List of plant genus names with etymologies (D–K)

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

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Discocactus

The first column below contains seed-bearing genera from Stearn and other sources as listed, excluding those names that no longer appear in more modern works, such as Plants of the World by Maarten J. M. Christenhusz (lead author), Michael F. Fay and Mark W. Chase.[4] Plants of the World is also used for the family and order classification for each genus. The second column gives a meaning or derivation of the word, such as a language of origin. The last two columns indicate additional citations.

Latin: = derived from Latin (otherwise Greek, except as noted)
Ba = listed in Ross Bayton's The Gardener's Botanical[5]
Bu = listed in Lotte Burkhardt's Index of Eponymic Plant Names[6]
CS = listed in both Allen Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names[7] and Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners
G = listed in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants[8]
St = listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners

Genera

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Deinanthe[a]
 
Delonix
 
Dendrobium
 
Dendrocalamus
 
Desmanthus
 
Desmodium
 
Dicentra
 
Dichroa
 
Dierama
 
Dipteronia
 
Disocactus
 
Diuris
 
Doryanthes
 
Dracocephalum
 
Dracula
 
Dracunculus
 
Eccremocarpus
 
Echinacea
 
Echinocactus
 
Edraianthus
 
Elaeocarpus
 
Empetrum
 
Epiphyllum
 
Eriocephalus
 
Erythrina
 
Euryops
 
Evolvulus
 
Faucaria
 
Fenestraria
 
Fritillaria cross-section
 
Galanthus
 
Gastrochilus flower
 
Geogenanthus
 
Geranium fruit
 
Gladiolus
 
Glaucium
 
Globularia
 
Glottiphyllum
 
Glyptostrobus
 
Grammatophyllum
 
Graptopetalum
 
Gymnocalycium
 
Haemanthus
 
Haematoxylum wood chips
 
Hedychium
 
Heliamphora
 
Helianthus
 
Helichrysum
 
Heliopsis
 
Heterocentron
 
Hippeastrum
 
Hydrocotyle
 
Indigofera
 
Iochroma
 
Ipomoea
 
Iresine
 
Iris
Genera
Genus[b] Meaning or derivation Family[4] Order[4] Ref G
Dacrydium teardrop (the resin) Podocarpaceae Pinales CS G
Dactylicapnos finger + smoke Papaveraceae Ranunculales Ba
Dactylis Greek and Latin name[c] Poaceae Poales CS G
Dactylorhiza finger root (the tubers) Orchidaceae Asparagales CS
Daemonorops demon shrub (the sharp hooks) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Dais torch (the flower heads) Thymelaeaceae Malvales St G
Damasonium Greek name Alismataceae Alismatales St G
Danae Danaë of mythology[d] Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Danais Danaïdes, or Danais, a nymph Rubiaceae Gentianales Bu
Daphne Daphne of mythology Thymelaeaceae Malvales CS G
Daphniphyllum leaves like Daphne[4] Daphniphyllaceae Saxifragales CS G
Dasiphora hair-bearing Rosaceae Rosales Ba
Dasylirion thick lily Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Datisca Greek and Latin name[4] Datiscaceae Cucurbitales CS G
Datura Sanskrit and Arabic name Solanaceae Solanales CS G
Daucus Latin name Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Decazyx Decatropidinae + Xanthoxyleae, two subtribes of Rutaceae Rutaceae Sapindales Bu
Decodon ten teeth (on the calyx) Lythraceae Myrtales St G
Decumaria ten (flower parts) Hydrangeaceae Cornales CS G
Deianira Deianira, a mythological princess Gentianaceae Gentianales Bu
Deidamia Deidamia, a mythological princess Passifloraceae Malpighiales Bu
Deinanthe amazing flowers Hydrangeaceae Cornales St G
Delonix prominent claw (on the petals) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Delosperma visible seeds (inside the capsule) Aizoaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Delostoma visible mouth (the open flowers) Bignoniaceae Lamiales St G
Delphinium Greek name Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Dendrobium tree life (growing on trees) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Dendrocalamus tree reed Poaceae Poales St G
Dendrochilum tree lips Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Dendromecon tree poppy Papaveraceae Ranunculales CS G
Dendropanax tree Panax Araliaceae Apiales St G
Denmoza anagram of Mendoza, a province of Argentina Cactaceae Caryophyllales St
Derris leather covering (the seed pods) Fabaceae Fabales St
Desmanthus bundled flower (the clusters) Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Desmodium chain (the fruit) Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Desmoncus chain hook (the leaf tips) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Deverra Deverra, a goddess Apiaceae Apiales Bu
