List of plant family names with etymologies

Since the first edition 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] Related genera are in turn grouped into families.[2] Each family's formal name ends in the Latin suffix -aceae and is derived from the name of a genus that is or once was part of the family.[3]

Painting of a bed of irises
Irises, by Vincent van Gogh. The iris (from Greek for "rainbow") is in the family Iridaceae.

The table below contains seed-bearing families from Plants of the World by Maarten J. M. Christenhusz (lead author), Michael F. Fay and Mark W. Chase, with two updated families[a] from Plants of the World Online. The second column gives the family's original type genus, unless that name is no longer accepted in taxonomic databases. The fourth column gives an associated meaning, derivation or person.[2]

Key

LG: derived from a Greek word (G), a Latin word (L), another language (–), or a personal name (P)
Ba: listed in Ross Bayton's The Gardener's Botanical[4]
Bu: listed in Lotte Burkhardt's Index of Eponymic Plant Names[5]
CS: listed in both Allen Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names and William T. Stearn's Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners[6]
Gl: listed in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants[7]
Qu: listed in Umberto Quattrocchi's four-volume CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names[8][9][10][11]
St: listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners[12]
Linked numerical citations in the last column refer to Plants of the World.

Except for Plants of the World, these books list genera alphabetically. "Latin plant name" or "Greek plant name" in the fourth column means that the name appears in Classical Latin or Greek or both for some plant, not necessarily the plant listed here.

Families

Acanthus[b]
Actinidia
Aizoon
Amaranthus
Ancistrocladus
Aphanopetalum
Aphloia
Aster
Balanops
Borago
Calceolaria
Campanula
Caryocar
Ceratophyllum
Cynomorium
Dasypogon
Dipterocarpus
Doryanthes
Eriocaulon
Geissoloma
Geranium fruit
Gyrostemon
Lamium
Lanaria
Lecythis fruit
Limnanthes
Loranthus
Menispermum seeds
Illustration of Orchis
Pera fruit
Phyllanthus
Pittosporum
Podocarpus
Ranunculus
Ripogonum
Rubia illustration
Sarcobatus
Saxifraga
Stachyurus
Staphylea
Open pods of Stegnosperma
Stemona
Stilbe
Trochodendron
Xeronema
Zostera
Zygophyllum
Families
FamilyOriginal type genusLGAssociated meaning, derivation or person[c]OrderRefs
AcanthaceaeAcanthusGthornsLamialesCS[13]
AchariaceaeAchariaPErik Acharius (1757–1819)MalpighialesBu[14]
AchatocarpaceaeAchatocarpusGagate fruitCaryophyllales[15]
AcoraceaeAcorusLLatin plant nameAcoralesCS[16]
ActinidiaceaeActinidiaGradiating out from the center (the styles)EricalesCS[17]
AextoxicaceaeAextoxiconGgoat poisonBerberidopsidales[18]
AizoaceaeAizoonGalways living (in a variety of habitats)CaryophyllalesGl[19]
AkaniaceaeAkaniaGbractless, possiblyBrassicales[20]
AlismataceaeAlismaGGreek plant nameAlismatalesCS[21]
AlseuosmiaceaeAlseuosmiaGgrove fragranceAsteralesSt[22]
AlstroemeriaceaeAlstroemeriaPClas Alströmer (1736–1794)Liliales[23]
AltingiaceaePWillem Arnold Alting (1724–1800), colonial administratorSaxifragalesBu[24]
AlzateaceaeAlzateaPJosé Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez (d. 1795), cartographerMyrtales[25]
AmaranthaceaeAmaranthusGunfadingCaryophyllalesCS[26]
AmaryllidaceaeAmaryllisGAmaryllis, a Greek shepherdess from classical poetryAsparagalesCS[27]
AmborellaceaeAmborellaMalagasy plant nameAmborellales[28]
AnacampserotaceaeAnacampserosGGreek plant nameCaryophyllalesSt[29]
AnacardiaceaeAnacardiumGGreek plant nameSapindalesSt[30]
AncistrocladaceaeAncistrocladusGfish-hooked branchesCaryophyllales[31]
AnisophylleaceaeAnisophylleaGunequal leavesCucurbitales[32]
AnnonaceaeAnnonaTaíno plant nameMagnolialesSt[33]
AphanopetalaceaeAphanopetalumGinconspicuous petalsSaxifragalesGl[34]
