	ocean	oceanic gecko, Gehyra oceanica; Mediterranean tapeweed, Posidonia oceanica	oceanicus – oceanica
octo-, octa-	G ὀκτω- ὀκτα-	eight	common octopus, Octopus vulgaris
-odon, -odus	G ὀδών (odṓn), ὀδούς (odoús)	tooth	Dimetrodon, Rhizodus
oeso-	G οἰσέμεν (oisémen), οἰσ-	carry	Oesophagostomum
officinalis	L	for the workshop; medicinal	ginger, Zingiber officinale; rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis	officinalis – officinale
oleraceus	L	used as a vegetable	cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and so on, Brassica oleracea; common sowthistle, Sonchus oleraceus	oleraceus – oleracea – oleraceum
oleum, olearis	L	oil	Omphalotus olearius, jack o'lantern mushroom
ommato-	G ὄμμᾰ (ómma), gen. ὄμμᾰτος (ómmatos)	eye	Ommatokoita, Ommatochila, Ommatospila	All pages with titles beginning with Ommato
ophis	G ὄφις (óphis)	serpent	Carphophis vermis, western wormsnake
ophrys	G ὀφρύς (ophrús)	eyebrow	bee orchid, Ophrys; Central American bushmaster, Lachesis stenophrys Melanophrys, fly genus; Cyanophrys, butterfly genus	All pages with titles beginning with Ophry
-ophthalmus	G ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós)	eye	common rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus; Ariosoma ophidiophthalmus, an eel; Spanish ling, Molva macrophthalma; Hippopsicon macrophthalmum, a beetle; Cyprinion microphthalmum, a fish; gold-eye lichen, Teloschistes chrysophthalmus
ops	G ὤψ (ṓps)	face, eye	Triceratops
-opsis	G ὄψις (ópsis)	resembling	Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis
orientalis	L	eastern	Oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis	orientalis – orientale
ortho-	G ὀρθός (orthós)	straight	Orthoptera
oryza	G ὄρυζα (óruza)	rice	Asian rice, Oryza sativa; rice rats, Oryzomys
ovatus	L	egg-shaped	shagbark hickory, Carya ovata	ovatus – ovata – ovatum

