- abies
- Fir-like; resembling or related to the fir tree (Abies). — Example: picea abies
- abrotanum
- Southernwood; the ancient name for Artemisia abrotanum. — Example: artemesia abrotanum
- Abscisic Acid
- A stress hormone that triggers dormancy, closes stomata during drought, and inhibits shoot growth.
- Abscission
- The natural process by which plants shed leaves, flowers, or fruit.
- Acaulis
- Stemless; having no visible above-ground stem. — Example: primula acaulis
- Acerifolius
- Maple-leaved; having palmate, lobed leaves like a maple. — Example: platanus acerifolia
- acetosa
- Sour-tasting; with acidic leaves. — Example: rumex acetosa
- acetosella
- Slightly sour; little vinegar plant. Feminine diminutive. — Example: rumex acetosella
- Acris
- Sharp or pungent; having a biting, acrid taste or smell. — Example: ranunculus acris
- Aculeatus
- Prickly; armed with sharp prickles arising from the bark. — Example: robinia aculeata
- Acuminatus
- Tapering to a sharp, elongated point; acuminate-tipped. — Example: magnolia acuminata
- Adscendens
- Ascending; growing upward from a reclining base. — Example: oxalis adscendens
- Adventitious Root
- A root that arises from a non-root tissue such as a stem or leaf.
- Aeration
- The process of introducing air into soil to reduce compaction.
- Aestivalis
- Of summer; flowering or most vigorous in summer. — Example: leucojum aestivum
- Affinis
- Related; closely resembling or allied to another species. — Example: neillia affinis
- agnus-castus
- Chaste tree; meaning chaste lamb in Latin and Greek. — Example: vitex agnuscastus
- Air Layering
- A propagation method where roots are induced to form on a stem while still attached to the parent plant.
- Air Pruning
- The natural desiccation of root tips when exposed to air, which stimulates dense lateral root branching.
- alata
- Winged; with wing-like ridges or appendages. — Example: nicotiana alata
- alatamaha
- Of the Altamaha River, Georgia; named for its place of discovery. — Example: franklinia alatamaha
- Alatus
- Winged; having wing-like extensions on stems, seeds, or fruits. — Example: euonymus alatus
- Alba
- White; having white-colored parts. — Example: morus alba
- albicaulis
- White-stemmed; having pale or white stems. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: pinus albicaulis
- albidum
- Whitish; somewhat white or pale. — Example: sassafras
- albosinensis
- White Chinese; the white-barked birch from China. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: betula albosinensis var
- Albus
- White; applied to plants with notably white flowers, fruit, or bark. — Example: symphoricarpos albus
- alleghaniensis
- Of the Allegheny Mountains. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: betula alleghaniensis
- Allelopathy
- The production of biochemicals by a plant that inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.
- alnifolia
- Alder-leaved; with leaves resembling Alnus. — Example: sorbus alnifolia
- alopecuroides
- Foxtail-like; resembling the grass Alopecurus. Same form for all genders. — Example: pennisetum alopecuroides
- Alternate
- A leaf arrangement where single leaves emerge one at a time at each node.
- Alternatus
- Alternate; with leaves arranged singly at each node, alternating sides. — Example: lonicera alternata
- alternifolia
- Alternate-leaved; leaves arranged alternately on the stem. — Example: cornus alternifolia
- Altissimus
- Tallest; of the greatest height in its genus or family. — Example: ailanthus altissima
- Amendment
- Any material added to soil to improve its physical or chemical properties.
- amurensis
- Of the Amur River region. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: maackia amurensis
- anagyroides
- Resembling Anagyris; like the bean trefoil. Same form for all genders. — Example: laburnum anagyroides
- Andromonoecious
- Having both bisexual (perfect) flowers and male-only flowers on the same plant.
- Angiosperm
- A flowering plant that produces seeds enclosed within a fruit.
- Angulatus
- Angled; having distinct angles on stems or other organs. — Example: juncus angulatus
- annua
- Annual; completing its life cycle in one year. — Example: lunaria annua
- Annual
- A plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season.
- Annuus
- Annual; completing its life cycle in a single year. — Example: poa annua
- ANSI A300
- The American National Standard for tree care operations, providing industry-accepted practices.
- Anther
- The pollen-bearing tip of a stamen.
- Anthracnose
- A group of fungal diseases causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits.
- Antiquus
- Ancient; of great age or long-established cultivation. — Example: rosa antiqua
- aparine
- Cleavers; the ancient Greek name for the sticky Galium. — Example: galium aparine
- Apricus
- Sun-loving; growing in or preferring open, sunny situations. — Example: sedum apricum
- Aquatic Plant
- A plant that grows partially or fully submerged in water.
- aquifolium
- Holly-leaved; with sharp needle-pointed leaves. — Example: ilex aquifolium
- aquilinum
- Eagle-like; with fronds resembling an eagle spread in flight. — Example: pteridium aquilinum
- Arabicus
- Of Arabia; from the Arabian Peninsula or surrounding desert regions. — Example: dianthus arabicus
- araucana
- Of Araucania, Chile; named for the Araucanian people. — Example: araucaria araucana
- Arching
- Having stems that curve gracefully outward and downward.
- aristata
- Awned; with bristle-like projections. — Example: pinus aristata
- armandii
- Named for Pere Armand David, French naturalist in China. — Example: pinus armandii
- Aromaticus
- Aromatic; having a spicy or herbal fragrance, especially in the foliage. — Example: thymus aromaticus
- Articulatus
- Jointed; having distinct segments separated by joints. — Example: juncus articulatus
- Arvalis
- Of the fields; associated with open, cultivated or grassy ground. — Example: poa arvalis
- arvense
- Of arable fields; a weed of cultivated ground. — Example: cirsium arvense
- Asper
- Rough; having a rough, harsh surface texture. — Example: sonchus asper
- attenuata
- Tapered; gradually narrowed to a slender point. — Example: pinus attenuata
- Auxin
- A class of plant hormones that regulate cell elongation, root initiation, and phototropism.
- Axil
- The angle between the upper side of a leaf and the stem.
- Axillaris
- Axillary; borne in the leaf axils rather than at stem tips. — Example: leucothoe axillaris
- baccata
- Berry-bearing; producing berries. — Example: taxus baccata
- Balearicus
- Of the Balearic Islands; native to Majorca, Minorca, or Ibiza. — Example: teucrium balearicum
- Balsamicus
- Balsam-scented; having a warm, resinous, sweet fragrance. — Example: abies balsamea nana
- banksiana
- Named for Sir Joseph Banks, British botanist. — Example: pinus banksiana
- Bark
- The protective outer covering of woody stems and roots.
- bealei
- Named for Thomas Beale, British merchant and plant collector in China. — Example: mahonia bealei
- beesiana
- Named for Bees Ltd., British nursery sponsors of plant expeditions. — Example: primula beesiana
- belladonna
- Beautiful lady; from Italian, referring to the plant's cosmetic use. — Example: amaryllis belladonna
- Beneficial Insects
- Insects that provide services like pollination, pest control, or decomposition.
- Betulinus
- Birch-like; resembling a birch in leaf, bark, or habit. — Example: inonotus betulinus
- betulus
- Birch; the ancient Latin name for the birch tree. — Example: carpinus betulus
- Biennalis
- Biennial; requiring two years to complete its life cycle. — Example: senecio biennalis
- Biennial
- A plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle.
- biennis
- Biennial; completing its life cycle over two years. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: oenothera biennis
- biloba
- Two-lobed; with leaves divided into two lobes. — Example: ginkgo biloba
- Binomial Nomenclature
- The two-part scientific naming system for species using genus and specific epithet.
- Biochar
- Charcoal produced by heating organic matter without oxygen (pyrolysis), used as a long-lasting soil amendment.
- Biodiversity
- The variety of life forms within an ecosystem, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
- Bipinnate
- A compound leaf where each leaflet is itself divided into smaller leaflets.
- Bipinnatus
- Twice pinnate; with leaflets themselves divided into further leaflets. — Example: cosmos bipinnatus
- blattaria
- Cockroach-repelling; from Latin blatta, once thought to deter insects. — Example: verbascum blattaria
- Blight
- A disease causing rapid browning and death of plant tissue, especially leaves and shoots.
- blireana
- Named for Blire, a French horticulturist. Feminine commemorative form. — Example: prunus blireana
- Blossom End Rot
- A physiological disorder causing dark, sunken decay at the bottom of fruit, triggered by calcium deficiency and irregular watering.
- Bolting
- Premature flowering and seed production triggered by stress.
- bonariensis
- Of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: verbena bonariensis
- Botrytis
- A grey mould fungus that attacks flowers, fruits, and decaying plant tissue.
- bowdenii
- Named for Athelstan Bowden, who introduced Nerine to cultivation. — Example: nerine bowdenii
- Bracing
- Installing rigid rods through weak branch unions to provide direct support.
- Bract
- A modified leaf at the base of a flower or inflorescence.
- bracteosum
- With conspicuous bracts; having prominent leafy bracts. — Example: ribes bracteosum
- Branch Bark Ridge
- A raised strip of bark at the junction of a branch and trunk, formed by competing growth.
- Branch Collar
- The swollen area at the base of a branch where it attaches to the parent stem.
- Breaker Stage
- The point at which a fruit shows its first external color change from green, signaling the onset of ripening.
- Brevifolius
- Short-leaved; having notably short or small leaves. — Example: taxus brevifolia
- Brevis
- Short; of notably brief or reduced dimensions. — Example: bromus brevis
- Brix
- A measurement of dissolved sugar content in plant sap or fruit juice, expressed in degrees on the Brix scale.
- buchananii
- Named for John Buchanan, Scottish botanist in New Zealand. — Example: carex buchananii
- Budding
- A grafting technique where a single bud is inserted into the bark of a rootstock.
- buergerianum
- Named for Heinrich Buerger, German botanist in Japan. — Example: acer buergerianum
- Bulb
- An underground storage organ with fleshy scale leaves surrounding a central bud.
- Bulbosus
- Bulbous; producing bulbs or having a bulb-like structure. — Example: ranunculus bulbosus
- Bullatus
- Blistered or puckered; with a bullate, blister-like surface. — Example: cotoneaster bullatus
- bulleyana
- Named for Arthur Bulley, sponsor of plant expeditions to China. — Example: primula bulleyana
- bungeana
- Named for Alexander von Bunge, Russian botanist. — Example: pinus bungeana
- burkwoodii
- Named for Albert Burkwood, British nurseryman and plant breeder. — Example: daphne burkwoodii
- Buttress Root
- A large, flared root at the base of a tree that provides structural support.
- buxifolia
- Box-leaved; with small dense leaves like Buxus. — Example: hebe buxifolia
- byzantina
- Of Byzantium; from the Byzantine region of Turkey. — Example: stachys byzantina
- Cabling
- Installing flexible cables between tree parts to reduce the risk of structural failure.
- Calcaratus
- Spurred; bearing a hollow, spur-like projection from a petal or sepal. — Example: aquilegia calcarata
- Calcium Oxalate
- A toxic crystalline compound found in many houseplants that causes oral irritation and swelling when ingested.