AphloiaceaeAphloiaGunbarkedCrossosomatales[35]
ApiaceaeApiumLLatin plant nameApialesCS[36]
ApocynaceaeApocynumGGreek plant nameGentianalesSt[37]
ApodanthaceaeApodanthesGstalkless flowersCucurbitalesQu[38]
AponogetonaceaeAponogetonLnear (hot springs at) Aponus (now Abano Terme)[d]AlismatalesSt[39]
AquifoliaceaeLLatin plant nameAquifoliales[40]
AraceaeArumLGreek and Latin plant nameAlismatalesCS[41]
AraliaceaeAraliaFrench-Canadian plant nameApialesCS[42]
AraucariaceaeAraucariaAraucanos (now Mapuche)PinalesCS[43]
ArecaceaeArecaMalabar plant nameArecalesSt[44]
ArgophyllaceaeArgophyllumGsilver leavesAsterales[45]
AristolochiaceaeAristolochiaGbest childbirth (for which some species used to be prescribed)PiperalesCS[46]
AsparagaceaeAsparagusLLatin plant nameAsparagalesCS[47]
AsphodelaceaeAsphodelineGlike AsphodelusAsparagalesCS[48]
AsteliaceaeAsteliaGtrunklessAsparagalesBa[49]
AsteraceaeAsterLstarAsteralesCS[50]
AsteropeiaceaeAsteropeiaGAsteropeia, daughter of the mythological king PeliasCaryophyllalesBu[51]
AtherospermataceaeAtherospermaGawned seeds, or a reference to the fruitLauralesSt[52]
AustrobaileyaceaeAustrobaileyaPFrederick Manson Bailey (1827–1915) and Irving Widmer Bailey (1884–1967)Austrobaileyales[53]
BalanopaceaeBalanopsGacorn-likeMalpighiales[54]
BalanophoraceaeBalanophoraGacorn-bearing (the shape of the male flower heads)Santalales[55]
BalsaminaceaeGGreek plant nameEricalesGl[56]
BarbeuiaceaeBarbeuiaPJacques Barbeu-Dubourg (1709–1779)Caryophyllales[57]
BarbeyaceaeBarbeyaPWilliam Barbey (1842–1914)Rosales[58]
BasellaceaeBasellaMalabar plant nameCaryophyllalesSt[59]
BataceaeBatisGwalkingBrassicales[60]
BegoniaceaeBegoniaPMichel Bégon (1638–1710), government official and plant collectorCucurbitales[61]
BerberidaceaeBerberisArabic plant nameRanunculalesCS[62]
BerberidopsidaceaeBerberidopsislike BerberisBerberidopsidalesCS[63]
BetulaceaeBetulaLLatin plant nameFagalesCS[64]
BiebersteiniaceaeBiebersteiniaPFriedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein (1768–1826)Sapindales[65]
BignoniaceaeBignoniaPJean-Paul Bignon (1662–1743), statesman and royal librarianLamiales[66]
BixaceaeBixaCarib plant nameMalvalesSt[67]
BlandfordiaceaeBlandfordiaPGeorge Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840)Asparagales[68]
BonnetiaceaeBonnetiaPCharles Bonnet (1720–1793)Malpighiales[69]
BoraginaceaeBoragoLhairy clothes, possibly (the leaves)BoraginalesCS[70]
BoryaceaeBoryaPJean Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent (1778–1846)AsparagalesBu[71]
BrassicaceaeBrassicaLLatin plant nameBrassicalesCS[72]
BromeliaceaeBromeliaPOlof Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish doctor and botanistPoales[73]
BrunelliaceaeBrunelliaPGabriele Brunelli (1728–1797), Italian clergyman and botanistOxalidales[74]
BruniaceaeBruniaPAlexander Brown (fl. 1692–1698), English doctor and plant collectorBrunialesQu[75]
BurmanniaceaeBurmanniaPJohannes Burman (1707–1780)Dioscoreales[76]
BurseraceaeBurseraPJoachim Burser (1583–1639)Sapindales[77]
ButomaceaeButomusGox-wounding (the inedible leaves harm cattle)AlismatalesCS[78]
BuxaceaeBuxusLGreek and Latin plant nameBuxalesCS[79]
ByblidaceaeByblisGByblis, a mythological characterLamialesBu[80]
CabombaceaeCabombaGuianese plant nameNymphaealesSt[81]
CactaceaeGGreek plant nameCaryophyllales[82]
CalceolariaceaeCalceolariaGslipper (the flowers)LamialesCS[83]
CalophyllaceaeCalophyllumGbeautiful leavesMalpighialesSt[84]
CalycanthaceaeCalycanthusGcalyx flower (the sepals are like the petals)LauralesCS[85]
CalyceraceaeCalyceraGcalyx hornAsterales[86]
CampanulaceaeCampanulaLlittle bell (the flowers)AsteralesCS[87]
CampynemataceaeCampynemaGbent threadLiliales[88]
CanellaceaeCanellaGlittle CannaCanellalesSt[89]
CannabaceaeCannabisLGreek and Latin plant nameRosalesSt[90]
CannaceaeCannaGGreek plant nameZingiberalesCS[91]
CapparaceaeCapparisGGreek plant nameBrassicalesSt[92]
CaprifoliaceaeLgoat leavesDipsacales[93]