Dianella Diana of mythology + little Asphodelaceae Asparagales CS G
Dianthus Greek name Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Diapensia Greek name[4] Diapensiaceae Ericales St G
Diascia two sacs (on the flowers) Scrophulariaceae Lamiales CS G
Dicentra two spurs (on the flowers) Papaveraceae Ranunculales CS G
Dichelostemma split wreath Asparagaceae Asparagales Ba G
Dichondra two lumps (the capsules) Convolvulaceae Solanales St G
Dichorisandra two separate male parts (the two stamens that diverge) Commelinaceae Commelinales St G
Dichroa two colours (the flowers) Hydrangeaceae Cornales CS G
Dicliptera double-folding wings (within the capsules) Acanthaceae Lamiales CS G
Dicranostigma forked stigmas Papaveraceae Ranunculales St G
Dictamnus Greek name Rutaceae Sapindales CS G
Dictyosperma net seeds Arecaceae Arecales St G
Didymocarpus double fruit (the separable capsule) Gesneriaceae Lamiales St G
Diegodendron Diego-Suarez (present-day Antsiranana in northern Madagascar) + tree Bixaceae Malvales Bu
Dierama funnel (the flowers) Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Dietes two years or two close relations (within Iridaceae) Iridaceae Asparagales Ba G
Digitalis derived from Latin: finger (the flowers) Plantaginaceae Lamiales CS G
Digitaria Latin: finger-like Poaceae Poales Ba G
Dimorphotheca two shapes of containers (the achenes) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Dionaea Dione of mythology Droseraceae Caryophyllales CS G
Dionysia Dionysus, a god Primulaceae Ericales Bu G
Dioon two-egged (the pairs of seeds) Zamiaceae Cycadales St G
Diosma divine scent Rutaceae Sapindales St G
Diospyros Greek name Ebenaceae Ericales CS G
Dipcadi Turkish name Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Diphylleia two leaves Berberidaceae Ranunculales St G
Diplarrena two male parts (the fertile stamens). Previously Diplarrhena. Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Diploglottis double-tongued (petal scales) Sapindaceae Sapindales St
Dipsacus thirst (some leaves collect water) Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales CS G
Dipteronia two-winged (fruit) Sapindaceae Sapindales St G
Dirca fountain of Dirce (the wet habitats) Thymelaeaceae Malvales St G
Disa Disa of legend Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Disanthus paired flowers Hamamelidaceae Saxifragales CS G
Discaria disc (on the flowers) Rhamnaceae Rosales St G
Dischidia two divisions Apocynaceae Gentianales Ba
Discocactus disc cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St
Diselma two upper decks Cupressaceae Pinales Ba
Disocactus co-equal cactus (there are as many sepals as petals) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St
Disporopsis Disporum-like Asparagaceae Asparagales Ba G
Disporum two seeds Colchicaceae Liliales CS G
Distylium two styles Hamamelidaceae Saxifragales St G
Diuris two tails (the two longest sepals) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Docynia anagram of Cydonia Rosaceae Rosales St G
Dolichandra long male parts Bignoniaceae Lamiales St
Dolichos Greek and Latin name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Donax Greek and Latin name Marantaceae Zingiberales St G
Doronicum Arabic name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Doryanthes spear of flowers[4] Doryanthaceae Asparagales St G
Dovyalis (unclear) Salicaceae Malpighiales St
Draba Greek name Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Dracaena dragon Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Dracocephalum dragon head (the flowers) Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Dracophyllum dragon leaves Ericaceae Ericales Ba G
Dracula little dragon Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Dracunculus little dragon (the spathe). Latin name. Araceae Alismatales CS G
Drimia pungent Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Drimiopsis Drimia-like Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Drimys pungent Winteraceae Canellales CS G
Drosanthemum dew flowers Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Drosera dew (the secretions)[4] Droseraceae Caryophyllales St G
Dryadella dryads (tree nymphs) Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu
Dryas dryad Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Drypis Greek name Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales St G
Durio Malayan name Malvaceae Malvales St G
Dyschoriste hard to separate, or hardly separated Acanthaceae Lamiales St G
Dysosma bad smell Berberidaceae Ranunculales CS