P

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
pachy-	G παχύς (pakhús)	thick, stout	Pachycephalosaurus
palaemon	G Παλαίμων (Palaímōn)	Palaemon, a sea god whose name means "wrestler"	Palaemon, crustacean genus; chequered skipper, Carterocephalus palaemon Palaemonias, Palaemonella and Palaemonetes, shrimp genera	palaemon
pallidus	L	pale	Dalmatian iris, Iris pallida	pallidus – pallida – pallidum
palustris	L paluster	of the marsh	mugger crocodile, Crocodylus palustris; marsh marigold, Caltha palustris; Sphagnurus paluster, mushroom;	palustris – paluster – palustre – palustrium
pan- panto-	G πᾶν (pân)	all	Pancratium (a flower); Pangaea
paradoxus	L, from G παράδοξος (parádoxos)	contrary to expectation, strange, uncharacteristic	Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, puzzle sunflower, Helianthus paradoxus ghost mantis, Phyllocrania paradoxa, paradoxical frog, Pseudis paradoxa green-banded broodsac, Leucochloridium paradoxum, few-flowered garlic, Allium paradoxum	paradoxus – paradoxa – paradoxum
parilis	L	equal	Syngrapha parilis, a moth; Metasphenisca parilis, a fruit fly Nephroma parile, a fungus; Malmesbury pincushion, Leucospermum parile	parilis – parile
parviflorus	L	small-flowered	small-flowered mallow, Malva parviflora; thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus	parviflorus – parviflora – parviflorum
parvifolius	L	small-leaved	Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia; littleleaf ceanothus, Ceanothus parvifolius; small-leaved lomatium, Lomatium parvifolium	parvifolius – parvifolia – parvifolium
parvus	L	small	dwarf catshark, Asymbolus parvus; mountain pygmy possum, Burramys parvus; small onion, Allium parvum	parvus – parvum
pecten	L	comb	Venus comb murex, Murex pecten
ped	L pēs	foot	showy lady slipper, Cypripedium reginae
pelagicus	L, G πελαγικός	of the open sea	pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus	pelagicus – pelagica – pelagicum
penn-	L penna	feather, wing	Darwin's rhea, Rhea pennata; great auk, Pinguinus impennis
penta-	G πέντε (pénte)	five	five-fingered skink, Chalcides pentadactylus
petro-	G πέτρα (pétra), L petra	rock, stone	Roberts's flat-headed bat, Sauromys petrophilus; rock daisy, Erigeron petrophilus
phago-	G ἔφαγον	eat	African scat (fish), Scatophagus tetracanthus; Ichthyophaga, the ("fish-eating") sea eagle
phalloides	G	like a phallus	Amanita phalloides, the death cap, a poisonous basidiomycete fungus species
phenolicus	L	able to degrade phenol	Pseudoalteromonas phenolica	phenolicus – phenolica – phenolicum
philippinensis	L	from the Philippines	katmon tree, Dillenia philippinensis; Philippine cobra, Naja philippinensis
pholis	G φολῐ́ς (pholís)	horny scale	bluespotted grouper, Cephalopholis argus
phyllo-	G φύλλον (phúllon)	leaf	garden lupin, Lupinus polyphyllus
physi-	G φύσις (phúsis)	nature	Symphysia ("naturally joined") (a plant)
phyto-	G φυτόν (phutón)	plant	Astrophytum, Astrophytum myriostigma (a cactus); epiphyte
pictus	L	painted	Pimelodus pictus, a catfish; painted skipper, Hesperilla picta; painted tunicate, Clavelina picta; Abutilon pictum, a shrub	pictus – picta – pictum
platy-	G πλατύς (platús)	flat and broad	flathead trout, Salmo platycephalus; platypus
pleio-	G	larger, greater in quantity	Pleiogynium timoriense, Burdekin plum, sweet plum, tulip plum; pleiotropy, (a gene) exhibiting multiple phenotypic expression
plicatilis	L	flexible, pliable	fan-aloe, Kumara plicatilis; lobed river mullet, Cestraeus plicatilis Dendrobium plicatile, an orchid; Cormohipparion plicatile, an extinct horse	plicatilis – plicatile
plumosum	L	feathered	big tarweed, Blepharizonia plumosa; buzzer midge, Chironomus plumosus	plumosus – plumosa – plumosum
pod-	G πούς (poús)	foot, leg, stem	red-footed spikesedge, Eleocharis erythropoda; Arthropoda; Gastropoda
poliocephalus	G	grey-headed	ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala; grey-crowned flatbill, Tolmomyias poliocephalus; grey-headed flying fox, Pteropus poliocephalus; grey-headed goshawk, Accipiter poliocephalus; hoary-headed grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus; white-headed langur, Trachypithecus poliocephalus; yellow-lored tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum poliocephalum	poliocephalus – poliocephala – poliocephalum
poly-	G πολύς (polús)	many, much	common knotgrass, Polygonum aviculare
pomum	L	fruit	apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella; apple murex, Phyllonotus pomum; codling moth, Cydia pomonella; emu apple, Kunzea pomifera; Osage orange, Maclura pomifera	pomum – pomifer – pomifera – pomonella