CardiopteridaceaeCardiopterisGheart wing or fern (the fruit)AquifolialesQu[94]
CaricaceaeCaricaLLatin plant nameBrassicalesSt[95]
CarlemanniaceaeCarlemanniaPCharles Morgan Lemann (1806–1852)LamialesBu[96]
CaryocaraceaeCaryocarGnut heartMalpighiales[97]
CaryophyllaceaeGcloveCaryophyllales
CasuarinaceaeCasuarinafrom a Malaysian word for cassowaryFagalesSt[98]
CelastraceaeCelastrusGGreek plant nameCelastralesCS[99]
CentroplacaceaeCentroplacusGspurred and flat (the styles)MalpighialesQu[100]
CephalotaceaeCephalotusGhead-likeOxalidalesGl[101]
CeratophyllaceaeCeratophyllumGhorned (antler-shaped) leavesCeratophyllalesCS[102]
CercidiphyllaceaeCercidiphyllumGwith leaves like Cercis siliquastrumSaxifragalesCS[103]
ChloranthaceaeChloranthusGgreen flowersChloranthalesBa[104]
ChrysobalanaceaeChrysobalanusGgold acornsMalpighialesSt[105]
CircaeasteraceaeCircaeasterGCirce, a mythological witchRanunculalesBu[106]
CistaceaeCistusLGreek and Latin plant nameMalvalesCS[107]
CleomaceaeCleomeGbrillianceBrassicalesSt[108]
ClethraceaeClethraGGreek plant nameEricalesCS[109]
ClusiaceaeClusiaPCarolus Clusius (1526–1609)MalpighialesBu[110]
ColchicaceaeColchicumGColchisLilialesCS[111]
ColumelliaceaeColumelliaPColumella (1st century)BrunialesBu[112]
CombretaceaeCombretumLLatin plant nameMyrtalesSt[113]
CommelinaceaeCommelinaPJan (1629–1692) and Caspar Commelijn (1667–1734)CommelinalesCS[114]
ConnaraceaeConnarusGGreek plant nameOxalidales[115]
ConvolvulaceaeConvolvulusLtwiningSolanalesCS[116]
CoriariaceaeCoriariaLleather (for tanning)CucurbitalesCS[117]
CornaceaeCornusLLatin plant nameCornalesCS[118]
CorsiaceaeCorsiaPBardo Corsi Salviati (1844–1907), Italian noblemanLilialesBu[119]
CorynocarpaceaeCorynocarpusGclub fruitCucurbitalesSt[120]
CostaceaeCostusLLatin plant nameZingiberalesSt[121]
CrassulaceaeCrassulaLlittle thick (the leaves)SaxifragalesCS[122]
CrossosomataceaeCrossosomaGfringed body (the seeds)Crossosomatales[123]
CrypteroniaceaeCrypteroniaGhidden love (the small flowers)Myrtales[124]
CtenolophonaceaeCtenolophonGcomb hillsMalpighiales[125]
CucurbitaceaeCucurbitaLLatin plant nameCucurbitalesCS[126]
CunoniaceaeCunoniaPJohann Christian Cuno (b. 1708)OxalidalesBu[127]
CupressaceaeCupressusLGreek and Latin plant namePinalesCS[128]
CurtisiaceaeCurtisiaPWilliam Curtis (1746–1799)CornalesBu[129]
CycadaceaeCycasGGreek plant nameCycadalesCS[130]
CyclanthaceaeCyclanthusGcircle of flowersPandanalesSt[131]
CymodoceaceaeCymodoceaGCymodoce, a sea nymphAlismatalesBu[132]
CynomoriaceaeCynomoriumGdog penisSaxifragales[133]
CyperaceaeCyperusGGreek plant namePoalesCS[134]
CyrillaceaeCyrillaPDomenico Cirillo (1739–1799)EricalesSt[135]
CytinaceaeCytinusGpart of a pomegranateMalvales[136]
DaphniphyllaceaeDaphniphyllumGleaves like DaphneSaxifragalesCS[137]
DasypogonaceaeDasypogonGhairy beardArecales[138]
DatiscaceaeDatiscaLGreek and Latin plant nameCucurbitalesCS[139]
DegeneriaceaeDegeneriaPOtto Degener (1899–1988)MagnolialesBu[140]
DiapensiaceaeDiapensiaGGreek plant nameEricalesSt[141]
DichapetalaceaeDichapetalumGtwo-part petalsMalpighiales[142]
DidiereaceaeDidiereaPAlfred Grandidier (1836–1921)CaryophyllalesBa[143]
DilleniaceaeDilleniaPJohann Jacob Dillenius (1684–1747)Dilleniales[144]
DioncophyllaceaeDioncophyllumGtwo-hooked leavesCaryophyllales[145]
DioscoreaceaeDioscoreaPPedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 – c. 90)Dioscoreales[146]
DipentodontaceaeDipentodonGtwo groups of five teeth (on the sepals and petals)Huerteales[147]
DipterocarpaceaeDipterocarpusGtwo-winged fruitMalvales[148]
DirachmaceaeDirachmaSocotran name, possiblyRosales[58]
DoryanthaceaeDoryanthesGspear of flowersAsparagalesSt[149]
DroseraceaeDroseraGdew (the secretions)CaryophyllalesSt[150]
DrosophyllaceaeDrosophyllumGdewy leavesCaryophyllales[151]
EbenaceaeGGreek plant nameEricales[152]
EcdeiocoleaceaeEcdeiocoleaGbinding sheath (the scaly leaves)Poales[153]
ElaeagnaceaeElaeagnusGGreek plant nameRosalesCS[154]