- Californicus
- Of California; native to the state of California or the California Floristic Province. — Example: myrica californica
- calleryana
- Named for Joseph-Marie Callery, French missionary in China. — Example: pyrus calleryana
- Callus
- Undifferentiated wound tissue that forms over cuts and injuries.
- Calyx
- The collective term for all the sepals of a flower.
- Cambium
- A thin layer of actively dividing cells that produces new wood and bark.
- campbellii
- Named for Dr. Archibald Campbell, British agent and plant collector in Sikkim. — Example: magnolia campbellii
- campestre
- Of fields or plains; growing in open countryside. — Example: acer campestre
- Campestris
- Of fields or plains; growing in open, flat habitats. — Example: acer campestre
- Canadensis
- Of Canada; native to Canada or northeastern North America. — Example: tsuga canadensis
- Canaliculatus
- Channelled; with a longitudinal groove or channel. — Example: iris canaliculata
- canariensis
- Of the Canary Islands. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: salvia canariensis
- candicans
- Gleaming white; brilliantly or pure white. Same form for all genders. — Example: ornithogalum candicans
- candidula
- Somewhat white; whitish. Feminine diminutive of candidus. — Example: berberis candidula
- Candidus
- Pure glistening white; brilliantly and immaculately white. — Example: lilium candidum
- canina
- Of dogs; inferior or wild form; dog rose. — Example: rosa canina
- Caninus
- Of the dog; inferior or wild compared to a cultivated relative. — Example: rosa canina
- Canker
- A localized dead area on a branch or trunk caused by fungal or bacterial infection.
- Canopy
- The uppermost layer of foliage in a forest or the spread of a tree's crown.
- Canopy Cover
- The percentage of ground area covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns.
- Canopy Spread
- The width of a tree's crown measured from dripline to dripline.
- Capensis
- Of the Cape; from the Cape of Good Hope region of South Africa. — Example: impatiens capensis
- Capillaceus
- Hair-like; having extremely fine, hair-thin leaves or stems. — Example: festuca capillacea
- capillaris
- Hair-like; very fine and slender. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: crepis capillaris
- capillipes
- With hair-like stalks; having very slender pedicels. Same form for all genders. — Example: acer capillipes
- Capitatus
- Head-like; having flowers or structures arranged in dense, rounded heads. — Example: physocarpus capitatus
- Carbon Sequestration
- The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, especially in trees.
- cardinalis
- Cardinal-red; scarlet in color. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: lobelia cardinalis
- carica
- Of Caria, Turkey; from the eastern Mediterranean fig region. — Example: ficus carica
- carlesii
- Named for William Carles, British consul and plant collector in Korea. — Example: viburnum carlesii
- carmichaelii
- Named for Dugald Carmichael, Scottish botanist and army officer. — Example: aconitum carmichaelii
- carnea
- Flesh-coloured; of a pale pink or flesh tone. — Example: erica carnea
- Carneus
- Flesh-colored; pale pinkish-cream, like the color of skin. — Example: erica carnea
- carolina
- Of the Carolinas; from North or South Carolina. — Example: halesia carolina
- caroliniana
- Of Carolina; from the Carolina region of eastern North America. — Example: carpinus caroliniana
- carota
- Carrot; the ancient Greek name karoton for this root vegetable. — Example: daucus carota
- carthusianorum
- Of the Carthusian monks; growing near the Grande Chartreuse monastery. — Example: dianthus carthusianorum
- cataria
- Of cats; attractive to cats, as in catnip. — Example: nepeta cataria
- catarractae
- Of the waterfall; growing near cataracts or rushing water. — Example: parahebe catarractae
- Catfacing
- Irregular scarring, puckering, and deformation on fruit caused by poor pollination or cold temperatures during bloom.
- Cation Exchange Capacity
- A measure of soil's ability to hold and release positively charged nutrient ions; higher CEC means greater fertility potential.
- Caucasicus
- Of the Caucasus; from the mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas. — Example: daphne caucasica
- caudatum
- Tailed; with a long tail-like appendage. — Example: asarum caudatum
- Caudatus
- Tailed; having a long, tail-like extension. — Example: asarum caudatum
- Caulescens
- Having a distinct above-ground stem; stem-bearing. — Example: sedum caulescens
- cembra
- Arolla pine; the ancient name for the Swiss stone pine. — Example: pinus cembra
- Central Leader
- A single dominant trunk extending from ground to crown top.
- cepa
- Onion; the ancient Latin name for the culinary onion. — Example: allium cepa 2
- cerasiformis
- Cherry-shaped; with cherry-like fruits or form. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: oemleria cerasiformis
- cernuum
- Nodding; with drooping or pendulous flowers. — Example: allium cernuum
- Cervinus
- Deer-like; tawny or fawn-colored, or associated with deer. — Example: carex cervina
- Cespitosus
- Tufted; forming dense clumps (alternate spelling of caespitosus). — Example: deschampsia cespitosa
- chiloensis
- Of Chiloé Island, Chile. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: fragaria chiloensis
- Chlorophyll
- The green pigment in plants responsible for absorbing light energy.
- Chlorosis
- Yellowing of leaves due to insufficient chlorophyll production.
- chrysolepis
- Golden-scaled; with golden scales on leaves. Same form for all genders. — Example: quercus chrysolepis
- ciliata
- Fringed with hairs; with ciliate leaf margins. — Example: bergenia ciliata
- Ciliatus
- Fringed with fine hairs along the margin; ciliate. — Example: amsonia ciliata
- ciliosa
- Finely fringed; with minute hair-like cilia along the margin. — Example: lonicera ciliosa
- cissifolium
- Cissus-leaved; with leaves resembling the vine genus Cissus. — Example: acer cissifolium
- Clay Soil
- Dense soil composed of very fine mineral particles that retains water and nutrients.
- Clone
- A genetically identical copy of a plant produced by vegetative propagation.
- Clumping
- Growing in tight clusters from a central point without spreading aggressively.
- cneorum
- Ancient Greek name for a small mezereon-like shrub. — Example: daphne cneorum
- coccifera
- Berry-bearing; producing scarlet berries or dye-producing berries. — Example: eucalyptus coccifera
- cocinea
- Scarlet; deep red in color. Feminine variant of coccineus. — Example: salvia cocinea
- CODIT
- Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees — a tree's natural defense mechanism against decay.
- Co-dominant Stems
- Two or more stems of nearly equal size growing from the same point, often forming weak unions.
- coggygria
- Smoke bush; the ancient Greek name for this ornamental shrub. — Example: cotinus coggygria
- Cold Frame
- An unheated, transparent-topped enclosure used to protect plants from cold.
- Columnar
- Growing in a narrow, upright, column-like form.
- colurna
- Turkish hazel; the ancient name for Corylus colurna. — Example: corylus colurna
- comans
- Tufted or leafy; with a tuft of hair-like foliage. Same form for all genders. — Example: carex comans
- Communis
- Common; growing in communities; widely shared. — Example: ferula communis
- Compaction
- The compression of soil particles that reduces pore space and inhibits root growth.
- Companion Planting
- Growing specific plants together for mutual benefit, such as pest deterrence or improved growth.
- Compartmentalization
- A tree's natural defense mechanism of chemically and physically walling off damaged or infected tissue to prevent decay from spreading.
- Compost
- Decomposed organic matter used to enrich soil.
- Compound Leaf
- A leaf divided into separate leaflets, each attached to a common rachis.
- Compressus
- Compressed; flattened laterally, as if squeezed from the sides. — Example: carex compressa
- Concolor
- Of uniform color; the same color on both surfaces. — Example: abies concolor
- Conifer
- A cone-bearing tree or shrub, typically with needle-like evergreen leaves.
- Conspicuus
- Conspicuous; easily seen and immediately noticeable. — Example: gaura conspicua
- contorta
- Twisted; with contorted or spirally twisted branches. — Example: pinus contorta
- Contortus
- Twisted; having contorted or spirally twisted stems or leaves. — Example: pinus contorta
- Coppicing
- A woodland management practice of cutting trees at ground level to stimulate vigorous regrowth from the stump.
- cordata
- Heart-shaped; with a cordate leaf base. — Example: tilia cordata
- Cordate
- Heart-shaped, with a notch at the base.
- Cordatus
- Heart-shaped; with a notched base and pointed tip like a heart. — Example: sutera
- Corm
- A solid, swollen underground stem base that stores nutrients.
- Cornuta
- Horned; bearing a conspicuous horn-like projection. — Example: corylus cornuta
- Corolla
- The collective term for all the petals of a flower.
- coronaria
- Garland-making; used for crowns or floral wreaths. — Example: lychnis coronaria
- Corymbiflorus
- Bearing flowers in corymbs; flowers in a flat-topped cluster. — Example: erica corymbiflora
- Corymbosus
- Corymbose; bearing flowers in a flat-topped or convex cluster. — Example: vaccinium corymbosum
- cotoneaster
- Quince-like; resembling the genus Cotoneaster. Indeclinable noun. — Example: corokia cotoneaster
- cotula
- Cup-shaped; with small cup-like flower heads, from Greek kotyle. — Example: anthemis cotula
- cotyledon
- Cup-shaped; with cup-like leaf rosettes, from Greek kotyledon. — Example: lewisia cotyledon
- coulteri
- Named for Thomas Coulter, Irish botanist who collected in California and Mexico. — Example: pinus coulteri
- coum
- Of Cos (Kos); from this Greek Aegean island. — Example: cyclamen coum
- Cover Crop
- A crop grown primarily to protect and improve soil rather than for harvest.
- Crassus
- Thick; having notably thick or fleshy organs. — Example: sedum crassum
- crataegifolium
- Hawthorn-leaved; with leaves resembling Crataegus. — Example: acer crataegifolium
- crenata
- Scalloped; with rounded teeth on the leaf margin. — Example: ilex crenata
- Crenatus
- Crenate; having rounded teeth or scalloped margin. — Example: ilex crenata
- Crispus
- Curled or crisped; with tightly curled, ruffled margins. — Example: rumex crispus
- cristophii
- Named for a collector named Christopher. Genitive commemorative form. — Example: allium cristophii
- Critical Root Zone
- The area around a tree's trunk that is essential for structural stability and nutrient uptake.
- crocea
- Saffron-yellow; of a deep orange-yellow colour. — Example: crocosmia crocea
- Croceus
- Saffron-yellow; deep orange-yellow, the color of saffron. — Example: crocosmia crocea
- Crop Rotation
- The practice of growing different types of crops in succession on the same land.
- Crown Cleaning
- Removing dead, dying, diseased, or broken branches from the crown.
- Crown Raising
- Removing lower branches to provide clearance below the crown.
- Crown Reduction
- Reducing the height or spread of a crown by cutting back to lateral branches.
- Crown Thinning
- Selective removal of branches to reduce crown density, allowing more light and air penetration.
- Cucurbitacin
- A bitter, toxic compound produced by cucurbit plants as a defense mechanism, intensified by heat or water stress.
- culeou
- The Mapuche name for this bamboo from Chile. — Example: chusquea culeou
- Cultivar
- A plant variety selected and maintained through cultivation.