Dysoxylum bad wood (the smell) Meliaceae Sapindales St
Ebenus Greek and Latin name[4] Fabaceae Fabales St G
Ecballium ejection (the ripe seeds are forcefully ejected) Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St G
Eccremocarpus hanging fruit Bignoniaceae Lamiales CS G
Echidnopsis viper-like (the stems) Apocynaceae Gentianales St
Echinacea hedgehog (the spiny scales)[e] Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Echinocactus hedgehog cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Echinocereus hedgehog Cereus (the spiny fruit) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Echinochloa hedgehog grass Poaceae Poales St G
Echinocystis hedgehog bladder (the fruit) Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales St
Echinodorus hedgehog bag or spear Alismataceae Alismatales St G
Echinops hedgehog-like (the thistle's flower heads) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Echinopsis hedgehog-like (the round cactus) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St
Echites viper (the poisonous, entwining branches) Apocynaceae Gentianales St G
Echium Greek name Boraginaceae Boraginales CS G
Edraianthus sitting (sessile) flowers Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Eidothea Eidothea, a mythological figure Proteaceae Proteales Bu
Elaeagnus Greek name[4] Elaeagnaceae Rosales CS G
Elaeis olive (oil) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Elaeocarpus olive (oil) fruit[4] Elaeocarpaceae Oxalidales St G
Elaeodendron olive tree Celastraceae Celastrales St
Elatine Greek and Latin name[4] Elatinaceae Malpighiales St G
Elatostema springing male parts (the erect stamens) Urticaceae Rosales St G
Elegia elegy Restionaceae Poales Ba
Elettaria Malabar name Zingiberaceae Zingiberales St G
Eleusine Eleusis (and its temple) Poaceae Poales St G
Eleutherococcus unbound berries Araliaceae Apiales Ba G
Elleanthus Helle (a mythological princess) + flower Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu
Elodea marshy Hydrocharitaceae Alismatales St G
Elymus Greek name Poaceae Poales CS G
Embothrium in a little pit (the anthers) Proteaceae Proteales CS G
Emilia (unknown) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Emmenanthe lasting flowers Hydrophyllaceae Boraginales St
Emmenopterys lasting wing (part of the calyx) Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Empetrum (living) on rocks. Greek name. Ericaceae Ericales St G
Encelia (unclear) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Encephalartos in-head-bread (the mealy, edible tops of the trunks) Zamiaceae Cycadales St G
Encyclia encircling Orchidaceae Asparagales Ba
Enkianthus pregnant flower (the first-named species of this genus has petal-like bracts surrounding the flowers) Ericaceae Ericales CS G
Ensete Amharic name Musaceae Zingiberales Ba G
Entada Malabar name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Entelea complete (the fertile stamens) Malvaceae Malvales St G
Eomecon Greek name Papaveraceae Ranunculales CS G
Epacris summit-dwelling Ericaceae Ericales St G
Ephedra Greek and Latin name[4] Ephedraceae Ephedrales St G
Epidendrum on trees Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Epigaea on the earth (the branches) Ericaceae Ericales St G
Epilobium on pods (the flowers) Onagraceae Myrtales CS G
Epimedium Greek name Berberidaceae Ranunculales CS G
Epipactis Greek and Latin name Orchidaceae Asparagales CS G
Epiphyllum on leaves (the leaf-like flower stalks) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Epipremnum (growing) on tree trunks Araceae Alismatales Ba G
Episcia in the shade Gesneriaceae Lamiales St G
Epithelantha nipple-borne flowers (on tubercles) Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Eragrostis love grass (the heart-shaped spikelets) Poaceae Poales CS G
Eranthemum Greek name Acanthaceae Lamiales St G
Eranthis springtime flowers Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Erato Erato, a Muse Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Eremaea solitary (flowers) Myrtaceae Myrtales St
Eremanthus solitary flowers Asteraceae Asterales St G
Eremophila desert-loving Scrophulariaceae Lamiales St G
Eremurus desert tail (the large flower spikes) Asphodelaceae Asparagales CS G
Erepsia roofed (the covered stamens) Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St
Eria wool (on the flowers) Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Erica Greek and Latin name[4] Ericaceae Ericales CS G
Erigenia springtime-born Apiaceae Apiales St
Erigeron Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Erinacea Latin: hedgehog Fabaceae Fabales Ba G