ElaeocarpaceaeElaeocarpusGolive (oil) fruitOxalidalesSt[155]
ElatinaceaeElatineLGreek and Latin plant nameMalpighialesSt[156]
EmblingiaceaeEmblingiaPThomas Embling (1814–1893), doctorBrassicalesQu[157]
EphedraceaeEphedraLGreek and Latin plant nameEphedralesSt[158]
EricaceaeEricaLGreek and Latin plant nameEricalesCS[159]
EriocaulaceaeEriocaulonGwoolly stemPoales[160]
ErythroxylaceaeErythroxylumGred woodMalpighialesSt[161]
EscalloniaceaeEscalloniaPAntonio José Escallón y Flórez (1739–1819), Spanish official and plant-hunter in South AmericaEscalloniales[162]
EucommiaceaeEucommiaGgood gumGarryalesSt[163]
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbiaLGreek and Latin plant nameMalpighialesCS[164]
EuphroniaceaeEuphroniaPEuphronis, ancient writer on cultivationMalpighialesBu[165]
EupomatiaceaeEupomatiaGwell-cappedMagnoliales[166]
EupteleaceaeEupteleaGgood elmRanunculalesSt[167]
FabaceaeLLatin plant nameFabales[168]
FagaceaeFagusLLatin plant nameFagalesCS[169]
FlagellariaceaeFlagellariaGwhip-like (tendrils)Poales[170]
FouquieriaceaeFouquieriaPPierre Fouquier (1776–1850), doctorEricales[171]
FrancoaceaeFrancoaPFrancisco Franco (c. 1515 – c. 1569), Spanish doctorGeraniales[172]
FrankeniaceaeFrankeniaPJohann Francke (1590–1661), Swedish botanistCaryophyllales[173]
GarryaceaeGarryaPNicholas Garry (c. 1782 – 1856), merchant and traderGarryales[174]
GeissolomataceaeGeissolomaGtiled fringe (the petals)CrossosomatalesQu[175]
GelsemiaceaeGelsemiumItalian plant nameGentianalesCS[176]
GentianaceaeGentianaPGentius (d. 168 BC), kingGentianales[177]
GeraniaceaeGeraniumLcrane (the fruit). Greek and Latin name.GeranialesCS[178]
GerrardinaceaeGerrardinaPWilliam Tyrer Gerrard (c. 1831 – 1866)HuertealesQu[179]
GesneriaceaeGesneriaPConrad Gessner (1516–1565)LamialesSt[180]
GinkgoaceaeGinkgoChinese and Japanese plant nameGinkgoalesCS[181]
GisekiaceaeGisekiaPPaul Dietrich Giseke (1741–1796)CaryophyllalesQu[182]
GnetaceaeGnetumMaluku or Malay plant nameGnetales[183]
GomortegaceaeGomortegaPCasimiro Gómez Ortega (1741–1818)LauralesBu[184]
GoodeniaceaeGoodeniaPSamuel Goodenough (1743–1827)Asterales[185]
GoupiaceaeGoupiaNdyuka plant nameMalpighiales[186]
GriseliniaceaeGriseliniaPFrancesco Griselini (1717–1783), Italian botanistApiales[187]
GrossulariaceaeLLatin plant nameSaxifragales[188]
GrubbiaceaeGrubbiaPMichael Grubb (1728–1808), Swedish botanist, plant collector and mineralogistCornalesQu[189]
GuamatelaceaeGuamatelaanagram of GuatemalaCrossosomatales[190]
GunneraceaeGunneraPJohan Ernst Gunnerus (1718–1773)Gunnerales[191]
GyrostemonaceaeGyrostemonGround stamensBrassicales[192]
HaemodoraceaeHaemodorumGblood giftCommelinales[193]
HalophytaceaeHalophytumGsalt plantCaryophyllales[194]
HaloragaceaeHaloragisGsalt berriesSaxifragales[195]
HamamelidaceaeHamamelisGGreek plant nameSaxifragalesCS[196]
HanguanaceaeHanguanaIndonesian plant nameCommelinales[197]
HeliconiaceaeHeliconiaLLatin name, from Mount HeliconZingiberalesSt[198]
HelwingiaceaeHelwingiaPGeorg Andreas Helwing (1666–1748)Aquifoliales[199]
HernandiaceaeHernandiaPFrancisco Hernández de Toledo (1514–1587)LauralesQu[200]
HimantandraceaeGstrap-like male partsMagnoliales[140]
HuaceaeHuaPHenri Hua (1861–1919), French botanistOxalidalesBu[201]
HumiriaceaeHumiriaCarib plant nameMalpighiales[202]
HydatellaceaeGlittle water (plant)Nymphaeales[203]
HydrangeaceaeHydrangeaGwater container (the cup-shaped capsules)CornalesCS[204]
HydrocharitaceaeHydrocharisGwater graceAlismatalesSt[205]
HydroleaceaeHydroleaGwater oliveSolanalesSt[206]
HydrostachyaceaeHydrostachysGwater spikeCornales[207]
HypericaceaeHypericumGGreek plant nameMalpighiales[208]
HypoxidaceaeHypoxisGGreek plant nameAsparagalesSt[209]
IcacinaceaeIcacinaArawak name, originallyIcacinales[210]
IridaceaeIrisGrainbow (the flowers)AsparagalesCS[211]
IrvingiaceaeIrvingiaPEdward Irving (1816–1855)MalpighialesQu[212]
IteaceaeIteaGGreek plant nameSaxifragalesCS[213]