- cultivars
- Cultivated varieties; a collective label for named garden selections. — Example: agapanthus cultivars
- cusickii
- Named for William Cusick, American botanist in the Pacific Northwest. — Example: camassia cusickii
- cuspidata
- Sharp-tipped; ending in a stiff abrupt point. — Example: taxus cuspidata
- Cuticle
- A waxy, protective coating on the outer surface of leaves and stems.
- cyaneum
- Blue; dark or brilliant blue in color. — Example: sedum cyaneum
- dactylon
- Finger; with radiating finger-like spikes. Indeclinable Greek noun. — Example: cynodon dactylon
- Damping Off
- A fungal disease that causes seedlings to collapse and die at soil level.
- darleyensis
- Of Darley Dale, Derbyshire; where this heather hybrid was found. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: erica darleyensis darley dale
- darwinii
- Named for Charles Darwin, British naturalist and evolutionary theorist. — Example: berberis darwinii
- davidiana
- Named for Pere Armand David, French missionary and botanist in China. — Example: photinia davidiana
- davidii
- Named for Pere Armand David, French missionary and plant collector in China. — Example: viburnum davidii
- davisae
- Named for a botanist or collector named Davis. Feminine genitive form. — Example: leucothoe davisae
- DBH
- Diameter at Breast Height — the standard measurement of tree trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above ground.
- Deadheading
- Removing spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.
- Deadwood
- Dead branches or stubs still attached to a living tree.
- Dealbatus
- Whitened; coated white, as if whitewashed. — Example: cistus albidus
- Debilis
- Weak or feeble; with slender, weak stems requiring support. — Example: epilobium debile
- Decay Detection
- Methods for identifying internal wood decay in trees without destructive sampling.
- decidua
- Deciduous; shedding its leaves in autumn. — Example: larix decidua
- Deciduous
- Shedding leaves annually at the end of the growing season.
- Deciduus
- Falling off; shedding leaves seasonally; deciduous. — Example: larix decidua
- Declinatus
- Bent or curved downward; declining from the horizontal. — Example: carex declinata
- Decorus
- Decorative or becoming; well-suited to ornamental use. — Example: osmanthus decorus
- Decumbens
- Lying down at the base but with tips that curve upward. — Example: juniperus decumbens
- decussata
- Decussate; with opposite leaves alternating at right angles. — Example: microbiota decussata
- Decussatus
- Decussate; arranged in alternating pairs at right angles to each other. — Example: microbiota decussata
- delavayi
- Named for Pere Jean Marie Delavay, French missionary and plant collector in China. — Example: magnolia delavayi
- Deltoid
- Triangular, shaped like the Greek letter delta.
- Deltoideus
- Triangular; shaped like the Greek letter delta. — Example: aster deltoideus
- deltophylla
- Delta-leaved; with triangular delta-shaped leaves. — Example: beesia deltophylla
- densa
- Dense; growing in dense masses. — Example: egeria densa
- densiflora
- Densely flowered; with tightly packed flowers. — Example: pinus densiflora
- Densus
- Dense; thick and closely packed. — Example: egeria densa
- Dentatus
- Toothed; having outward-pointing teeth along the margin. — Example: ligularia dentata
- denudata
- Bare; naked or stripped, often flowering before leaves appear. — Example: magnolia denudata
- deodara
- Divine tree; from Sanskrit, the sacred cedar of the Himalayas. — Example: cedrus deodara
- Depressus
- Depressed; flattened from above, or growing close and flat to the ground. — Example: ceanothus depressus
- Desiccation
- Severe drying out of plant tissue.
- Determinate
- A growth habit where the main stem ends in a flower cluster, creating a compact bush with a defined harvest window.
- Dichotomous Key
- A tool for identifying organisms by making a series of binary choices about their characteristics.
- Dicot
- A flowering plant with two seed leaves, net-like leaf veins, and flower parts in multiples of four or five.
- dictamnus
- Dittany; the ancient Greek name for this aromatic Cretan herb. — Example: origanum dictamnus
- Dieback
- Progressive death of branches or stems starting from the tips.
- diffusa
- Spreading; with a widely spreading, diffuse habit. — Example: lithodora diffusa
- Diffusus
- Loosely spreading; with a lax, diffuse, open habit. — Example: glandora diffusa
- digitalis
- Finger-like; with tubular flowers fitting over a finger. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: penstemon digitalis
- Digitatus
- Digitate; with finger-like lobes or leaflets spreading from one point. — Example: potentilla digitata
- Dioecious
- Having male and female flowers on separate individual plants.
- dioica
- Dioecious; male and female flowers on separate plants. — Example: urtica dioica
- dioicus
- Dioecious; male and female flowers on separate plants. — Example: aruncus dioicus
- Direct Sow
- Planting seeds directly in the ground where they will grow, rather than starting indoors.
- Discolor
- Of differing colors; the two surfaces of a leaf being different colors. — Example: holodiscus discolor
- Disease Resistance
- A plant's natural or bred ability to withstand pathogen infection.
- Dissectus
- Deeply cut or divided; finely and completely dissected. — Example: lomatium dissectum
- Diurnus
- Day-flowering; opening its flowers during the day. — Example: oenothera diurna
- Divaricatus
- Spreading widely; with branches spreading at wide, stiff angles. — Example: aster divaricatus
- Division
- Separating a plant into smaller pieces, each with roots and shoots.
- dombeyi
- Named for Joseph Dombey, French botanist in South America. — Example: nothofagus dombeyi
- domestica
- Domesticated; of the house or garden; cultivated. — Example: malus domestica
- Domesticus
- Domesticated; cultivated or tamed from a wild ancestor. — Example: malus domestica
- Dormancy
- A period of suspended growth and reduced metabolic activity.
- douglasiana
- Named for David Douglas, Scottish botanist in western North America. — Example: iris douglasiana
- douglasii
- Named for David Douglas, Scottish botanist in western North America. — Example: spiraea douglasii
- Downy Mildew
- A disease producing fuzzy, greyish growth on the underside of leaves.
- dracunculus
- Little dragon; from Latin dracunculus, used for tarragon and related plants. — Example: artemisia dracunculus
- Dripline
- The imaginary line on the ground directly below the outer edge of a tree's canopy.
- Drop-crotch Pruning
- Reducing branch length by cutting back to a lower lateral branch.
- Drought Tolerance
- A plant's ability to survive extended periods without water.
- Drupe
- A fleshy fruit with a hard stone enclosing the seed, like a cherry or peach.
- Dry Farming
- A cultivation technique that withholds irrigation after establishment, relying on residual soil moisture to concentrate flavor in crops.
- dulcamara
- Bittersweet; sweet then bitter tasting. From Latin dulcis and amara. — Example: solanum dulcamara
- durandii
- Named for Elias Durand, French-American botanist. — Example: clematis durandii
- Early Blight
- A fungal disease producing dark lesions with distinctive concentric rings (target spots) on leaves, starting from the bottom of the plant.
- Ecological Succession
- The gradual process by which plant communities change over time in a predictable sequence.
- Edaphic
- Relating to or determined by soil conditions.
- effusus
- Spreading; loosely spreading outward. — Example: juncus effusus
- Elatus
- Tall; raised; growing to above-average height. — Example: glyceria elata
- ellacombianus
- Named after Canon Henry Nicholson Ellacombe, English clergyman and horticulturist. — Example: phedimus ellacombeanus
- Ellipticus
- Elliptic; oval and equally wide above and below the middle. — Example: garrya elliptica
- elongata
- Elongated; with notably long, stretched parts. — Example: carex elongata
- Elongatus
- Elongated; stretched out to greater length than usual. — Example: carex elongata
- elwesii
- Named for Henry John Elwes, British botanist and naturalist. — Example: galanthus elwesii
- Endemic
- Found naturally only in a specific geographic area and nowhere else.
- ensata
- Sword-shaped; with long narrow sword-like leaves. — Example: iris ensata
- ensifolius
- Sword-leaved; with flat, pointed sword-like leaves. — Example: juncus ensifolius
- Entire
- A smooth leaf margin without teeth, lobes, or indentations.
- Epicormic Growth
- Sprouts that emerge from dormant or adventitious buds on the trunk or large branches, often in response to stress.
- epipactis
- Ancient Greek name for a plant used medicinally to treat bone ailments. — Example: hacquetia epipactis
- Epiphyte
- A plant that grows on another plant for physical support without parasitising it.
- Epiphytic
- Growing on another plant for support without being parasitic.
- Erectus
- Upright; growing in a strongly vertical, erect manner. — Example: thymus erectus
- ericsmithii
- Named after Eric Smith, English plantsman known for hellebores and hostas. — Example: helleborus ericsmithii
- erinus
- Ancient name for a small flowering plant, from Greek erinos. — Example: lobelia erinus
- Espalier
- A technique of training trees to grow flat against a wall or support structure in decorative patterns.
- Ethylene
- A gaseous plant hormone that triggers fruit ripening, leaf drop, and flower aging.
- Etiolation
- Abnormal pale, stretched growth caused by insufficient light.
- Evergreen
- Retaining green leaves throughout the year.
- ewersii
- Named for Johann Ewers, German naturalist. — Example: sedum ewersii
- F1 Hybrid
- The first-generation offspring of two genetically distinct inbred parent lines, exhibiting uniform traits and hybrid vigor.
- Family
- A taxonomic rank grouping related genera, typically ending in -aceae.
- farinacea
- Mealy; covered with a powdery or floury coating. — Example: salvia farinacea
- Farinaceus
- Mealy; with a floury, starchy appearance or texture. — Example: salvia farinacea
- Fastigiate
- Having a narrow, upright growth habit with branches angled sharply upward.
- Fenestration
- Natural holes or perforations that develop in mature leaves, allowing light to reach lower foliage.
- Fern
- A non-flowering vascular plant that reproduces by spores rather than seeds.
- Ferruginus
- Rust-colored; deep reddish-brown like iron rust. — Example: quercus ferrugina
- Fertigation
- Applying fertilizer through an irrigation system.
- Fertilis
- Fertile; producing abundant seed, fruit, or spores. — Example: prunus fertilis
- Fertilization
- The fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote, initiating seed development in flowering plants.
- Fibrous Roots
- A dense network of thin, branching roots without a dominant central root.
- Filiformis
- Thread-like; as slender and thin as a thread. — Example: carex filiformis
- filix-femina
- Lady fern; the female fern, contrasting with filix-mas, the male fern. — Example: athyrium filix femina
- Fimbriatus
- Fringed; having a decorative fringe of longer projections. — Example: dianthus fimbriatus
- Fire Blight
- A devastating bacterial disease of apple, pear, and related plants.
- firma
- Firm, hard; with rigid or tough texture. — Example: carex firma
- Firmus
- Firm; solid and strong, though not rigid. — Example: carex firma
- Fistulosus
- Hollow-stemmed; having a hollow, pipe-like stem. — Example: allium fistulosum
- Flavus
- Pure yellow; having a clear, golden-yellow color. — Example: aesculus flava
- Flexuosus
- Zigzag or flexuous; bending alternately in different directions. — Example: juncus flexuosus
- florentina
- Of Florence; from the region of Florence, Italy. — Example: iris florentina
- Florentinus
- Of Florence; associated with the city of Florence, Italy. — Example: iris florentina
- florida
- Abundantly flowering; in full flower. — Example: cornus florida
- florindae
- Named for Florinda Norman-Thompson, wife of botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward. — Example: primula florindae
- Flush Cut
- An improper pruning cut made too close to the trunk, removing the branch collar.