ponticus	G Πόντος (Póntos)	Pontic; from Pontus, Turkey	Black Sea field mouse, Apodemus ponticus; Pontic adder, Vipera pontica; Pontic rhododendron, Rhododendron ponticum; Roman wormwood, Artemisia pontica	ponticus – pontica – ponticum
praecox	L	early	early onion, Allium praecox; neon rainbow, Melanotaenia praecox; wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox	praecox
praestans	L	excelling	Kamchatka bilberry, Vaccinium praestans; goliath webcap mushroom, Cortinarius praestans; (a butterfly), Ypthima praestans; (a ground beetle), Lesticus praestans; Tulipa praestans	praestans
praeustus	L	burned at the end, scorched, withered	brownback trevally, Carangoides praeustus; Adetus praeustus, a beetle Serixia praeusta, a beetle; Tricholauxania praeusta, a fly; Trogoxylon praeustum, a beetle	praeustus – praeusta – praeustum
prātum	L	meadow	Inyo meadow lupine, Lupinus pratensis; meadow foxtail, Alopecurus pratensis; meadow sedge, Carex praticola; meadow waxcap, Cuphophyllus pratensis	pratensis – pratense – praticola
princeps	L	first, leader, principal, princely	Korean wormwood, Artemisia princeps; princely spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx princeps; American pika, Ochotona princeps	princeps
proto-	G πρῶτος (prôtos)	first	Protozoa
pruinosus	L	pruinose, "frosted", covered in white granules	Tibetan blue bear, Ursus arctos pruinosus; frosted myotis, Myotis pruinosus fuzzywuzzy airplant, Tillandsia pruinosa; frosted hawthorn, Crataegus pruinosa crimson-tailed marsh hawk, Orthetrum pruinosum; dotted blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium pruinosum	pruinosus – pruinosa – pruinosum
pruriens	L	itching	velvet bean, Mucuna pruriens	pruriens
pseudo-	L G ψευδής (pseudḗs)	false or fake	Brazilian false rice rat, Pseudoryzomys simplex; pastel flower, Pseuderanthemum variabile
psych-	G ψυχή (psychḗ)	mind, soul	psychedelic	All pages with titles beginning with Psy
psychrophilus	G ψυχρός (psukhrós)	cold-loving	bacterial rod, Flavobacterium psychrophilum; bacterium, Geobacter psychrophilus; whip-lash squid, Mastigoteuthis psychrophila	psychrophilus – psychrophila – psychrophilum
pterus, -pter	G πτερόν (pterón)	wing, feather	white-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus; Pteranodon (winged toothless); Pterodactylus (winged finger); Pteridophyta; Diptera; Coleoptera
ptyo-	G πτύον (ptyon)	fan	fan-fingered geckos, Ptyodactylus; crag martin, Ptyonoprogne	All pages with titles beginning with Ptyo
puberulus	L	having short, soft hairs	Hydroporus puberulus, a diving beetle; Leptomyrmex puberulus, an ant mountain bellwort, Uvularia puberula; hairy melicope, Melicope puberula plains flax, Linum puberulum; red berry stick plant, Teucrium puberulum	puberulus – puberula – puberulum
pubescens	L	downy	downy oak, Quercus pubescens	pubescens
pugil	L pugil	a boxer	fighting conch, Strombus pugilis	pugilis
pulchellus	L	pretty little	beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchella; green pygmy goose, Nettapus pulchellus	pulchellus – pulchella – pulchellum
pumilus	L	dwarf	Cape dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum; dwarf cuckoo, Coccycua pumila; dwarf mouse-ear, Cerastium pumilum; eastern forest bat, Vespadelus pumilus; shaggy fleabane, Erigeron pumilus; Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila	pumila – pumilus – pumilum
punctatus	L	spotted, marked with punctures	dotted thyme-moss, Rhizomnium punctatum; thirteen-spotted lady beetle, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata	punctatus – punctata – punctatum
pungens	L pungens	pungent	blue spruce, Picea pungens; pungent slippery jack, Suillus pungens	pungens
purpurascens	L	somewhat purple	veiled purple hygrophorus, Hygrophorus purpurascens	purpurascens
purpureus	L purpureus	purple	purple amole, Chlorogalum purpureum; purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea; purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus	purpureus – purpurea – purpureum
pygmaeus	L, from the Pygmaeī	pygmy, dwarf	Bornean orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus; pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus pygmaeus; Western Greece goby, Economidichthys pygmaeus; western pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea; smooth spike-primrose, Epilobium pygmaeum; alpine glacier poppy, Papaver pygmaeum	pygmaeus – pygmaea – pygmaeum
pygo-	G πυγή (pugḗ)	tail, rump	chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus

Q

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
quadri-	L quattuor	four, square	burr grass, Festuca quadriflora (four-flowered); four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus quadricolor; fourspot butterflyfish, Chaetodon quadrimaculatus; whorled loosestrife, Lysimachia quadrifolia (four-leaved)	All pages with titles beginning with Quadri

R

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
radix	L	root or radish	taproot fleabane, Erigeron radicatus	radix – radicans – radicatus – radicis
rāmus	L	branch	branched draba, Draba ramosissima; branched murex, Chicoreus ramosus	ramosus – ramosa – ramulosus
regalis	L	royal	Synalpheus regalis; regal moth, Citheronia regalis; royal lily, Lilium regale	regalis – regale
repandus	L repandus	curved upwards, turned up	dragon's tongue, Hemigraphis repanda; hedgehog mushroom, Hydnum repandum; Peruvian apple cactus, Cereus repandus	repandus – repanda – repandum
repens	L	creeping, crawling (rēpēns)	creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens
repens	L	unexpected (rĕpēns)	white clover, Trifolium repens
reptans, rept-	L	creeping, crawling	bugle, Ajuga reptans; creeping cinquefoil, Potentilla reptans; Reptilia	reptans
reticulata	L	reticulated	mandarin orange, Citrus reticulata	reticulatus – reticulata – reticulatum
rhino-	G ῥίς (rhís)	nose	orange leaf-nosed bat, Rhinonicteris aurantia; rhinoceros
rhiza	G ῥίζα (rhíza)	root	bushy seedbox, Ludwigia helminthorrhiza; Rhizobium (nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria)
rhynchos	G ῥύγχος (rhúnkhos)	beak or snout	mallard, Anas platyrhynchos; Rhamphorhynchus
rhytis	G ῥῠτίς (rhutís)	wrinkled, folded	shaggy moss, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus; Rhytidodon (syn. Rutiodon)
rigidus	L	rigid, stiff	big galleta, Hilaria rigida	rigidus – rigida – rigidum
rossicus	L	from Russia	Pliosaurus rossicus
rostr-	L rōstrum	beak, bill, snout	common crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
rostralis	L	with a beak	buttoned snout moth, Hypena rostralis	rostralis – rostrale
rostratus	L rōstrātus	having a beak	beaked sedge, Carex rostrata; beaked yucca, Yucca rostrata; Caribbean sharp-nose puffer, Canthigaster rostrata; longnose surgeonfish, Zebrasoma rostratum	rostratus – rostrata – rostratum
ruber, rubr-	L ruber	red	red maple, Acer rubrum; red valerian, Centranthus ruber; ruby bolete, Hortiboletus rubellus; summer tanager, Piranga rubra	ruber – rubra – rubrum – rubellus – rubrescens
ruder-	L rūdus, rūderis	rubbish	Cannabis ruderalis; Porophyllum ruderale; ruderal bumblebee, Bombus ruderatus	ruderalis – ruderale – ruderatus
rudis, rud-	L	rough, rude	coarse chameleon, Trioceros rudis; pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis; rough gecko, Naultinus rudis; rough mabuya, Eutropis rudis	rudis – rude
rufus, ruf-	L	red, reddish	red wolf, Canis rufus; rufous rubber cup, Galiella rufa	rufus – rufa – rufum – rufescens
rupestris	L	living on cliffs or rocks	Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris; rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris rock campion, Atocion rupestre; alpine tea-tree, Leptospermum rupestre	rupestris – rupestre
rupicola	L	cliff dweller	Diplacus rupicola, Death Valley monkeyflower; Narcissus rupicola; Tabernaemontana rupicola	All pages with titles containing rupicola
russus	L	reddish	Lophocampa russus, a moth; Toxitiades russus, a beetle; Schistura russa, a stone loach; Steccherinum russum, a fungus	russus – russa – russum
russulus	L	little reddish one	greater white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula; Mimeresia russulus, a butterfly; pinkmottle woodwax, Hygrophorus russula; Bryum russulum, a moss	russulus – russula – russulum