IxioliriaceaeIxiolirionGIxia + lilyAsparagalesSt[214]
IxonanthaceaeIxonanthesGsticky flowersMalpighialesGl[215]
JoinvilleaceaeJoinvilleaPFrançois d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville (1818–1900)PoalesBu[216]
JuglandaceaeJuglansLLatin plant nameFagalesCS[217]
JuncaceaeJuncusLbinding. Latin name.PoalesCS[134]
JuncaginaceaeLLatin plant nameAlismatales[218]
KewaceaeKewaKew, London, EnglandCaryophyllales[219]
KirkiaceaeKirkiaPJohn Kirk (1832–1922)SapindalesBu[77]
KoeberliniaceaeKoeberliniaPChristoph Ludwig Köberlin (1794–1862), German botanist and clergymanBrassicalesBu[220]
KrameriaceaeKrameriaPWilhelm Heinrich Kramer (1724–1765)Zygophyllales[221]
LacistemataceaeLacistemaLtorn + Greek: stamensMalpighiales[222]
LamiaceaeLamiumLLatin name: open mouth (the flowers)LamialesCS[223]
LanariaceaeLanariaGwoollyAsparagales[224]
LardizabalaceaeLardizabalaPManuel de Lardizábal y Uribe (1744–1824), politicianRanunculales[225]
LauraceaeLaurusLLatin plant nameLauralesCS[226]
LecythidaceaeLecythisGoil pot (the shape of the fruit)Ericales[227]
LentibulariaceaeGlentil-shaped bladders, probablyLamiales[228]
LepidobotryaceaeLepidobotrysGscale clustersCelastrales[229]
LiliaceaeLiliumLLatin plant nameLilialesCS[230]
LimeaceaeLimeumLpath (some habitats)Caryophyllales[231]
LimnanthaceaeLimnanthesGmarsh flowersBrassicalesSt[232]
LinaceaeLinumLLatin plant nameMalpighialesCS[233]
LinderniaceaeLinderniaPFranz Balthasar von Lindern (1682–1755), French doctor and botanistLamialesBu[234]
LoasaceaeLoasaprobably a South American plant nameCornalesSt[235]
LoganiaceaeLoganiaPJames Logan (1674–1751)Gentianales[236]
LophiocarpaceaeLophiocarpusGsmall-crested fruitCaryophyllales[237]
LophopyxidaceaeLophopyxisGcrested box (the fruit)Malpighiales[238]
LoranthaceaeLoranthusLstrap + Greek: flowersSantalales[239]
LowiaceaeLowiaPHugh Lowe (1824–1905), English colonial administrator and naturalistZingiberalesBu[240]
LythraceaeLythrumGbloody (the flowers)MyrtalesCS[241]
MacarthuriaceaeMacarthuriaPWilliam Macarthur (1800–1882)CaryophyllalesQu[242]
MagnoliaceaeMagnoliaPPierre Magnol (1638–1715)Magnoliales[243]
MalpighiaceaeMalpighiaPMarcello Malpighi (1628–1694)Malpighiales[244]
MalvaceaeMalvaLLatin plant nameMalvalesCS[245]
MarantaceaeMarantaPBartolomeo Maranta (1500–1571)Zingiberales[246]
MarcgraviaceaeMarcgraviaPGeorg Marcgrave (1610–1644)EricalesQu[247]
MartyniaceaeMartyniaPJohn Martyn (1699–1768)Lamiales[248]
MaundiaceaeMaundiaPJohn Maund (1823–1858), English-born Australian doctor and chemistAlismatalesBu[249]
MayacaceaeMayacaFrench Guianese plant namePoalesSt[250]
MazaceaeMazusGteat, for swellings on the lower lip of the flowersLamialesCS[251]
MelanthiaceaeMelanthiumGdark flowersLilialesSt[252]
MelastomataceaeMelastomaGblack mouth (the berries stain the mouth when eaten)MyrtalesSt[253]
MeliaceaeMeliaGGreek plant nameSapindalesCS[254]
MenispermaceaeMenispermumGmoon seedsRanunculalesSt[255]
MenyanthaceaeMenyanthesGGreek name: small flowers or moon flowersAsteralesCS[256]
MetteniusaceaeMetteniusaPGeorg Heinrich Mettenius (1823–1866)MetteniusalesBu[257]
MicroteaceaeMicroteaGsmallness, probablyCaryophyllales[258]
MisodendraceaeMisodendrumGhating treesSantalales[259]
MitrastemonaceaeMitrastemonGmiter + stamensEricales[260]
MolluginaceaeMollugoGsoftCaryophyllales[261]
MonimiaceaeMonimiaPMonime (d. 71 BC), a queen of PontusLauralesBu[262]
MontiaceaeMontiaPGiuseppe Monti (1682–1760)Caryophyllales[263]
MontiniaceaeMontiniaPLars Jonasson Montin (1723–1785), Swedish botanist and doctorSolanalesBu[264]
MoraceaeMorusLGreek and Latin plant nameRosalesCS[265]
MoringaceaeMoringaLatinised Tamil plant nameBrassicalesSt[266]
MuntingiaceaeMuntingiaPAbraham Munting (1626–1683)MalvalesBu[267]
MusaceaeMusaLatinised Arabic plant nameZingiberalesSt[268]
MyodocarpaceaeMyodocarpusGmouse (-eared) fruitApiales[269]
MyricaceaeMyricaLGreek and Latin plant nameFagalesCS[270]
MyristicaceaeMyristicaGfragrant ointmentMagnolialesSt[271]