- foetidissima
- Most fetid; very evil-smelling; superlative of foetidus. — Example: iris foetidissima
- Foliar Feeding
- Applying dilute liquid fertilizer directly to plant leaves for rapid nutrient absorption through stomata and cuticle.
- fontanesiana
- Named for Rene Desfontaines, French botanist. Feminine commemorative form. — Example: leucothoe zablid
- Forcing
- Inducing a plant to flower or fruit out of its normal season.
- fortunei
- Named for Robert Fortune, Scottish botanist and plant hunter in Asia. — Example: euonymus fortunei
- frainetto
- Hungarian oak; from the Italian vernacular name farnetto. — Example: quercus frainetto
- franchetii
- Named for Adrien Franchet, French botanist specializing in Asian plants. — Example: cotoneaster franchetii
- fraseri
- Named for John Fraser, Scottish botanist and collector in North America. — Example: photinia x fraseri
- freemanii
- Named after Oliver Freeman, American botanist at the U.S. National Arboretum. — Example: acer warrenred
- frigidus
- Cold; growing in cold climates or exposed positions. — Example: petasites frigidus
- frikartii
- Named after Carl Frikart, Swiss nurseryman who raised the hybrid aster. — Example: aster frikartii mnch
- Fruit Set
- The successful transition from an open flower to a developing fruit after pollination or parthenocarpy.
- Fulgens
- Gleaming; brilliantly shining or glowing. — Example: salvia fulgens
- Fulvus
- Tawny; deep yellow-brown, like a lion's coat. — Example: carex fulva
- Fungicide
- A chemical or biological substance used to prevent or kill fungal pathogens that cause plant diseases.
- Fusarium Wilt
- A devastating soil-borne fungal disease that invades vascular tissue, causing one-sided wilting and eventual plant death.
- fusca
- Dark brown; of a dusky brownish colour. — Example: malus fusca
- Fuscus
- Dusky brown; dark, sombre brownish coloration. — Example: malus fusca
- Gall
- An abnormal swelling or growth on plant tissue caused by insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria.
- gardenii
- Named for Alexander Garden, Scottish-American physician and botanist. — Example: fothergilla gardenii
- garryana
- Named for Nicholas Garry, who aided plant collectors in the Pacific Northwest. — Example: quercus garryana
- Gemmatus
- Gemmed or jewel-like; adorned as if with gems. — Example: primula gemmata
- Geniculatus
- Geniculate; having conspicuous joints or knee-like bends in the stem. — Example: juncus geniculatus
- Genotype
- The complete genetic makeup of an organism that determines its potential traits and environmental responses.
- Genus
- A taxonomic rank grouping closely related species.
- Germinate
- To begin growth from a seed or spore.
- Giganteus
- Giant; of exceptionally large size. — Example: stipa gigantea
- gigas
- Giant; of very large or unusually great size. Same form for all genders. — Example: angelica gigas
- ginnala
- The Mongolian or Manchurian vernacular name for the Amur maple. — Example: acer ginnala
- Girdling Roots
- Roots that circle the trunk and compress vascular tissue, restricting water and nutrient flow.
- Glaber
- Smooth; hairless; lacking any surface pubescence. — Example: rhus glabra
- glabra
- Smooth; without hair or hairless. — Example: rhus glabra
- gladwynensis
- Of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania; raised at the Henry Foundation garden there. — Example: berberis x gladwynensis
- glauca
- Glaucous; with a blue-grey bloom on the surface. — Example: festuca glauca
- Glaucescens
- Becoming glaucous; developing a blue-gray waxy bloom. — Example: sorbus glaucescens
- Glaucinus
- Slightly glaucous; with a faint blue-grey bloom. — Example: populus glaucina
- Glaucus
- Blue-grey or sea-green; with a waxy, powdery bloom giving a grey-blue appearance. — Example: elymus glaucus
- globulus
- Small sphere; with rounded ball-like fruits. Masculine noun diminutive. — Example: eucalyptus globulus
- Glomeratus
- Clustered; collected into dense, rounded heads or balls. — Example: dactylis glomerata
- glycyrrhiza
- Sweet-rooted; with sweet-tasting roots. From Greek glykys and rhiza. — Example: polypodium glycyrrhiza
- gordonianum
- Named for James Gordon, British nurseryman. Neuter commemorative form. — Example: ribes gordonianum
- govaniana
- Named for a botanist named Govan. Feminine commemorative form. — Example: nepeta govaniana
- Gracilis
- Slender; graceful; of delicate, elegant proportions. — Example: deutzia gracilis
- Graecus
- Of Greece; native to or characteristic of Greece. — Example: dianthus graecus
- Grafting
- Joining parts of two plants so they grow as one.
- granatum
- Many-seeded; bearing many grains or seeds. — Example: punica
- grandifolia
- Large-leaved; bearing especially large leaves. — Example: fagus grandifolia
- Grandifolius
- Large-leaved; conspicuously or unusually large-leaved. — Example: fagus grandifolia
- grandis
- Large, great; of impressive size. — Example: abies grandis
- greggii
- Named for Josiah Gregg, American botanist and explorer in Mexico. — Example: salvia greggii
- griffithii
- Named for William Griffith, British botanist in India and Afghanistan. — Example: euphorbia griffithii
- griseum
- Gray; with gray or gray-brown coloring. — Example: acer griseum
- gymnocarpa
- Naked-fruited; with exposed fruits lacking a covering. — Example: rosa gymnocarpa
- Gymnosperm
- A seed-producing plant that bears seeds without enclosing them in a fruit.
- Gynoecious
- A plant that produces predominantly or exclusively female flowers, resulting in higher fruit yields.
- Habit
- The overall shape and growth form of a plant.
- Habitat Corridor
- A strip of habitat connecting larger areas, allowing wildlife movement.
- Hamatus
- Hooked; bearing hook-like tips or curved hooks. — Example: carex hamata
- Hardening Off
- Gradually acclimatizing indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions.
- Hardiness
- A plant's ability to withstand cold temperatures in a given climate.
- Hardiness Zone
- A geographic area defined by its average minimum winter temperature.
- Hardwood Cutting
- A propagation method using dormant, mature wood from the previous season.
- Hastatus
- Spear-shaped; with two spreading lobes at the base pointing outward. — Example: sagittaria hastata
- hayata-koidzumii
- Named after Bunzo Hayata and Gen-ichi Koidzumi, Japanese botanists. — Example: rubus hayata koidzumii
- Hazard Tree
- A tree with structural defects that could fail and strike a target of value.
- Heading Cut
- A pruning cut that removes a branch back to a point between nodes.
- Heartwood
- The dense, dark inner wood of a tree trunk that no longer conducts water.
- Heeling In
- Temporarily burying plant roots in soil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heirloom Variety
- A traditional open-pollinated plant cultivar that has been passed down through generations, typically predating modern hybrid breeding.
- heldreichii
- Named for Theodor von Heldreich, German botanist in Greece. — Example: pinus heldreichii
- helix
- Spiral; twining or climbing in a spiral. Indeclinable Greek noun. — Example: hedera helix
- Helvaticus
- Of Switzerland; native to the Swiss Alps or Helvetia. — Example: senecio helveticus
- Hemiepiphyte
- A plant that spends part of its life cycle as an epiphyte and part rooted in soil.
- henryi
- Named for Augustine Henry, Irish doctor and plant collector in China. — Example: saruma henryi
- Herbaceous
- Having soft, non-woody stems that die back to the ground.
- Herbaceus
- Herbaceous; not woody; dying back to the ground each year. — Example: knautia herbaceum
- heterophylla
- Variable-leaved; with leaves of different shapes on the same plant. — Example: tsuga heterophylla
- Heterosis
- The increased vigor, yield, and resilience seen in hybrid offspring compared to either inbred parent line.
- hiemalis
- Of winter; winter-flowering or winter-occurring. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: helleborus hiemalis
- Hirsutissimus
- Very hairy; the superlative of hirsutus, extremely rough-haired. — Example: stachys hirsutissima
- Hirsutus
- Roughly or coarsely hairy; covered in stiff, bristly hairs. — Example: vicia hirsuta
- hookeri
- Named for Sir William or Sir Joseph Hooker, eminent British botanists. — Example: disporum hookeri
- horridus
- Very spiny; formidably bristly or armed with fierce spines. — Example: oplopanax horridus
- hortensis
- Of the garden; cultivated or garden-grown. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: satureja hortensis
- hubrichtii
- Named for Leslie Hubricht, American naturalist who discovered this plant. — Example: amsonia hubrichtii
- Humus
- The dark, stable organic matter formed from the complete decomposition of plant and animal material.
- hupehensis
- Of Hubei Province, China. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: malus hupehensis
- Hybrid
- The offspring of two genetically distinct parent plants. — Example: anemone hybrida
- hybrida
- Hybrid; of hybrid origin between two species. — Example: anemone hybrida
- hyemale
- Of winter; evergreen through winter or winter-flowering. — Example: equisetum hyemale
- hypoleucoides
- White-beneath-like; resembling plants white on the underside. Same form for all genders. — Example: quercus hypoleucoides
- idaeus
- Of Mount Ida; from the mountains of Crete or Turkey. — Example: rubus idaeus
- idahoensis
- Of Idaho, USA. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: festuca idahoensis
- ilex
- Holm oak; the ancient Latin name for this evergreen oak. — Example: quercus ilex
- ilicifolia
- Holly-leaved; with spiny leaves like a holly. — Example: itea
- Ilicifolius
- Holly-leaved; having spiny, lobed leaves like a holly. — Example: itea
- illustris
- Distinguished; bright or shining. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: amsonia illustris
- imbricaria
- Overlapping like tiles; with overlapping scales or leaves. — Example: quercus imbricaria
- imbricata
- Overlapping; with scales or leaves overlapping like tiles. — Example: fabiana imbricata
- Imbricatus
- Imbricate; with overlapping scales, leaves, or bracts like roof tiles. — Example: fabiana imbricata
- Included Bark
- Bark trapped between co-dominant stems or branches, creating a structural weakness.
- Indeterminate
- A growth habit where the main stem grows continuously, producing flowers and fruit until killed by frost or disease.
- indica
- Of India; from India or the Indian subcontinent. — Example: aesculus indica
- Indicus
- Of India or the East Indies; from the Indian subcontinent or Southeast Asia. — Example: aesculus indica
- Inermis
- Unarmed; lacking spines, thorns, or prickles. — Example: bromus inermis
- inflata
- Inflated; with swollen, bladder-like parts. — Example: silene inflata
- Inflatus
- Inflated; puffed up or swollen as if filled with air. — Example: silene inflata
- Inflorescence
- A cluster of flowers arranged on a stem.
- insignis
- Remarkable; distinguished or outstanding. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: magnolia insignis
- Integrated Pest Management
- A science-based approach combining multiple strategies to manage pests sustainably.
- Intermedius
- Intermediate; between two other species in character. — Example: lavandula cultivars
- Internode
- The section of stem between two consecutive nodes.