S

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
sanctus	L	sacred	See sanctus (species)	sanctus
sanguis	L	blood	bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis	sanguinis
sapiens	L	wise	recent subspecies of humans: Homo sapiens sapiens ("wise wise man")
saponaria	L	soapy	soapworts (Saponaria spp.), soapbark (Quillaja saponaria), Ramaria flavosaponaria	saponaria
sativus	L	sown, cultivated	oat, Avena sativa; pea, Pisum sativum; rice, Oryza sativa	sativus – sativa – sativum
saura, -saur	G σαῦρος (saûros)	lizard, reptile	lancetfish, Alepisaurus; Maiasaura (dinosaur)
saxum	L	rock	saxicolous, 'growing on rocks/stones'; common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis; Saxicola, stonechats; Saxifraga, rockfoils; Saxifragaceae, herbaceous plant family
scriptus	L	written, scribbled, scrawled	Cape bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus; scrawled filefish, Aluterus scriptus pond slider, Trachemys scripta; long hoverfly, Sphaerophoria scripta; Grammatophyllum scriptum, an orchid; Steindachneridion scriptum, a catfish	scriptus – scripta – scriptum
sculptus	L	sculpted	reed-stemmed orchid, Epidendrum sculptum; sculpted lanternshark, Etmopterus sculptus; sculpted puffball, Calvatia sculpta	sculptus – sculpta – sculptum
septem	L	seven	seven-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata
septentrionalis	L	Northern Hemisphere (septentrional, "of the seven plough-oxen", a reference to The Plough)	northern rockling, Ciliata septentrionalis northern spleenwort, Asplenium septentrionale	septentrionalis – septentrionale
setosus	L	bristly or shaggy	hairy Atlantic spiny rat, Trinomys setosus; artic iris Iris setosa, Diadema setosum	setosus – setosa – setosum
sidero-	G σίδηρος (sídēros)	iron	Siderostigma, Sideroxylon; lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros	All pages with titles beginning with Sidero
silvestris, sylvestris silvaticus	L	from woodland or forest; wild	wildcat, Felis silvestris; snowdrop anemone, Anemone sylvestris; Wood frog, Lithobates sylvaticus	silvestris, sylvestris – silvestre, sylvestre – silvaticus, sylvaticus
similis	L	similar	Callinectes similis	similis
simplex	L	simple	see List of species named simplex	simplex
sinensis	L	from China	tea, Camellia sinensis	sinensis – sinense
smaragdinus	G σμάραγδος (smáragdos)	emerald	green grass lizard, Takydromus smaragdinus; Carabus smaragdinus, a beetle Smaragdina, beetle genus; Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina Epidendrum smaragdinum, an orchid; Smaragdia, snail genus	smaragdinus – smaragdina – smaragdinum – Smaragdia
speciosus	L	showy	queen's crape-myrtle, Lagerstroemia speciosa; Japanese lily, Lilium speciosum	speciosus – speciosa – speciosum
sperma	G σπέρμα (spérma)	seed	African daisies, Osteospermum
sphen-, spheno-	G σφήν (sphḗn)	wedge	tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus
squamatus	L	with scales	scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus, scaled woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes squamatus
stichus, sticticus	G στίχος (stíkhos)	line, file	Ochlerotatus sticticus, a mosquito; western erete, Eretes sticticus Acalolepta stictica, a beetle; Punctelia stictica, a lichen Trypetisoma sticticum, a fly; Diorygma sticticum, a lichen Toothfish, Dissostichus	sticticus – stictica – sticticum
stoma	G στόμα (stóma)	mouth, opening	stomate, Gnathostomata
striatus	L	striped	African striped skink, Trachylepis striata; striated heron, Butorides striatus; striped Barbados lily, Hippeastrum striatum	striatus – striata – striatum
strictus	L	straight, narrow, erect	chocolate lily, Dichopogon strictus; Oxalis stricta; Babiana stricta; Nardus stricta, bog haircap moss, Polytrichum strictum	strictus – stricta – strictum
strix, strig-	L or G	owl	kākāpō or owl parrot, Strigops habroptilus; tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides; tawny owl, Strix aluco
suber	L	cork	cork oak, Quercus suber
suchos, -suchus	G σοῦχος (soûkhos)	crocodile (from Egyptian)	Eusuchia; Koolasuchus
sulcatus	L	furrowed	furrowed wakerobin, Trillium sulcatum; grooved helmet-orchid, Nematoceras sulcatum	sulcatus – sulcata – sulcatum
symbio	G συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis)	symbiosis	Symbiodinium; Symbiontida	symbio
syriacus	L	Syrian	common milkweed, Asclepias syriacus	syriacus – syriaca – syriacum