MyrothamnaceaeMyrothamnusGperfume bushGunnerales[272]
MyrtaceaeMyrtusLGreek and Latin plant nameMyrtalesCS[273]
NartheciaceaeNartheciumGGreek plant nameDioscorealesSt[274]
NelumbonaceaeNelumboSinhalese plant nameProtealesSt[275]
NepenthaceaeNepenthesGantidepressantCaryophyllalesSt[276]
NeuradaceaeNeuradaLGreek and Latin plant nameMalvalesQu[277]
NitrariaceaeNitrariaGniter (found in the habitat)Sapindales[278]
NothofagaceaeNothofagusLfalse FagusFagalesCS[279]
NyctaginaceaeGnight (flowering)Caryophyllales[280]
NymphaeaceaeNymphaeaGwater nymphsNymphaealesCS[281]
NyssaceaeNyssaGNysa, a water nymphCornalesCS[282]
OchnaceaeOchnaGGreek plant nameMalpighialesSt[283]
OlacaceaeOlaxLscented (wood)Santalales[284]
OleaceaeOleaLLatin plant nameLamialesCS[285]
OnagraceaeGonager (fodder)Myrtales[286]
OncothecaceaeOncothecaGbulky box (the anthers)IcacinalesQu[287]
OpiliaceaeOpilia(unknown)Santalales[288]
OrchidaceaeOrchisGtesticle (the root tubers)AsparagalesSt[289]
OrobanchaceaeOrobancheLGreek and Latin plant nameLamialesSt[290]
OxalidaceaeOxalisLGreek and Latin plant nameOxalidalesCS[291]
PaeoniaceaePaeoniaLGreek and Latin plant nameSaxifragalesCS[292]
PandaceaePandaPPaul Panda Farnana (1888–1930)Malpighiales[293]
PandanaceaePandanusMalay plant namePandanalesSt[294]
PapaveraceaePapaverLLatin plant nameRanunculalesCS[295]
ParacryphiaceaeParacryphiaGalmost hiddenParacryphialesQu[296]
PassifloraceaePassifloraLLatin: passion flowersMalpighialesCS[297]
PaulowniaceaePaulowniaPAnna Pavlovna of Russia (1795–1865)Lamiales[298]
PedaliaceaePedaliumGrudderLamiales[299]
PenaeaceaePenaeaPPierre Pena (1535–1605), French doctor and botanistMyrtalesBu[300]
PennantiaceaePennantiaPThomas Pennant (1726–1798)ApialesBu[301]
PentadiplandraceaePentadiplandraGfive double male parts (the ten stamens, usually)Brassicales[302]
PentaphragmataceaePentaphragmaGfive fences (around the ovaries)AsteralesQu[303]
PentaphylacaceaePentaphylaxGfive guardians (the stamens)EricalesQu[304]
PenthoraceaePenthorumGfive (sections per fruit)Saxifragales[305]
PeraceaePeraGpouch (the fruits)Malpighiales[306]
PeridiscaceaePeridiscusGaround the disk (the stamens)SaxifragalesQu[307]
PetenaeaceaePetenaeaLake Petén ItzáHuerteales[308]
PetermanniaceaePetermanniaPAugust Heinrich Petermann (1822–1878), cartographerLilialesBu[309]
PetiveriaceaePetiveriaPJames Petiver (c. 1660 – 1718)Caryophyllales[310]
PetrosaviaceaePetrosaviaPPietro Savi (1811–1871), Italian professor of botanyPetrosavialesBu[311]
PhellinaceaePhellineGcorky (the fruits and seeds)AsteralesQu[312]
PhilesiaceaePhilesiaGlovingLilialesSt[313]
PhilydraceaePhilydrumGfriend of waterCommelinales[314]
PhrymaceaePhrymaGtoad, possiblyLamiales[315]
PhyllanthaceaePhyllanthusGleaf-flowers (the source of some flowers)MalpighialesSt[316]
PhyllonomaceaePhyllonomaGleaf meadow (the flowers sprouting from the leaves)AquifolialesQu[317]
PhysenaceaePhysenaGinflated (the fruit)CaryophyllalesQu[318]
PhytolaccaceaePhytolaccaGplant lacCaryophyllalesCS[319]
PicramniaceaePicramniaGbitter bushPicramniales[320]
PicrodendraceaePicrodendronGbitter treeMalpighiales[321]
PinaceaePinusLLatin plant namePinalesCS[322]
PiperaceaePiperLLatin name, from Sanskrit and Greek namesPiperalesSt[323]
PittosporaceaePittosporumGtar seedsApialesCS[324]
PlantaginaceaePlantagoLLatin plant nameLamialesCS[325]
PlatanaceaePlatanusLGreek and Latin plant nameProtealesCS[326]
PlocospermataceaePlocospermaGtufted seedsLamiales[327]
PlumbaginaceaePlumbagoLLatin plant nameCaryophyllalesCS[328]
PoaceaePoaGGreek plant namePoalesCS[329]
PodocarpaceaePodocarpusGstalked fruitPinalesCS[330]
PodostemaceaePodostemumGfoot stamensMalpighialesGl[331]
PolemoniaceaePolemoniumLGreek and Latin plant nameEricalesCS[332]
PolygalaceaePolygalaLGreek and Latin plant nameFabalesCS[333]
PolygonaceaePolygonumLGreek and Latin plant nameCaryophyllalesSt[334]
PontederiaceaePontederiaPGiulio Pontedera (1688–1757)Commelinales[335]