- intybus
- Chicory; the ancient name for this cultivated and wild herb. — Example: cichorium intybus
- Invasive Species
- Non-native organisms that spread aggressively and cause ecological or economic harm.
- involucrata
- Involucred; with a prominent bract-like wrapper around the flower head. — Example: davidia involucrata
- Iridoides
- Iris-like; resembling an iris in flower or leaf. — Example: moraea iridoides
- ISA
- International Society of Arboriculture — the leading professional organization for arborists worldwide.
- italicum
- Of Italy; from Italy or the Italian peninsula. — Example: arum italicum
- Italicus
- Of Italy; native to or characteristic of Italy. — Example: arum italicum
- jubatum
- Maned; with a showy crest or mane of long bristles. — Example: hordeum jubatum
- julianae
- Named for Juliana Schneider, wife of botanist C.K. Schneider. — Example: berberis julianae
- julibrissin
- Silk flower; from Persian gul-i abrisham, referring to the silky flowers. — Example: albizia julibrissin
- kaempferi
- Named for Engelbert Kaempfer, German botanist who studied Japanese plants. — Example: larix kaempferi
- kaki
- Persimmon; the Japanese name kaki for this fruit tree. — Example: diospyros kaki
- kimnachii
- Named after Myron Kimnach, American succulent botanist. — Example: sedum kimnachii
- kobus
- The Japanese vernacular name kobushi for this magnolia. — Example: magnolia kobus
- kolomikta
- The local Siberian vernacular name for this ornamental vine. — Example: actinidia kolomikta
- koraiensis
- Of Korea; Korean. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: pinus koraiensis
- kousa
- The Japanese vernacular name kousa for this flowering tree. — Example: cornus kousa
- kumasasa
- Bear bamboo; the Japanese name kuma-zasa for this low bamboo. — Example: shibataea kumasasa
- kurabayashii
- Named after Masataka Kurabayashi, Japanese botanist specialising in Trillium. — Example: trillium kurabayashii
- Laciniatus
- Deeply and irregularly slashed; with fringed, jagged cuts. — Example: rubus laciniatus
- lacustre
- Of lakes; growing at lake margins or in water. — Example: ribes lacustre
- ladanifer
- Labdanum-bearing; producing fragrant labdanum resin. — Example: cistus ladanifer
- Laetus
- Bright or vivid; of a cheerful, brilliant color or vigorous growth. — Example: carex laeta
- Laevis
- Smooth; having a perfectly smooth, even surface. — Example: viburnum laevis
- lambertiana
- Named for Aylmer Lambert, British botanist and expert on pines. — Example: pinus lambertiana
- Lanatus
- Woolly; covered in soft wool-like hairs. — Example: holcus lanatus
- Lanceolate
- Narrow and tapering to a point at each end, like a lance.
- lasiocarpa
- Woolly-fruited; with hairy or woolly fruits. — Example: abies lasiocarpa
- Late Blight
- A rapidly destructive oomycete disease that causes water-soaked lesions and white mold on foliage, capable of destroying entire fields in days.
- laureola
- Little laurel; resembling or like a small laurel. Feminine diminutive. — Example: daphne laureola
- Laurifolius
- Laurel-leaved; having broad, glossy leaves like a bay laurel. — Example: cistus laurifolius
- laurocerasus
- Cherry laurel; from Latin laurel and cherry, describing its leaves. — Example: prunus laurocerasus
- Laxus
- Lax; loosely arranged, not dense or compact. — Example: festuca laxa
- Layering
- Encouraging roots to form on a stem while still attached to the parent plant.
- Leaching
- The downward washing of dissolved nutrients through soil by water, removing them from the root zone.
- Leaf Spot
- A common symptom of various fungal or bacterial diseases causing spots on leaves.
- Leggy
- Tall, thin, stretched-out growth caused by insufficient light.
- Lenticel
- Small raised pores on bark that allow gas exchange between internal tissues and the atmosphere.
- leonurus
- Lion's tail; whorled flowers resembling a lion's tail. — Example: leonotis leonurus
- lessoniana
- Named for Rene Lesson, French naturalist. Feminine commemorative form. — Example: anemanthele lessoniana
- Leucocarpus
- White-fruited; bearing white berries or fruit. — Example: sorbus leucocarpa
- libani
- Of Lebanon; from Mount Lebanon. Genitive noun form. — Example: cedrus libani
- Ligulatus
- Strap-shaped; having ligulate or strap-shaped petals or florets. — Example: carex ligulata
- Liliaceus
- Lily-like; resembling a lily in flower form or character. — Example: allium liliaceum
- lindheimeri
- Named for Ferdinand Lindheimer, German-American botanist in Texas. — Example: oenothera lindheimeri
- Linearis
- Linear; very narrow with parallel sides, like a line. — Example: linum linearis
- Lion-tailing
- The improper practice of removing all interior branches, leaving foliage only at branch tips.
- Littoralis
- Of the seashore; growing on beaches and coastal margins. — Example: armeria littoralis
- Live Crown Ratio
- The percentage of a tree's total height that bears live foliage.
- Loam
- An ideal soil type with balanced proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
- Lobed
- Having leaf margins with deep indentations that do not reach the midrib.
- Longus
- Long; of notably extended dimensions. — Example: carex longa
- lotungensis
- Of Luodong (Lo-tung), Taiwan. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: parakmeria lotungensis
- lotus
- Lotus; the ancient Greek name lotos, applied to several plants. — Example: diospyros lotus
- lucidum
- Shining, glossy; with a bright lustrous surface. — Example: geranium lucidum
- luciliae
- Named for Lucile Boissier, wife of botanist Edmond Boissier. — Example: chionodoxa luciliae
- ludlowii
- Named for Frank Ludlow, British plant collector in Tibet and Bhutan. — Example: paeonia ludlowii
- lurida
- Sallow, lurid; of a dull, sickly yellowish colour. — Example: carex lurida
- Luridus
- Lurid; a sickly, pale, yellowish or grayish color. — Example: carex lurida
- lusitanica
- Of Lusitania; from Portugal or the Iberian Peninsula. — Example: prunus lusitanica
- Lusitanicus
- Of Portugal or Lusitania; from the western Iberian Peninsula. — Example: prunus lusitanica
- Lusus
- A sport or freak; an unusual or aberrant form of the species. — Example: asplenium lusus
- Lycopene
- A red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruits, responsible for their color and valued as an antioxidant.
- lycopersicum
- Wolf-peach; the old name for the tomato, once thought poisonous. — Example: stupice tomato
- lydia
- Of Lydia; from the ancient kingdom of western Turkey. — Example: genista lydia
- lyngbyei
- Named for Hans Christian Lyngbye, Danish botanist. — Example: carex lyngbyei
- lyrata
- Lyre-shaped; with a large terminal lobe flanked by smaller ones. — Example: ficus lyrata
- macedonica
- Of Macedonia; from the Macedonian region of the Balkans. — Example: knautia macedonica
- maculatum
- Spotted, blotched; with irregular spots or blotches. — Example: lamium maculatum
- Maculatus
- Spotted; blotched; marked with spots or patches. — Example: conium maculatum
- magnifica
- Magnificent, splendid; of exceptional beauty or size. — Example: abies magnifica
- majalis
- Of May; flowering or conspicuous in May. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: convallaria majalis
- Major
- Larger; the greater of two similar species. — Example: vinca major
- majorana
- Sweet marjoram; the medieval name for this aromatic culinary herb. — Example: origanum majorana
- manicata
- Sleeved; with large sheaths or sleeve-like coverings. — Example: gunnera manicata
- marianum
- Of the Virgin Mary; dedicated to or associated with the Madonna. — Example: silybum marianum
- Maritimus
- Of the sea or seashore; growing near coastal habitats. — Example: crambe maritima
- martagon
- Turk's cap; from Turkish for turban, referring to the reflexed petals. — Example: lilium martagon
- mas
- Male; the more robust form of a species. — Example: cornus mas
- matronalis
- Of the matrons; associated with the Roman festival of Matronalia. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: hesperis matronalis
- maudiae
- Named for Maud, connected to the discovery or introduction of this magnolia. — Example: magnolia maudiae
- maxima
- Largest; the greatest in size; superlative of magnus. — Example: astrantia maxima
- maximum
- Largest; the greatest in size; superlative of magnus. — Example: heracleum maximum
- Maximus
- Greatest; the largest of its kind. — Example: briza maxima
- media
- Middle, intermediate; of medium size or character. — Example: stellaria media
- Medius
- Middle-sized; intermediate between large and small. — Example: stellaria media
- Melananthus
- Black-flowered; bearing very dark or black flowers. — Example: allium melananthum
- Melanophyllus
- Dark-leaved; having very dark, near-black leaves. — Example: acer melanophyllum
- meleagris
- Guinea fowl-patterned; with checkered markings like a guinea fowl. Indeclinable. — Example: fritillaria meleagris
- menziesii
- Named for Archibald Menzies, Scottish botanist in the Pacific Northwest. — Example: arbutus menziesii
- merckii
- Named for a botanist or sponsor named Merck. — Example: dahlia merckii
- Meristem
- A region of undifferentiated cells capable of active division and growth.
- mertensiana
- Named for Franz Karl Mertens, German botanist. — Example: tsuga mertensiana
- meserveae
- Named for Kathleen Meserve, American horticulturist who developed blue hollies. — Example: ilex meserveae
- Mexicanus
- Of Mexico; native to Mexico or Mesoamerica. — Example: tagetes mexicana
- mezereum
- Persian name mazaryun for this poisonous but fragrant shrub. — Example: daphne mezereum
- miconioides
- Miconia-like; resembling the tropical genus Miconia. Same form for all genders. — Example: heptacodium miconioides
- Microclimate
- The localized climate conditions within a small, defined area that differ from the surrounding region.
- minus
- Smaller; lesser in size; comparative of parvus. — Example: arctium minus
- miyabei
- Named for Kingo Miyabe, Japanese botanist and mycologist. — Example: acer miyabei morton
- mollis
- Soft; softly hairy or with soft texture. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: acanthus mollis
- moly
- Magic herb; from Homer's Odyssey, the magical herb given by Hermes. — Example: allium moly
- Monadelphus
- Monadelphous; with all stamens united into a single bundle. — Example: stewartia monadelpha
- Monocot
- A flowering plant with one seed leaf, parallel leaf veins, and flower parts in multiples of three.
- Monoecious
- Having separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
- montezumae
- Named for Montezuma, Aztec emperor, or the Montezuma region of Mexico. — Example: pinus montezumae
- monticola
- Mountain-dweller; growing in mountain habitats. Same form for all genders. — Example: pinus monticola
- moraea
- Named for Robert More, British naturalist. Feminine commemorative form. — Example: diplarrena moraea
- mordenensis
- Of Morden Research Station, Manitoba, Canada. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: crataegus mordenensis
- morrowii
- Named for James Morrow, American botanist on Perry's Japan expedition. — Example: carex ice dance
- Mosaic Virus
- A group of plant viruses causing irregular mottled yellow-green patterns on leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yields.
- moschata
- Musk-scented; with a musky fragrance. — Example: malva moschata
- Mounding
- Growing in a rounded, dome-shaped form.