Erinus Greek name Plantaginaceae Lamiales CS G
Eriobotrya woolly bunch (the inflorescences) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Eriocephalus woolly heads Asteraceae Asterales St G
Eriogonum woolly nodes Polygonaceae Caryophyllales St G
Eriope Eriopis, a mythological woman Lamiaceae Lamiales Bu
Eriophorum wool-bearing (the fruiting heads) Cyperaceae Poales CS G
Eriophyllum woolly leaves Asteraceae Asterales St G
Eriopidion woolly leaves Lamiaceae Lamiales Bu
Eriopsis Eria-like Orchidaceae Asparagales St
Eriostemon woolly stamens Rutaceae Sapindales St G
Eritrichium woolly hairs Boraginaceae Boraginales St G
Erlangea University of Erlangen (now Erlangen–Nuremberg) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Erodium heron (the long carpels or fruit) Geraniaceae Geraniales CS G
Eruca Latin name Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Erycina Erykine, an epithet of the goddess Venus Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu
Eryngium Greek name Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Erysimum Greek name Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Erythrina red Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Erythronium Greek name Liliaceae Liliales CS G
Erythroxylum red wood. Previously Erythroxylon.[4] Erythroxylaceae Malpighiales St G
Eucalyptus well-covered (the cap on the flower buds) Myrtaceae Myrtales CS G
Eucharis charming (the flowers) Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Eucnide good nettle Loasaceae Cornales St G
Eucomis good hair (the bracts above the inflorescences) Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Eucommia good gum[4] Eucommiaceae Garryales St G
Eucryphia well-hidden (by its sepals) Cunoniaceae Oxalidales CS G
Eulophia good crests (on the lips) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Euodia good fragrance Rutaceae Sapindales Ba G
Euonymus Greek and Latin name Celastraceae Celastrales CS G
Eupatorium Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Euphorbia Greek and Latin name[4] Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales CS G
Euphrasia delight Orobanchaceae Lamiales St G
Euphrosyne Euphrosyne, a goddess Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Euptelea good elm[4] Eupteleaceae Ranunculales St G
Eurya broad Pentaphylacaceae Ericales St G
Euryale Euryale of mythology Nymphaeaceae Nymphaeales St G
Eurybia Eurybia, a goddess Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Euryops large eye (the flower heads) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Eustoma idiom for a pretty face (the striking flowers) Gentianaceae Gentianales St G
Eustrephus well-entwined (the climbing vines) Asparagaceae Asparagales St G
Eutaxia modest or well-ordered Fabaceae Fabales St
Euterpe Euterpe of mythology Arecaceae Arecales St G
Euthamia well-crowded Asteraceae Asterales Ba
Eutrochium well-wheeled Asteraceae Asterales Ba
Evolvulus untwisted (the vines) Convolvulaceae Solanales St G
Exacum Gallic and Latin name Gentianaceae Gentianales St G
Exochorda external chord (on the ovary wall) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Fagopyrum beech wheat Polygonaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Fagus Latin name[4] Fagaceae Fagales CS G
Farfugium Latin name Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Fascicularia Latin: bundled Bromeliaceae Poales Ba G
Fatsia derived from a Japanese name Araliaceae Apiales CS G
Faucaria gullet Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Felicia (unclear) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Fenestraria Latin: window (at the top of the leaves) Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St
Ferocactus Latin: fierce + cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales CS
Feroniella little Feronia Rutaceae Sapindales St
Ferula Latin name Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Festuca Latin: straw or grass stalk Poaceae Poales CS G
Ficaria Ficus-like Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Ficus Latin name Moraceae Rosales CS G
Filago Medieval Latin name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Filipendula Latin: thread-hanging (the tubers) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Foeniculum Latin name Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Fokienia Fujian, a province of China Cupressaceae Pinales Ba G
Fragaria from Latin: fraga (strawberry) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Frangula Latin: brittle. Medieval Latin name. Rhamnaceae Rosales Ba G