PortulacaceaePortulacaLLatin plant nameCaryophyllalesSt[336]
PosidoniaceaePosidoniaGPoseidon, a godAlismatalesBu[337]
PotamogetonaceaePotamogetonLGreek and Latin plant nameAlismatalesSt[338]
PrimulaceaePrimulaLMedieval Latin plant nameEricalesCS[339]
ProteaceaeProteaGProteus of mythologyProtealesSt[340]
PutranjivaceaePutranjivaSanskrit plant nameMalpighiales[341]
QuillajaceaeQuillajaChilean plant nameFabalesSt[342]
RafflesiaceaeRafflesiaPStamford Raffles (1781–1826)Malpighiales[343]
RanunculaceaeRanunculusLLatin: little frog (some species are aquatic)RanunculalesCS[344]
RapateaceaeRapateaFrench Guianese name, probablyPoales[345]
ResedaceaeResedaLLatin plant nameBrassicalesSt[346]
RestionaceaeRestioLrope-makerPoalesBa[347]
RhabdodendraceaeRhabdodendronGrod treeCaryophyllales[348]
RhamnaceaeRhamnusLGreek and Latin plant nameRosalesCS[349]
RhizophoraceaeRhizophoraGroot-bearingMalpighiales[350]
RipogonaceaeRipogonumGwicker knees (the many joints on the tangled stalks)LilialesSt[351]
RoridulaceaeRoridulaGdewy (leaves)EricalesGl[352]
RosaceaeRosaLLatin plant nameRosalesCS[353]
RousseaceaeRousseaPJean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), Enlightenment philosopherAsteralesBu[354]
RubiaceaeRubiaLred (the roots, used in dyeing)GentianalesSt[355]
RuppiaceaeRuppiaPHeinrich Bernhard Ruppius (1688–1719)AlismatalesQu[337]
RutaceaeRutaLLatin plant nameSapindalesCS[356]
SabiaceaeSabiaHindi plant nameProteales[357]
SalicaceaeSalixLLatin plant nameMalpighialesCS[358]
SalvadoraceaeSalvadoraPJaime Salvador y Pedrol (1649–1740), Spanish apothecaryBrassicalesBu[359]
SantalaceaeSantalumLGreek and Latin plant nameSantalalesSt[360]
SapindaceaeSapindusLsoap of IndiaSapindalesSt[361]
SapotaceaeNahuatl plant nameEricales[362]
SarcobataceaeSarcobatusGfleshy thorn bushCaryophyllalesGl[363]
SarcolaenaceaeSarcolaenaGflesh cloakMalvales[364]
SarraceniaceaeSarraceniaPMichel Sarrazin (1659–1736)Ericales[365]
SaururaceaeSaururusGlizard tailPiperalesSt[366]
SaxifragaceaeSaxifragaLstone-breakingSaxifragalesCS[367]
ScheuchzeriaceaeScheuchzeriaPJohann Gaspar Scheuchzer (1684–1738) and his brother Johann Jacob Scheuchzer (1672–1733)AlismatalesBu[368]
SchisandraceaeSchisandraGdivided male parts (the anthers)AustrobaileyalesCS[369]
SchlegeliaceaeSchlegeliaPHermann Schlegel (1804–1884)LamialesBu[370]
SchoepfiaceaeSchoepfiaPJohann David Schoepff (1752–1800)SantalalesBu[371]
SciadopityaceaeSciadopitysGumbel or parasol + pine or fir (the leaves)PinalesCS[372]
ScrophulariaceaeScrophulariaL(supposed cure for) scrofulaLamialesSt[373]
SetchellanthaceaeSetchellanthusPWilliam Albert Setchell (1864–1943)BrassicalesBu[374]
SimaroubaceaeSimaroubaCarib plant nameSapindales[375]
SimmondsiaceaeSimmondsiaPThomas William Simmonds (1767–1804), English doctor and naturalistCaryophyllalesBa[376]
SiparunaceaeSiparunaFrench Guianese plant nameLaurales[377]
SladeniaceaeSladeniaPEdward Bosc Sladen (1827–1890), army officerEricalesBu[378]
SmilacaceaeSmilaxLGreek and Latin plant nameLilialesCS[379]
SolanaceaeSolanumLLatin plant nameSolanalesCS[380]
SphaerosepalaceaeGspherical sepalsMalvales[381]
SphenocleaceaeSphenocleaGclosed wedge (the fruit capsules)Solanales[382]
StachyuraceaeStachyurusGspike tail (the inflorescences)CrossosomatalesCS[383]
StaphyleaceaeStaphyleaGclusters (of flowers)CrossosomatalesCS[384]
StegnospermataceaeStegnospermaGseeds covered (by arilla)Caryophyllales
StemonaceaeStemonaGstamensPandanales[385]
StemonuraceaeStemonurusGstamen tailAquifoliales[386]
StilbaceaeStilbeGshiningLamiales[387]
StrasburgeriaceaeStrasburgeriaPEduard Strasburger (1844–1912)CrossosomatalesBu[388]
StrelitziaceaeStrelitziaPCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818)Zingiberales[389]
StylidiaceaeStylidiumGlittle pillar (the style and stamens form a column)AsteralesSt[390]
StyracaceaeStyraxLGreek and Latin name, from an Arabic plant nameEricalesCS[391]