T

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
tardus, tardi-	L	slow, late	great bustard, Otis tarda; Chisos Mountains oak, Quercus tardifolia
tele-, tel-	G τῆλε (têle)	far, distant	New South Wales waratah, Telopea speciosissima
tenax	L	clinging, tenacious	bear grass, Xerophyllum tenax; tough bully, Sideroxylon tenax; tough-leaved iris, Iris tenax	tenax
tenuis	L	thin, slender, fine	slender rush, Juncus tenuis; plealeaf knotweed, Polygonum tenue	tenuis – tenue
terrestris, terrestre	L	terrestrial	large earth bumblebee, Bombus terrestris bent orchid, Geodorum terrestre	terrestris – terrestre
tetra-	G τετρα-	four	four-leaved allseed, Polycarpon tetraphyllum; Tetrapoda
therium, ther-	G θηρίον (thēríon), θήρ (thḗr)	beast, wild animal	giant ground sloth, Megatherium americanum; stinkpot turtle, Sternotherus odoratus; gelada, Theropithicus gelada
timidus	L	shy, timid	Mountain hare, Lepus timidus; Rhene timidus, a jumping spider; dwarf three-toed slider, Lerista timida; Elysia timida, a sea slug; Zodarion timidum, an ant spider	timidus – timida – timidum
tinctorius	L	for dyeing	woad, Isatis tinctoria	tinctorius – tinctoria – tinctorium
tomentosus	L	furry	bristle-tail filefish, Acreichthys tomentosus; fuzzy mock-orange, Philadelphus tomentosus; woollyleaf ceanothus, Ceanothus tomentosus	tomentosus – tomentosa – tomentosum
trachy-	G τραχύς (trachys)	rough	Trachyscorpia, fish genus; Trachyaretaon, insect genus	All pages with titles beginning with trachy
tri-, tris-	L tri-, G τρι- (tri-)	three	black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla; three-cornered garlic, Allium triquetrum
tricho-, -thrix	G θρίξ (thríx), τριχ- (trikh-)	hair	cloud ear fungus, Auricularia polytricha
tripartitus	L	three-part	threepart violet, Viola tripartita; threetip sagebrush, Artemisia tripartita	tripartitus – tripartita
tristis	L	sad, disagreeable, bitter, foul	ever-flowering gladiolus, Gladiolus tristis American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis
trivialis	L	commonplace, ordinary	tree pipit, Anthus trivialis; southern dewberry, Rubus trivialis; northern water plantain, Alisma triviale; Bulbophyllum triviale, an orchid	trivialis – triviale
troglodytes	L G τρωγλοδύτης (trōglodútēs)	cave-dweller	chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes; wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
tropicalis	L	tropical	Candida tropicalis (yeast); Rostraureum tropicale (fungus)	tropicalis – tropicale
truncatus	L	truncated, foreshortened	common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus; pink fairy armadillo, Chlamyphorus truncatus; rattlesnake flower, Brazoria truncata; false Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera truncata; Shantung maple, Acer truncatum; truncate leek orchid, Prasophyllum truncatum	truncatus – truncata – truncatum
trygon	G τρῡγών (trygōn)	stingray turtledove	Fontitrygon, Hemitrygon, Trygonoptera, all ray genera Geotrygon and Trugon, dove genera	trygon – trugon – All pages with titles beginning with trygo
typhlo-	G τυφλός (typhlós)	blind	Typhlobarbus nudiventris, fish species; Typhlochactidae, scorpion family	All pages with titles beginning with typhl
tyranno-	G τύραννος (túrannos)	tyrant, tyrannical	Tyrannosaurus rex; Tyrannodoris; Tyrannoneustes; Tyrannotitan;

U

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
ulmus	L	elm	American elm, Ulmus americana; elmleaf goldenrod, Solidago ulmifolia; Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila; Ulmus
ulos	G οὖλος (oûlos)	woolly	Uloborus; Ulotrichi; Ulotrichopus	All pages with titles beginning with Ulo
unus	L	one	Monotropa uniflora; unicolor woolly lemur, Avahi unicolor
ura	G οὐρά (ourá)	of the tail	mourning dove, Zenaida macroura; coral snake, Micrurus corallinus