Fraxinus Latin name Oleaceae Lamiales CS G
Freya Freyja, a goddess Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Fritillaria Latin: dice box (the checkered flowers) Liliaceae Liliales CS G
Fumaria Medieval Latin name Papaveraceae Ranunculales St G
Gaiadendron Gaia (a goddess) + tree Loranthaceae Santalales Bu
Galactites milky (the veins) Asteraceae Asterales St G
Galanthus milky flowers Amaryllidaceae Asparagales CS G
Galax milk (the flowers) Diapensiaceae Ericales CS G
Galeandra helmet (-capped) stamens Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Galega derived from gala, milk; named gallica herba in Latin Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Galeopsis Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Galium Greek name Rubiaceae Gentianales CS G
Gasteria belly (the swollen flower base) Asphodelaceae Asparagales St G
Gastrochilus belly (swollen) lip Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Geissorhiza tiled roots Iridaceae Asparagales Ba G
Geitonoplesium near-neighbour Asphodelaceae Asparagales St G
Gelsemium Italian name[4] Gelsemiaceae Gentianales CS G
Genipa Guyanese name Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Genista Latin name Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Geogenanthus ground-birth (low-growing) flowers Commelinaceae Commelinales St G
Geonoma colonist Arecaceae Arecales St G
Geranium crane (the fruit). Greek and Latin name.[4] Geraniaceae Geraniales CS G
Geum Latin name Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Gevuina Chilean name Proteaceae Proteales St G
Gibbaeum Latin: humped Aizoaceae Caryophyllales Ba G
Ginkgo Chinese and Japanese name[4] Ginkgoaceae Ginkgoales CS G
Gladiolus little sword (the leaves) Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Glandora glandular Lithodora Boraginaceae Boraginales Ba
Glaucidium Glaucium-like Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Glaucium greyish-blue-green (the leaves) Papaveraceae Ranunculales CS G
Glebionis Latin: soil Asteraceae Asterales Ba
Glechoma Greek name Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Gliricidia Latin: dormouse-killing (derived from a Colombian name) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Globba Indonesian name Zingiberaceae Zingiberales St G
Globularia little globe (the flower heads) Plantaginaceae Lamiales CS G
Gloriosa Latin: glorious Colchicaceae Liliales CS G
Glottiphyllum tongue leaves Aizoaceae Caryophyllales St G
Glumicalyx glume + calyx Scrophulariaceae Lamiales Ba G
Glyceria sweet (the seeds) Poaceae Poales CS G
Glycine sweet Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Glycosmis sweet scent Rutaceae Sapindales St G
Glycyrrhiza sweet roots Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Glyptostrobus carved (pitted) cones Cupressaceae Pinales St G
Gnaphalium Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Gnidia Knidos Thymelaeaceae Malvales St G
Gomphocarpus club-shaped fruit Apocynaceae Gentianales Ba G
Gompholobium peg-like pods Fabaceae Fabales St G
Gomphrena from a Latin name Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Goniolimon angled Limonium Plumbaginaceae Caryophyllales Ba G
Gossypium Latin name, originally from Arabic Malvaceae Malvales St G
Grammatophyllum marked leaves Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Graptopetalum painted petals Crassulaceae Saxifragales St G
Graptophyllum painted leaves Acanthaceae Lamiales St G
Gratiola satisfying Plantaginaceae Lamiales St G
Gymnadenia naked glands (the stamens) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Gymnocalycium naked (flower) buds Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Gymnocladus naked branches Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Gynerium female wool (the woolly spikelets on the female plants) Poaceae Poales St G
Gynura female tail (the long stigmas) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Gypsophila gypsum-loving Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Habenaria rein (the spurs and lips) Orchidaceae Asparagales St G
Habranthus graceful flowers Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Haemanthus blood flowers Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Haematoxylum blood wood (yielding a red dye) Fabaceae Fabales St G
Hakonechloa Mount Hakone (Japan) grass Poaceae Poales Ba G
Halimium seaside Cistaceae Malvales CS G
Halimodendron (salt-tolerant) seaside tree Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Hamadryas dryads (tree nymphs) Ranunculaceae Ranunculales Bu G