- mugo
- Mountain pine; from a local Alpine name for the dwarf mountain pine. — Example: pinus mugo
- Mulching
- Covering soil with material to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate temperature.
- mulliganii
- Named for a botanist or horticulturist named Mulligan. — Example: rosa mulliganii
- muralis
- Of walls; growing on walls or rocky surfaces. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: mycelis muralis
- muricata
- Rough-prickly; covered in short hard points. — Example: pinus muricata
- murielae
- Named for Muriel Wilson, daughter of plant collector Ernest H. Wilson. — Example: fargesia murielae
- muscari
- Grape hyacinth-like or musk-scented. Indeclinable noun epithet. — Example: liriope muscari
- Mycorrhiza
- A symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots that enhances nutrient uptake.
- Mycorrhizal
- Relating to the beneficial symbiotic partnership between fungi and plant roots.
- myricoides
- Resembling Myrica; with foliage like bog myrtle. — Example: lomatia sp
- myrsinites
- Myrtle-like; resembling Myrsine or myrtle. Indeclinable noun epithet. — Example: euphorbia myrsinites
- napellus
- Little turnip; with a small turnip-like tuberous root. — Example: aconitum napellus
- Narcoticus
- Narcotic; having sleep-inducing or stupefying properties. — Example: papaver narcoticum
- Native Species
- Plants that evolved naturally in a specific region without human introduction.
- Naturalized
- A non-native plant that has established self-sustaining populations in a new area.
- Necrosis
- Death of plant tissue, appearing as brown or black spots.
- neglecta
- Overlooked; previously neglected or unrecognized in classification. — Example: malva neglecta
- Nematode
- A microscopic roundworm, some species of which damage plant roots.
- Nemoralis
- Of groves or woodland glades; growing in open woodland. — Example: carex nemoralis
- nemorosa
- Of woodland; growing in woods or shady places. — Example: anemone nemorosa
- Nemorosus
- Of shady groves; loving wooded or shaded habitats. — Example: anemone nemorosa
- nepeta
- From Nepi, an Italian town; the ancient place associated with catnip. — Example: calamintha nepeta ssp
- nervosa
- Strongly veined; with prominent leaf veins. — Example: mahonia nervosa
- Nigra
- Black or very dark; having dark-colored parts. — Example: morus nigra
- nitida
- Shining, polished; with a glossy, smooth surface. — Example: lonicera nitida
- Nitidus
- Shiny; having a smooth, glossy, lustrous surface. — Example: lonicera nitida
- Nitrogen Fixation
- The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms by bacteria.
- nivalis
- Snowy; of snowy alpine habitats or snow-white. Same form for masculine and feminine. — Example: galanthus nivalis
- Niveus
- Snow-white; as pure and brilliant white as fresh snow. — Example: galanthus nivalis
- Nobilis
- Noble; of high quality or distinguished character. — Example: laurus nobilis
- nocturna
- Of the night; night-flowering or night-scented. — Example: silene nocturna
- Nocturnus
- Night-flowering; opening its flowers at night. — Example: silene nocturna
- Node
- The point on a stem where leaves, branches, or buds emerge.
- Nodosus
- Knotted or nodose; having conspicuous, swollen nodes. — Example: carex nodosa
- Novus
- New; newly discovered or recently described. — Example: senecio novus
- NPK
- The three primary macronutrients in fertiliser: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- nudiflorum
- Naked-flowered; flowers appearing before leaves on bare stems. — Example: jasminum nudiflorum
- numidica
- Of Numidia; from ancient North Africa, modern Algeria. — Example: abies numidica
- Nutans
- Nodding; with drooping or pendulous flower heads. — Example: holcus nutans
- nutkana
- Of Nootka Sound, British Columbia. — Example: rosa nutkana
- nuttallii
- Named for Thomas Nuttall, English-American botanist and naturalist. — Example: cornus nuttallii
- obassia
- Japanese vernacular name for this fragrant styrax species. — Example: styrax obassia
- Oblanceolate
- Inversely lance-shaped, broadest above the middle.
- obliqua
- Oblique; slanting or with unequal leaf bases. — Example: chelone obliqua
- oblonga
- Oblong; longer than broad with nearly parallel sides. — Example: cydonia oblonga
- Oblongus
- Oblong; longer than wide with roughly parallel sides. — Example: cydonia oblonga
- obovatus
- Inversely egg-shaped; broadest above the middle. — Example: cotinus obovatus
- obscura
- Dark or obscure; with dark coloring or hidden in shade. — Example: digitalis obscura
- Obtusifolius
- Blunt-leaved; having leaves with a rounded or obtuse tip. — Example: rumex obtusifolius
- obtusiloba
- Blunt-lobed; with rounded blunt-tipped leaf lobes. — Example: lindera obtusiloba
- odora
- Fragrant; sweet-smelling or pleasantly scented. — Example: daphne odora
- odoratum
- Fragrant, sweet-smelling; with a pleasing scent. — Example: galium odoratum
- Officinalis
- Used in medicine or the apothecary trade; of medicinal use. — Example: salvia officinalis
- Offsets
- Small plants that develop at the base of a parent plant and can be separated for propagation.
- Oleaceus
- Olive-like; resembling an olive in leaf, fruit, or color. — Example: lactuca oleacea
- Olympicus
- Of Mount Olympus; from the legendary mountain of the Greek gods. — Example: verbascum olympicum
- omorika
- Serbian name omorika for the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). — Example: picea omorika
- Open-pollinated
- A plant variety that reproduces true to type from seed through natural pollination by wind, insects, or self-pollination.
- ophiuroides
- Serpent-tail-like; with creeping habit suggesting a snake's tail. — Example: eremochloa ophiuroides
- Opposite
- A leaf arrangement where pairs of leaves emerge from the same node on opposing sides.
- Oppositus
- Opposite; with leaves arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. — Example: veronica opposita
- Organic Matter
- Decomposed or decomposing plant and animal material in soil.
- Orientalis
- Of the East; from eastern regions or the Orient. — Example: picea orientalis
- Ornamental Grass
- A grass or grass-like plant grown primarily for decorative purposes.
- Ornatus
- Adorned or ornamented; bearing striking markings or decorative features. — Example: carex ornata
- ornus
- The manna ash; the ancient Latin name for the flowering ash. — Example: fraxinus ornus
- orvala
- An old vernacular name for a type of clary or dead-nettle. — Example: lamium orvala
- otophorum
- Ear-bearing; with ear-like lobes at the frond base. — Example: athyrium otophorum
- Ovate
- Egg-shaped, broadest below the middle.
- Ovatus
- Egg-shaped; broadly oval, widest below the middle. — Example: trillium ovatum
- Overwinter
- To survive or maintain a plant through the winter season.
- Paclobutrazol
- A plant growth regulator that slows shoot extension, stimulates root production, and improves stress tolerance in trees.
- Pallescens
- Becoming pale; fading to a paler color with age or season. — Example: carex pallescens
- Palmate
- Divided into lobes radiating from a central point, like fingers on a hand.
- Palmatifidus
- Palmately cleft; cut into lobes that radiate from a central point but not fully divided. — Example: asplenium palmatifidum
- palmatum
- Palmate; with hand-like lobed leaves. — Example: acer palmatum
- Paludosus
- Marshy; growing in swampy or boggy ground. — Example: carex paludosa
- palustre
- Of marshes; growing in boggy or marshy places. — Example: comarum palustre
- Panicle
- A branched flower cluster — essentially a compound raceme.
- paradoxa
- Paradoxical, unexpected; departing from what is expected. — Example: iris paradoxa
- Paradoxus
- Paradoxical; contrary to expectation or unlike its relatives. — Example: iris paradoxa
- Parent Species
- An original species used in creating a hybrid.
- Parthenocarpy
- The development of fruit without fertilization, producing seedless or nearly seedless fruit.
- Parvulus
- Very small; tiny; a diminutive form of parvus (small). — Example: sagina parvula
- Patens
- Spreading or open; with parts held out horizontally. — Example: clematis patens
- patula
- Spreading, open; with wide-spreading habit. — Example: tagetes patula
- Pedunculatus
- Stalked; with a distinct flower stalk (peduncle). — Example: pratia pedunculata
- peltata
- Shield-shaped; with a centrally attached leaf stalk. — Example: darmera peltata
- Peltatus
- Peltate; with the stalk attached to the centre of the leaf blade. — Example: darmera peltata
- pendula
- Weeping, pendulous; with drooping or hanging branches. — Example: betula pendula
- Pendulous
- Having branches that hang or droop downward.
- Pendulus
- Hanging; with drooping or weeping branches. — Example: betula pendula
- Percolation
- The movement of water downward through soil by gravity.
- Perennans
- Persisting; remaining alive through the year; perennial. — Example: erigeron perennans
- perenne
- Perennial; living for more than two years. — Example: lolium perenne
- Perennial
- A plant that lives for more than two years.
- Perennialize
- To treat a plant so that it survives and returns year after year.
- perfoliata
- Perfoliate; with the stem appearing to pierce the leaf. — Example: parahebe perfoliata
- Perfoliatus
- Perfoliate; with the stem appearing to pass through the leaf. — Example: parahebe perfoliata
- Pericarp
- The wall of a ripened ovary that forms the outer portion of a fruit, consisting of three layers.
- Perlite
- A lightweight volcanic mineral used to improve drainage and aeration in potting mixes.
- pernyi
- Named after Père Paul Hubert Perny, French missionary in China. — Example: ilex pernyi
- persica
- Of Persia; from Iran or the broader Persian region. — Example: parrotia persica
- Persicus
- Of Persia; from the region of modern Iran and surrounding areas. — Example: parrotia persica
- Petal
- One of the colorful modified leaves forming the showy part of a flower.
- Petaloideus
- Petal-like; having sepals, bracts, or stamens resembling petals. — Example: allium petaloideum
- Petiole
- The stalk that attaches a leaf blade to the stem.
- phellos
- Cork oak; the Greek name for the cork oak, applied to the willow oak. — Example: quercus phellos
- Phenology
- The study of recurring biological events and their relationship to climate and seasonal changes.
- Phenotype
- The observable physical characteristics of a plant resulting from the interaction of its genetics and environment.
- phillyreoides
- Resembling Phillyrea; with small leathery evergreen leaves. — Example: quercus phillyreoides
- Phloem
- The vascular tissue that transports sugars and nutrients throughout the plant.
- Photoperiod
- The duration of daylight in a 24-hour cycle, affecting plant growth and flowering.
- Photoperiodism
- A plant's response to the relative length of day and night, controlling flowering and dormancy.
- Photosynthesis
- The process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and CO₂ into sugar and oxygen.
- Phototropism
- The directional growth of a plant toward or away from light.
- Phylogeny
- The evolutionary history and relationships among species or groups of organisms.
- physalifolium
- With leaves like Physalis; with papery calyx-like structures. — Example: solanum physalifolium
- Phytophthora
- A genus of water mould pathogens causing root rot, crown rot, and sudden death in many plants.
- Phytotoxic
- Harmful or lethal to plants; describes substances that damage plant tissue or inhibit growth.
