Latin for Gardeners: How to Decode Botanical Names Using Our Dictionary

Have you ever wondered why your lavender is called Lavandula angustifolia or why that common weed is Taraxacum officinale?

Botanical nomenclature—the system of naming plants—is almost entirely based on Latin. For gardeners and plant enthusiasts, a basic understanding of Latin roots can reveal a wealth of information about a plant’s appearance, origin, and history.

Common Descriptors in Your Garden

Many botanical names use standard Latin adjectives to describe the plant. Here are some of the most common ones you'll find:

Vulgaris: Common. (e.g., Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac).
Officinalis: Medicinal or used in an apothecary. (e.g., Rosmarinus officinalis, rosemary).
Grandiflora: Large-flowered.
Angustifolia: Narrow-leaved.
Repens: Creeping or crawling.

How to Look Up Plant Names

When you encounter a plant name you don't recognize, you can use our Latin Dictionary to decode it.

Split the name: Botanical names usually consist of a Genus (the first word) and a Specific Epithet (the second word).
Search the Epithet: The second word is often the descriptive Latin adjective. Paste it into our search bar to see its definition.
Check the Gender: You might notice that the endings change (-us, -a, -um). Our inflection tables will show you how these adjectives change to match the gender of the genus name.

Why It Matters

Understanding these names isn't just for show. It helps you:

Identify plants: Knowing alba means white helps you identify Rosa alba before it even blooms.
Understand growing habits: Palustris means "of the marsh," telling you that the plant likely needs a lot of water.
Connect with history: Many names honor famous botanists or ancient myths.

Explore More

Latin is all around us, from the garden to the courtroom. If you're interested in diving deeper into the language of the natural world, browse our Library for ancient texts on botany and agriculture, or use our Text Analyzer to translate longer botanical descriptions.

Start your botanical journey today: Search for a plant name root.