Hamamelis Greek name[4] Hamamelidaceae Saxifragales CS G
Haplopappus single pappus Asteraceae Asterales St G
Harpephyllum sickle leaves Anacardiaceae Sapindales St G
Hebanthe pubescent flower Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales Bu
Hedeoma from a Greek name Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Hedera Latin name Araliaceae Apiales CS G
Hedychium sweet snow (the scented white flowers) Zingiberaceae Zingiberales CS G
Hedyotis sweet ear Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Hedysarum Greek name Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Hedyscepe sweet covering (the flowers) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Helenium Greek and Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Heliamphora marsh jar (a pitcher plant) Sarraceniaceae Ericales St G
Helianthella little Helianthus Asteraceae Asterales St G
Helianthemum sunny flowers (the habitat) Cistaceae Malvales CS G
Helianthus sunflowers (the appearance) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Helichrysum sun of gold (the flowers) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Helicodiceros two spiral horns (at the base of the leaves) Araceae Alismatales St G
Heliconia Latin name, from Mount Helicon[4] Heliconiaceae Zingiberales St G
Helictotrichon twisted hair Poaceae Poales Ba G
Heliophila sun-loving Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Heliopsis sun-like (the flowers) Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Heliotropium sun-facing Boraginaceae Boraginales CS G
Helleborus Greek name Ranunculaceae Ranunculales CS G
Hellenocarum "Greek" + Carum Apiaceae Apiales Bu
Helonias marsh Melanthiaceae Liliales St G
Heloniopsis Helonias-like Melanthiaceae Liliales St G
Hemerocallis one-day beauty (the ephemeral flowers). Greek and Latin name. Asphodelaceae Asparagales CS G
Hemiandra half male-part (the reduced stamens) Lamiaceae Lamiales St G
Hemigraphis half-brush (the hairy filaments) Acanthaceae Lamiales St G
Hemiptelea half elm (the half-winged fruit) Ulmaceae Rosales St G
Hepatica liver (the leaves) Ranunculaceae Ranunculales St G
Heptacodium seven-headed (poppy) Caprifoliaceae Dipsacales Ba G
Heracleum Heracles of mythology Apiaceae Apiales CS G
Herniaria (a remedy for) hernia Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllales St G
Herpolirion creeping lily Asphodelaceae Asparagales Ba G
Hesperaloe western Aloe Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Hesperantha evening flowers Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Hesperis evening (when the flower scent is strongest) Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Hesperocallis western beauty Asparagaceae Asparagales Ba G
Heteranthera diverse anthers (one is larger than the others) Pontederiaceae Commelinales St G
Heterocentron diverse spurs Melastomataceae Myrtales St G
Heteromeles diverse apples Rosaceae Rosales St G
Heterospathe diverse spathes Arecaceae Arecales St G
Heterotheca different (seed) boxes Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Hevea Guyanan name Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales St G
Hibiscus Greek and Latin name Malvaceae Malvales CS G
Hieracium Greek name Asteraceae Asterales St G
Hierochloe sacred grass (for its use in ceremonies) Poaceae Poales CS G
Himalayacalamus Himalayan reed Poaceae Poales Ba G
Hippeastrum horse or rider star (the flowers) Amaryllidaceae Asparagales CS G
Hippobroma horse-rage (it is poisonous) Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Hippocrepis horse shoe (the seed pods) Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Hippophae Greek name Elaeagnaceae Rosales CS G
Hippuris horse tail Plantaginaceae Lamiales Ba G
Hoheria Maori name Malvaceae Malvales CS G
Holcus Greek and Latin name Poaceae Poales CS G
Holodiscus undivided disk (the flowers) Rosaceae Rosales CS G
Homalanthus flat flowers Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales St G
Homalomena flat moon; mistranslation of a Malayan name Araceae Alismatales St
Hordeum Latin name Poaceae Poales CS G
Horminum Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Howea Lord Howe Island (the habitat) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Humulus German name Cannabaceae Rosales CS G
Hura South American name Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales St G
Hyacinthella Hyacinth, a mythological hero Asparagaceae Asparagales Bu G
Hyacinthoides Hyacinthus-like Asparagaceae Asparagales Bu G
Hyacinthus Hyacinth of mythology. Greek and Latin name. Asparagaceae Asparagales CS G