SurianaceaeSurianaPJoseph Donat Surian (1650–1691), French doctor, chemist and botanistFabalesBu[392]
SymplocaceaeSymplocosGcombination (the unified stamens)EricalesSt[393]
TalinaceaeTalinum(unclear)CaryophyllalesBa[394]
TamaricaceaeTamarixLLatin plant nameCaryophyllalesCS[395]
TapisciaceaeTapisciaanagram of PistaciaHuerteales[396]
TaxaceaeTaxusLLatin plant namePinalesCS[397]
TecophilaeaceaeTecophilaeaPTecophila Billotti (1802 or 1803 – 1885 or 1886), Italian botanical artistAsparagales[398]
TetracarpaeaceaeTetracarpaeaGfour-fruitedSaxifragales[399]
TetrachondraceaeTetrachondraGfour-cartilagedLamialesQu[400]
TetramelaceaeTetramelesGfour parts (the sepals)Cucurbitales[401]
TetrameristaceaeTetrameristaGfour-part (flowers)Ericales[402]
TheaceaeChinese plant nameEricales[403]
ThomandersiaceaeThomandersiaPThomas Anderson (1832–1870)LamialesBu[404]
ThurniaceaeThurniaPEverard im Thurn (1852–1932)PoalesBu[405]
ThymelaeaceaeThymelaeaGpoison oliveMalvales[406]
TicodendraceaeTicodendronGTico treeFagales[407]
TofieldiaceaeTofieldiaPThomas Tofield (1730–1779), English hydrological engineer and botanistAlismatalesBu[408]
TorricelliaceaeTorricelliaPEvangelista Torricelli (1608–1647), physicist and mathematicianApialesBu[409]
TovariaceaeTovariaPSimón de Tovar, Spanish doctor and botanistBrassicalesBu[157]
TrigoniaceaeTrigoniaGtriangular (the fruit)Malpighiales[410]
TrimeniaceaeTrimeniaPHenry Trimen (1843–1896)AustrobaileyalesBu[411]
TriuridaceaeTriurisGthree tailsPandanales[412]
TrochodendraceaeTrochodendronGwheel (of stamens) + treeTrochodendralesCS[413]
TropaeolaceaeTropaeolumGtrophyBrassicalesCS[414]
TyphaceaeTyphaLGreek and Latin plant namePoalesCS[415]
UlmaceaeUlmusLLatin plant nameRosalesCS[416]
UrticaceaeUrticaLLatin plant nameRosalesSt[417]
VahliaceaeVahliaPMartin Vahl (1749–1804)VahlialesQu[418]
VelloziaceaeVelloziaPJoaquim Velloso de Miranda (1733–1815), Brazilian clergyman and plant collectorPandanalesBu[419]
VerbenaceaeVerbenaLceremonial plantLamialesCS[420]
ViburnaceaeViburnumLLatin name. Previously Adoxaceae.DipsacalesCS[83]
ViolaceaeViolaLLatin plant nameMalpighialesCS[421]
VitaceaeVitisLLatin plant nameVitalesCS[422]
VochysiaceaeVochysiaCarib plant nameMyrtales[423]
WelwitschiaceaeWelwitschiaPFriedrich Welwitsch (1806–1872)Welwitschiales[424]
WinteraceaeWinteraPJohn Winter (16th century), ship captainCanellalesBu[425]
XeronemataceaeXeronemaGdry threadAsparagales[426]
XyridaceaeXyrisGrazor (the leaves)Poales[427]
ZamiaceaeZamiaLfrom a Latin plant nameCycadalesCS[428]
ZingiberaceaeZingiberLGreek and Latin name, from a Sanskrit plant nameZingiberalesSt[429]
ZosteraceaeZosteraGbeltAlismatales[430]
ZygophyllaceaeZygophyllumGyoked leavesZygophyllales[431]

See also

Notes

Citations

References

  • 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. pp. 18–637. 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.
  • POWO (2019). "Plants of the World Online". London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See See https://www.kew.org/science/collections-and-resources/data-and-digital/terms-of-use for license.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume I, A–C. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-2675-2.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume II, D–L. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-2676-9.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume III, M–Q. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44751-9.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume IV, R–Z. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44750-2.
  • Stearn, William (2002). Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. London: Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-36469-5.
  • Turland, N. J.; et al. (eds.). International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017 (electronic ed.). Glashütten: International Association for Plant Taxonomy. Retrieved 25 February 2022.

Further reading