V

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Examples	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
vaginalis	L	sheathed, vaginal	Alyce clover, Gardnerella vaginalis	vaginalis
variabilis	L	variable	grey bunting, Emberiza variabilis	variabilis – variabile
variegatus	L	variegated	variegated laughingthrush, Garrulax variegatus; croton, Codiaeum variegatum	variegatus – variegata – variegatum
varius	L	different, variegated, variable	lace monitor, Varanus varius; yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius barred owl, Strix varia; purple crown vetch, Securigera varia variable triplefin, Forsterygion varium; grass cerith, Bittiolum varium	varius – varia – varium
velox, velocis	L	swift	swift fox, Vulpes velox; Velociraptor	velox
ventralis	L	ventral, of the belly	Hispaniolan parrot, Amazona ventralis; southern dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion ventrale	ventralis – ventrale
venustus	L	beautiful	giraffe hap, Nimbochromis venustus; beautiful pit viper, Trimeresurus venustus flamevine, Pyrostegia venusta; orchard spider, Leucauge venusta Himalayan maidenhair, Adiantum venustum; magnificent leafy moss, Plagiomnium venustum	venustus – venusta – venustum
vernicosa	L	varnished	varnished maxillaria, Maxillaria vernicosa	vernicosus – vernicosa – vernicosum
vernus, vernalis	L	spring (season)	spring gentian, Gentiana verna; spring pheasant's eye, Adonis vernalis; spring sneezeweed, Helenium vernale	vernalis – vernale
verrucosus	L	rough-skinned	Javan warty pig, Sus verrucosus; reef stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa	verrucosus – verrucosa – verrucosum
versicolor	L	many-colored	varied honeyeater, Lichenostomus versicolor; Vietnam mouse-deer, Tragulus versicolor	versicolor
verticillata	L	whorled	spaghetti bryozoan, Amathia verticillata; whorled plectranthus, Plectranthus verticillatus	verticillatus – verticillata – verticillatum
verus	L	true, genuine	true aloe, Aloe vera; lady's bedstraw, Galium verum	verus – verum
victoriae	L	Victorian	Victoria's bar, Cigaritis victoriae	victoriae
villosus	L	hairy, shaggy	hairy nightshade, Solanum villosum; hairy stonecrop, Sedum villosum; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa; hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus; shaggy hawkweed, Hieracium villosum; villous deadly carrot, Thapsia villosa	villosus – villosa – villosum
virginiana	L	Virginia	Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana; Rosa virginiana, the Virginia rose	virginiana – virginianum
viridis	L	green	frog orchid, Coeloglossum viride; green alder, Alnus viridis; green wrasse, Labrus viridis	viridis – viride
virosus	L	poisonous	cowbane, Cicuta virosa; poisonous lettuce, Lactuca virosa	virosus – virosa
viticola (vitis-cola)	L	grape vine inhabitant or cultivator	Phomopsis viticola; Plasmopara viticola; Schizomyia viticola	viticola
volans	L	flying	flying dragon, Draco volans; southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans	volans
vulgaris	L	common	common octopus, Octopus vulgaris; common privet, Ligustrum vulgare	vulgaris – vulgare

X–Z

Latin/Greek	Language	English	Example	Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
xanthos	G ξανθός	yellow	yellow staining mushroom, Agaricus xanthodermus	All pages with titles beginning with Xanth
zebratus	L	cross-striped	Kolombatovic's goby, Chromogobius zebratus
zoster	G ζωστήρ (zōstḗr)	belt, girdle	white-eyes, Zosterops; Zosterophyllum; Zosterocarpus abyssicola	All pages with titles beginning with Zoster
zygos	G ζυγός	joined	Zygophyllum; Zygoptera	All pages with titles beginning with Zygo

See also

• Glossary of scientific naming
• List of commonly used taxonomic affixes
• List of descriptive plant species epithets (A–H)
• List of descriptive plant species epithets (I–Z)
• List of Greek and Latin roots in English
• List of Latin place names used as specific names
• List of Latin words with English derivatives
• List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes
• List of taxa named by anagrams
• Latin names of cities

External links

• Latin names decoded with relevant images/photos at agrozoo.net Archived 15 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Dictionary of botanical epithets
• European Species Names in Linnaean, Czech, English, German and French