Hydrangea water container (the cup-shaped capsules)[4] Hydrangeaceae Cornales CS G
Hydrastis water, by analogy with Hydrophyllum Ranunculaceae Ranunculales St G
Hydriastele water column (tree) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Hydrilla little water serpent, possibly Hydrocharitaceae Alismatales St G
Hydrocharis water grace[4] Hydrocharitaceae Alismatales St G
Hydrocleys water key Alismataceae Alismatales CS G
Hydrocotyle water + shallow cup (the leaves) Araliaceae Apiales St G
Hydrolea water olive (the leaves)[4] Hydroleaceae Solanales St G
Hydrophyllum watery leaves Restionaceae Poales St G
Hygrophila moisture-loving Acanthaceae Lamiales Ba G
Hylocereus grove cactus Cactaceae Caryophyllales St G
Hylomecon grove poppy Papaveraceae Ranunculales St G
Hylotelephium forest Telephium Crassulaceae Saxifragales Ba
Hymenaea Hymen of mythology Fabaceae Fabales St G
Hymenocallis membrane beauty (on the stamens) Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Hymenosporum membranous seeds Pittosporaceae Apiales St G
Hymenoxys membrane points Asteraceae Asterales Ba G
Hyophorbe pig food Arecaceae Arecales St G
Hyoscyamus pig (poor) bean Solanaceae Solanales St G
Hypericum Greek and Latin name[4] Clusiaceae Malpighiales CS G
Hyphaene meshing (the fruit fibres) Arecaceae Arecales St G
Hypocalymma below a veil (of sepals) Myrtaceae Myrtales St G
Hypochaeris Greek and Latin name. Previously Hypochoeris. Asteraceae Asterales St G
Hypoestes undercover Acanthaceae Lamiales Ba G
Hypoxis Greek name[4] Hypoxidaceae Asparagales St G
Hyssopus Greek and Latin name Lamiaceae Lamiales CS G
Iberis Greek name Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Ibicella little ibex Martyniaceae Lamiales St G
Ichtyoselmis fish + fishing line (the flowers) Papaveraceae Ranunculales Ba
Ilex Latin name Aquifoliaceae Aquifoliales CS G
Illicium Latin: enticement Schisandraceae Austrobaileyales CS G
Impatiens Latin: impatient (the forcefully ejected fruit) Balsaminaceae Ericales CS G
Indigofera indigo-bearing Fabaceae Fabales CS G
Indocalamus Latin: East Indies + Greek: reed Poaceae Poales Ba G
Inga Tupi–Guarani name Fabaceae Fabales St G
Inula Latin name Asteraceae Asterales CS G
Io Io, a mythological princess Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Iochroma violet colour Solanaceae Solanales St G
Iogeton Io, a mythological princess, or rusty, or violet Asteraceae Asterales Bu
Ionopsidium violet-like Brassicaceae Brassicales St G
Ionopsis Io, a mythological princess, or violet-appearing Orchidaceae Asparagales Bu G
Ipheion derived from a Greek name[8] Amaryllidaceae Asparagales St G
Iphigenia Iphigenia, a mythological princess Colchicaceae Liliales Bu G
Ipomoea worm-like (the vines) Convolvulaceae Solanales CS G
Ipomopsis Ipomoea-like Polemoniaceae Ericales Ba G
Irenepharsus Eirene (a goddess) + division Brassicaceae Brassicales Bu
Iresine woolly branches, possibly Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales CS G
Iris rainbow (the flowers) Iridaceae Asparagales CS G
Isatis Greek name Brassicaceae Brassicales CS G
Ismene Ismene, a mythological princess Amaryllidaceae Asparagales Bu G
Isolepis equal scales Cyperaceae Poales Ba G
Isopogon evenly bearded (the fruit) Proteaceae Proteales St G
Isopyrum Greek and Latin name Ranunculaceae Ranunculales St G
Isotoma equal sections (in the flowers) Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Itea Greek name[4] Iteaceae Saxifragales CS G
Ixia Greek and Latin name[4] Iridaceae Asparagales St G
Ixiolirion Ixia + lily[4] Ixioliriaceae Asparagales St G
Ixora derived from Sanskrit Rubiaceae Gentianales St G
Jaborosa Arabic name Solanaceae Solanales Ba G
Jacaranda Brazilian name Bignoniaceae Lamiales St G
Jacmaia anagram of Jamaica Asteraceae Asterales Bu G
Janusia Janus, a god Malpighiaceae Malpighiales Bu
Jasione Greek name Campanulaceae Asterales St G
Jasminum Persian name Oleaceae Lamiales CS G
Jatropha doctor food (it is a purgative) Euphorbiaceae Malpighiales St G
Juania Juan Fernández Islands in the Valparaíso Region of Chile Arecaceae Arecales Bu G
Juglans Latin name[4] Juglandaceae Fagales CS G
Juncus binding. Latin name.[4] Juncaceae Poales CS G
Juniperus Latin name Cupressaceae Pinales CS G
Kadsura Japanese name Schisandraceae Austrobaileyales St G
Kalanchoe derived from a Chinese name Crassulaceae Saxifragales CS G
Kalopanax attractive Panax Araliaceae Apiales CS G
Kigelia Mozambique name Bignoniaceae Lamiales St G
Kirengeshoma Japanese name Hydrangeaceae Cornales CS G