- pictum
- Painted, variegated; with colourfully marked leaves. — Example: acer pictum
- Pictus
- Painted; with variegated or spotted markings as if painted. — Example: acer pictum
- pilosa
- Softly hairy; covered with soft fine hairs. — Example: genista pilosa
- Pilosus
- Covered in long, soft, spreading hairs. — Example: genista pilosa
- pinaster
- Wild pine; the Latin name for a scrubby wild pine. — Example: pinus pinaster
- Pinching
- Removing the growing tip of a stem to encourage bushier growth.
- Pinnate
- Having leaflets arranged on each side of a central axis, like a feather.
- Pinnatifdus
- Pinnately cut; with lobes arranged feather-like on each side of the midrib. — Example: polypodium pinnatifidum
- pinsapo
- The Spanish fir; from the local Andalusian name pinsapo. — Example: abies pinsapo
- Pioneer Species
- The first plants to colonize a disturbed or barren environment.
- pisocarpa
- Pea-fruited; with small round fruits. — Example: rosa pisocarpa
- Pistil
- The female reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of stigma, style, and ovary.
- Pith
- The soft, spongy tissue at the center of stems and roots.
- platanoides
- Plane-tree-like; with lobed leaves resembling a plane tree. — Example: acer platanoides
- plicata
- Folded, plaited; with folded leaves or bracts. — Example: thuja plicata
- poissonii
- Named after Jean Louis Marie Poisson, French botanist at the Paris museum. — Example: primula poissonii
- Pollarding
- A pruning system where tree branches are cut back to the same points repeatedly, creating a knobby framework.
- Pollination
- The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma, enabling fertilisation.
- Pollinator
- An animal that transfers pollen between flowers, enabling fertilization.
- polyphylla
- Many-leaved; with many leaves or leaflets. — Example: paris polyphylla
- Ponticus
- Of Pontus; from the region around the Black Sea coast. — Example: artemisia pontica
- Populifolius
- Poplar-leaved; having broad, triangular leaves like a poplar. — Example: populus populifolia
- poscharskyana
- Named after Gustav Adolf Poscharsky, head gardener at Dresden Botanic Garden. — Example: campanula poscharskyana
- Potting Up
- Transplanting a plant into a larger container to allow continued growth.
- Powdery Mildew
- A fungal disease appearing as white, powdery patches on leaf surfaces.
- PPQ Model
- A framework for tree structural assessment: Prognosis, Prescription, and Quality.
- Praestans
- Outstanding or excellent; surpassing others of its kind. — Example: tulipa praestans
- Pratensis
- Of meadows; growing in grassy meadow habitats. — Example: poa pratensis
- Prescriptive Pruning
- A science-based pruning approach that prescribes specific cuts based on tree biology and structural goals.
- procera
- Tall, high; of noble or stately stature. — Example: abies procera
- Procerus
- Very tall and slender; of stately, towering height. — Example: abies procera
- Procumbens
- Lying flat; prostrate; sprawling along the ground. — Example: sagina procumbens
- proliferum
- Proliferous; producing offsets or bulbils freely. — Example: allium proliferum
- Proliferus
- Proliferating; producing offshoots, plantlets, or extra floral parts. — Example: allium proliferum
- Prostrate
- Growing flat along the ground.
- Provenance
- The geographic origin of a plant or seed source.
- Pruinosus
- Frosted; covered in a waxy, powdery bloom like hoarfrost. — Example: sorbus pruinosa
- Pruning
- Selectively removing plant parts to improve health, shape, or productivity.
- pseudoacacia
- False acacia; resembling an acacia but a different genus. — Example: robinia pseudoacacia
- pseudohupehensis
- False hupehensis; closely resembling Sorbus hupehensis but a distinct species. — Example: sorbus pseudohupehensis
- pseudoplatanus
- False plane tree; a maple with plane-like lobed leaves. — Example: acer pseudoplatanus
- pseudosieboldianum
- False sieboldianum; resembling Acer sieboldianum but from Korea. — Example: acer pseudosieboldianum
- Pulvinatus
- Cushion-forming; growing in tight, dome-shaped mounds. — Example: dionysia pulvinata
- pumila
- Dwarf; of small or compact stature. — Example: pinus pumila
- Pumilus
- Dwarf; very small in stature. — Example: pinus pumila
- Punctatus
- Dotted or punctate; covered in minute dots or glands. — Example: saxifraga punctata
- pungens
- Pungent; sharp-pointed; with prickling leaves or a piercing scent. — Example: picea pungens
- Purpureus
- Purple; having purple or reddish-purple coloration. — Example: cistus purpureus
- purpusii
- Named after Carl Albert Purpus, German-American plant collector in Mexico. — Example: lonicera purpusii
- purshiana
- Named after Frederick Pursh, botanist who authored the first North American flora. — Example: frangula purshiana
- Pyramidalis
- Pyramidal; tapering to a point from a broad base like a pyramid. — Example: populus pyramidalis
- quadrifolia
- Four-leaved; bearing four leaves or leaflets. — Example: paris quadrifolia
- quamash
- Camas; from the Nez Perce word for the edible bulb plant. — Example: camassia quamash
- Quercinus
- Oak-like; resembling an oak in leaf or character. — Example: quercus quercina
- Raceme
- An unbranched flower cluster where individual flowers are attached by short stalks along a central stem.
- Racemifer
- Berry-bearing; producing clusters of berries or berry-like fruits. — Example: sambucus racemifera
- racemosa
- Bearing racemes; with flowers in elongated clusters. — Example: actaea racemosa
- Racemosus
- Having flowers arranged in racemes; bearing elongated flower clusters. — Example: cercis racemosa
- Rachis
- The main axis of a compound leaf or inflorescence.
- Raphide
- Needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals in plant cells that cause irritation when tissue is chewed or ingested.
- rebaudiana
- Named after Moisés Santiago Bertoni, who described stevia, via Rebaudi. — Example: stevia rebaudiana
- Reflexus
- Reflexed; sharply bent back, more extremely than recurved. — Example: picea abies reflexa
- Regalis
- Royal; of regal or kingly stature or appearance. — Example: osmunda regalis
- Reniform
- Kidney-shaped, wider than long with a rounded outline.
- Repens
- Creeping; growing along the ground with prostrate stems. — Example: elymus repens
- Reptans
- Creeping; growing low and creeping along the ground. — Example: ajuga reptans
- Resinosa
- Resinous; producing or covered in resin. — Example: pinus resinosa
- Resistograph
- A tool that measures resistance to drilling to detect internal decay and cavities in tree trunks.
- retusus
- Notched at the tip; with a shallow indentation at the apex. — Example: chionanthus retusus
- Reversion
- The loss of variegation in a plant, where new growth returns to solid green due to insufficient light or genetic instability.
- Rhizomatosus
- Rhizomatous; spreading by underground stems. — Example: carex rhizomatosa
- Rhizomatous
- Spreading by underground horizontal stems (rhizomes).
- rigida
- Stiff, rigid; with stiff, inflexible parts. — Example: pinus rigida
- Rigidus
- Rigid; stiff and inflexible in stem, leaf, or habit. — Example: pinus rigida
- ringens
- Gaping; with a wide-open two-lipped flower. — Example: salvia ringens
- riparia
- Of riverbanks; growing beside rivers or streams. — Example: carex riparia
- Riparian
- Relating to the banks and margins of rivers, streams, or other waterways.
- Riparius
- Of riverbanks; growing on the margins of rivers. — Example: carex riparia
- robertianum
- Of Robert; herb Robert; dedicated to Saint Robert or Robert of Molesme. — Example: geranium robertianum
- robur
- Strength, hardness; the pedunculate oak; Latin for strength. — Example: quercus robur
- robusta
- Robust, strong; of sturdy, vigorous constitution. — Example: fargesia robusta
- Robustior
- More robust; comparatively stronger or larger than the typical form. — Example: cotoneaster robustior
- Robustus
- Robust; strong; of vigorous, sturdy constitution. — Example: iris robusta
- rolfei
- Named after Edward Rolf, British botanist and orchid specialist. — Example: rubus rolfei
- Root-bound
- A condition where roots have filled the container and begun circling.
- Root Flare
- The widened area at the base of a tree trunk where the roots begin to spread outward.
- Rooting Hormone
- A substance applied to cuttings to stimulate root formation.
- Root Rot
- A group of diseases caused by soil-borne fungi that destroy root tissue.
- Rootstock
- The root system and lower trunk onto which a scion is grafted.
- rosea
- Rose-coloured; of a pink or rose colour. — Example: alcea rosea
- Roseus
- Rose-pink; having soft pink coloration. — Example: alcea rosea
- rosmarinus
- Rosemary; the Latin name for rosemary, meaning dew of the sea. — Example: salvia rosmarinus
- Rosoides
- Rose-like; resembling a rose in flower or leaf. — Example: rosa rosoides
- Rubescens
- Becoming red; developing reddish coloration, especially in autumn or cold. — Example: epilobium rubescens
- Rubra
- Red; having red-colored parts. — Example: acer rubrum
- rugosa
- Wrinkled; with a rugose, corrugated surface. — Example: rosa rugosa
- Rugosus
- Wrinkled or rugose; having a deeply wrinkled surface. — Example: rosa rugosa
- Runners
- Horizontal stems that grow along the ground surface and produce new plants at their nodes.
- Rupicola
- Rock-dwelling; an inhabitant of cliffs and rocky ground. — Example: primula rupicola
- Rust
- A fungal disease producing orange, yellow, or brown powdery pustules on plant tissue.
- ruthenicus
- Of Ruthenia; from the Ruthenian region of eastern Europe. — Example: echinops ruthenicus
- sabiniana
- Named after Joseph Sabine, English naturalist and horticulturist. — Example: pinus sabiniana
- saccharum
- Sugar; the sugar maple; from Greek sakcharon. — Example: acer saccharum
- Sagittatus
- Arrow-shaped; with two backward-pointing lobes at the base like an arrowhead. — Example: sagittaria sagittata
- Samara
- A winged, dry fruit that spins as it falls, aiding wind dispersal.
- Sandy Soil
- Coarse-textured soil with large particles that drains quickly but retains few nutrients.
- Sanguineus
- Blood-red; having deep, rich red coloration. — Example: ribes sanguineum
- Sapwood
- The lighter outer wood of a tree trunk that actively conducts water and nutrients.
- sargentiana
- Named after Charles Sprague Sargent, American dendrologist. — Example: magnolia sargentiana
- Sarmentosus
- Producing long runners or stolons; scrambling by whip-like shoots. — Example: oenanthe sarmentosa
- sasanqua
- From the Japanese name sasankwa for this camellia. — Example: camellia sasanqua
- sativa
- Cultivated; sown; grown for food or use. — Example: lactuca sativa
- Saxatilis
- Growing among rocks; inhabiting stony ground. — Example: iberis saxatilis
- Scaffold Branch
- One of the main structural limbs forming the framework of a tree crown.
- Scandent
- A climbing or scrambling growth habit, ascending by leaning on or attaching to supports.
- Scanicus
- Of Scania or Scandinavia; from the northern European region. — Example: dianthus scanicus
- Scaposa
- With a scape; bearing a leafless flower stem arising from the base. — Example: daphne scaposa
- Scarification
- Mechanically or chemically weakening a seed coat to allow germination.
