Latin binomials define plant genus and species, are more specific than common names, and help identify plants in a field guide
Every plant has a Latin binomial—genus and species name—which helps people understand each other when discussing specific plants, whose common names are extremely variable. What’s a genus? What’s a common name? It’s all explained in this week’s article on Latin plant names.
Many of us find foreign languages daunting, but don’t worry—you don’t necessarily have to memorize the Latin names. You can just use them for reference when looking up plants in your field guide. Nor do you have to worry about grammar or pronunciation—Latin is a dead language, so we’re allowed to pronounce the names however we want. And some of them are quite lovely to the ear—try saying Verbascum thapsus (mullein) or Prunella vulgaris (self-heal). How about Arctium lappa (burdock) and Lactuca scariola (wild lettuce)?
The genus name is generally a noun. Lactuca, the name of the wild lettuce genus, refers to the Latin word for “milk”, as these plants contain milky sap. Achillea, the yarrow genus, is named for the ancient Greek general Achilles, who healed the wounds of his soldiers with applications of yarrow, which stops bleeding. The bee balm genus is called Monarda, after botanist Nicholas Monarda.
The species name is usually an adjective that gives a clue to the plant’s characteristics. The word repens means creeping, canadensis implies that the species originated in Canada, and officinalis indicates that the species was officially listed in herbal pharmacopoeias.
Even if you’re not a linguist or botanist, Latin names can be fascinating.