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The arrow provides a link to the table row for the given genus.
  2. ^ Page numbers for references are omitted, since all the references list genera alphabetically except for Plants of the World, which is mainly cited for genera that match their family names.
  3. ^ "(Language) name" means the name of some plant originally, not necessarily in this genus.
  4. ^ This list includes fictional and unattested characters; also see List of plant genera named for people (D–J).
  5. ^ Here and following, the Greek echinos is sometimes translated "sea urchin".

Citations

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  1. ^ Cullen, p. 38.
  2. ^ The Linnean Society.
  3. ^ Stearn, p. ix, x.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Christenhusz.
  5. ^ Bayton.
  6. ^ Burkhardt.
  7. ^ Coombes.
  8. ^ a b Gledhill.

References

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  • Bayton, Ross (2020). The Gardener's Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-20017-0.
  • Burkhardt, Lotte (2018). Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen – Erweiterte Edition [Index of Eponymic Plant Names – Extended Edition] (pdf) (in German). Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin. doi:10.3372/epolist2018. ISBN 978-3-946292-26-5. S2CID 187926901. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ for license.
  • Christenhusz, Maarten; Fay, Michael Francis; Chase, Mark Wayne (2017). Plants of the World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Vascular Plants. Chicago, Illinois: Kew Publishing and The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-52292-0.
  • Coombes, Allen (2012). The A to Z of Plant Names: A Quick Reference Guide to 4000 Garden Plants. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 978-1-60469-196-2.
  • Cullen, Katherine E. (2006). Biology: The People Behind the Science. New York, New York: Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-7221-7.
  • Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.
  • The Linnean Society (August 1992). "Publications by William T. Stearn on bibliographical, botanical and horticultural subjects, 1977–1991; a chronological list". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 109 (4): 443–451. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1992.tb01443.x. ISSN 0024-4074.
  • Stearn, William (2002). Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. London: Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-36469-5.

Further reading

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  • Brown, Roland (1956). Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 978-1-56098-848-9.
  • Lewis, Charlton (1891). An Elementary Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-910205-1. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (2013) [1888/1889]. An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon. Mansfield Centre, Connecticut: Martino Fine Books. ISBN 978-1-61427-397-4. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume II, D–L. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-2676-9.