- schillingii
- Named after Tony Schilling, British plantsman and Himalayan explorer. — Example: euphorbia schillingii
- schlippenbachii
- Named after Baron Alexander von Schlippenbach, Russian naval officer and plant collector. — Example: rhododendron schlippenbachii
- schubertii
- Named after Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert, German naturalist. — Example: allium schubertii
- Scion
- The upper portion of a graft — the shoot or bud from the desired variety.
- Scorpioides
- Scorpion-like; with a coiled, scorpion-tail-like inflorescence. — Example: myosotis scorpioides
- scouleri
- Named after John Scouler, Scottish naturalist and explorer of the Pacific Northwest. — Example: corydalis scouleri
- Scutatus
- Shield-shaped; broad and round like a Roman shield. — Example: atriplex scutata
- Seed Saving
- Collecting and storing seeds from garden plants for future planting.
- selskianus
- Named after a person named Selski; a personal honorific. — Example: phedimus selskianus
- Semi-deciduous
- Losing some but not all foliage seasonally, depending on climate severity.
- Semi-dormant
- In a state of reduced but not fully suspended growth activity.
- Semi-double
- A flower with more petals than a single bloom but fewer than a fully double one. — Example: rosa ballerina
- Semi-dwarf
- Reaching roughly half to two-thirds the size of the standard species form.
- Semi-erect
- Growing at an angle between upright and spreading, with stems that lean outward.
- Semi-evergreen
- Retaining some but not all leaves through winter, depending on climate. — Example: ligustrum japonicum
- Semi-prostrate
- Growing mostly along the ground but with stems or branches that arch partially upward. — Example: cotoneaster dammeri
- Semi-woody
- Having stems that are partially lignified — woody at the base but soft and herbaceous toward the tips. — Example: lavandula angustifolia
- semperflorens-cultorum
- Always-flowering, of cultivation; the bedding begonia group. — Example: begonia
- Sempervirens
- Always green; evergreen; retaining leaves year-round. — Example: buxus sempervirens
- Senescence
- The aging process in plants, leading to deterioration and eventual death of cells or organs.
- seoanei
- Named after Miguel Colmeiro Seoane, Spanish botanist. — Example: serratula seoanei
- Sepal
- One of the outer leaf-like parts that enclose a flower bud.
- Septoria Leaf Spot
- A common fungal disease causing small, round spots with dark margins on lower leaves, gradually defoliating the plant upward.
- sericea
- Silky; covered with fine silky hairs. — Example: cornus sericea
- Sericeus
- Silky; having a smooth, glossy, silk-like texture of fine hairs. — Example: cornus sericea
- Serotinus
- Late; flowering, fruiting, or leafing out late in the season. — Example: lonicera serotina
- serpens
- Creeping, serpent-like; with sinuous creeping stems. — Example: euphorbia serpens
- serpyllum
- Wild thyme; the classical Greek and Latin name for wild thyme. — Example: thymus serpyllum
- Serrate
- Having sharp, forward-pointing teeth along the margin, like a saw.
- serriola
- A pre-Linnaean name for prickly lettuce; of uncertain origin. — Example: lactuca serriola
- serrulata
- Finely toothed; with minute serrations on the margin. — Example: prunus serrulata
- Serrulatus
- Finely toothed; having minute, saw-like teeth along the margin. — Example: prunus serrulata
- Sessilis
- Stalkless; attached directly without a petiole or stalk. — Example: carex sessilis
- Setosus
- Bristly; covered in stiff, bristle-like hairs or setae. — Example: carex setosa
- Shade Tolerance
- A plant's ability to thrive in low-light conditions.
- siberica
- Of Siberia; native to Siberia or northern Asia. — Example: scilla siberica
- sibirica
- Of Siberia; from Siberia or northern Asia. — Example: iris sibirica
- Sibiricus
- Of Siberia; from the vast cold regions of northern Asia. — Example: iris sibirica
- Side-dressing
- Applying fertilizer in a band alongside growing plants during the season to sustain nutrition as crops mature.
- sieboldiana
- Named after Philipp Franz von Siebold, German physician and botanist in Japan. — Example: hosta sieboldiana
- sieboldii
- Named after Philipp Franz von Siebold; genitive form. — Example: sedum sieboldii
- Simple Leaf
- A leaf with a single, undivided blade attached to the petiole.
- Sinensis
- Of China; from China — the classical Latin form. — Example: nyssa sinensis
- Sinuatus
- Wavy-margined; with deep, wavy indentations along the leaf edge. — Example: hydrangea sinuata
- sitchensis
- Of Sitka, Alaska; from the Sitka region of southeastern Alaska. — Example: picea sitchensis
- smithii
- Named after a person named Smith; a personal honorific. — Example: prosartes smithii
- Softwood Cutting
- A cutting taken from young, flexible, actively growing stems.
- Soil Amendment
- Any material mixed into soil to improve its physical or chemical properties.
- Soil Food Web
- The complex community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and other organisms that cycle nutrients and support plant health in soil.
- Soil Horizon
- A distinct layer in a soil profile with different properties.
- Soil pH
- A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0-14, affecting nutrient availability.
- soulangeana
- Named after Étienne Soulange-Bodin, French botanist who raised the hybrid magnolia. — Example: magnolia soulangeana
- Spadiceus
- Date-brown; deep brown, the color of a ripe date or palm spathe. — Example: carex spadicea
- Spathulatus
- Spatula-shaped; with a narrow base broadening to a rounded tip. — Example: draba spathulata
- Species
- The basic unit of biological classification; a group of similar organisms.
- Spicatus
- Having flowers in spikes; bearing dense, elongated, stalkless flower clusters. — Example: mentha spicata
- Spinescens
- Becoming spiny; developing spines, especially as it ages. — Example: berberis spinescens
- splendens
- Splendid, shining; with lustrous or brilliant appearance. — Example: asarum splendens
- spp.
- Species plural; abbreviation indicating multiple species of a genus. — Example: festuca spp
- sprengeri
- Named after Curt Sprengel, German botanist and plant systematist. — Example: magnolia sprengeri
- Squamosus
- Scaly; covered with scales or scale-like structures. — Example: carex squamosa
- Stamen
- The male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of anther and filament.
- Stem Cutting
- A section of stem removed from a plant and rooted to create a new plant.
- Sterilis
- Sterile; not producing fertile seed or fruit. — Example: bromus sterilis
- sternii
- Named after Sir Frederick Stern, English plantsman and garden maker. — Example: helleborus sternii
- Stigma
- The sticky tip of the pistil that receives pollen.
- stipata
- Crowded, packed together; with densely clustered parts. — Example: carex stipata
- Stipule
- A small appendage at the base of a leaf stalk.
- stoebe
- A pre-Linnaean Greek name for a thistle-like plant. — Example: centaurea stoebe
- stoechas
- From the Stoechades islands (now Îles d'Hyères, France); the French lavender. — Example: lavandula stoechas
- Stolon
- A horizontal stem that grows along the soil surface and produces new plants at its nodes.
- Stolonifer
- Stolon-bearing; producing runners (alternate form of stolonifera). — Example: agrostis stolonifera
- Stoloniferous
- Producing horizontal runners that root at nodes to form new plants.
- Stomata
- Microscopic pores on leaf surfaces that control gas exchange and water loss.
- Stramineus
- Straw-colored; pale yellow, the color of dry straw. — Example: carex straminea
- Stratification
- A cold treatment period required by some seeds before they will germinate.
- Striatus
- Striped; marked with parallel lines or streaks. — Example: carex striata
- strobus
- Pine cone; the Latin name for a type of pine. — Example: pinus strobus
- Structural Pruning
- Pruning young trees to develop strong architecture and a single dominant leader.
- styraciflua
- Flowing with storax; producing fragrant resin. — Example: liquidambar
- suber
- Cork; the Latin name for the cork oak. — Example: quercus suber
- Subordination
- A pruning technique that reduces the length of a competing branch or leader to slow its growth relative to the preferred leader.
- Subshrub
- A plant with a woody base but herbaceous upper stems that die back seasonally.
- Subspecies
- A geographically or morphologically distinct population within a species.
- subulata
- Awl-shaped; with very narrow, pointed leaves. — Example: sagina subulata
- Succession Planting
- Staggering plantings over time for a continuous harvest.
- Succulent
- A plant with thick, fleshy tissues adapted to store water.
- Succulentus
- Succulent; having fleshy, water-storing tissues. — Example: sedum succulentum
- Sucker
- A shoot arising from the root system or below a graft union.
- Suffruticosus
- Sub-shrubby; woody only at the base, with herbaceous upper stems. — Example: paeonia suffruticosa
- Sulcatus
- Furrowed or grooved; marked with parallel grooves. — Example: iris sulcata
- sylvatica
- Of woodland; growing in woods or forests. — Example: fagus sylvatica
- Sylvaticus
- Of the woods; growing in or associated with forest habitat. — Example: senecio sylvaticus
- Sylvicola
- Forest-dwelling; an inhabitant of woodland. — Example: carex sylvicola
- Symbiosis
- A close, long-term biological interaction between two different organisms.
- syriacus
- Of Syria; from Syria or the eastern Mediterranean. — Example: hibiscus syriacus
- tangutica
- Of Tangut; from the Tangut region of northwest China. — Example: daphne tangutica
- Taproot
- A single, thick, dominant root that grows vertically downward.
- Taxon
- A named group of organisms at any rank in the classification hierarchy.
- tectorum
- Of rooftops; growing on thatched or tiled roofs. — Example: bromus tectorum
- tegmentosum
- Covered, having a covering; with conspicuous bark covering. — Example: acer tegmentosum
- Tenax
- Tenacious; tough, strong-fibered, or clinging firmly. — Example: phormium tenax
- Tendril
- A slender, coiling structure used by climbing plants to grasp supports.
- Teretis
- Terete; having a smooth, cylindrical, circular cross-section. — Example: carex teretis
- ternata
- In threes; with parts in groups of three. — Example: choisya ternata
- testacea
- Brick-red, tile-coloured; of a warm terracotta hue. — Example: carex testacea
- tetraphyllus
- Four-leaved; bearing four leaves or leaf-like bracts. — Example: restio tetraphyllus
- Textilis
- Used for weaving; providing fiber for textile production. — Example: musa textilis
- thapsus
- Of Thapsos; the ancient name for the great mullein. — Example: verbascum thapsus
- Thatch
- A layer of dead organic matter that accumulates between grass blades and soil surface.
- Thinning Cut
- A pruning cut that removes a branch at its point of origin.
- thunbergii
- Named after Carl Peter Thunberg, Swedish botanist who studied Japanese flora. — Example: pinus thunbergii
- thuringiaca
- Of Thuringia; from the Thuringia region of central Germany. — Example: lavatera thuringiaca
- Tilth
- The physical condition and workability of soil for planting.
- Tinctorus
- Used for dyeing; yielding a dye or coloring matter. — Example: reseda tinctoria
- tinus
- Laurustinus; the classical Latin name for this viburnum. — Example: viburnum tinus
- Tissue Culture
- A laboratory propagation technique using small plant tissue pieces grown on sterile nutrient media.
- tommasinianus
- Named after Muzio de Tommasini, Italian botanist from Trieste. — Example: crocus tommasinianus
- Top-dressing
- Applying compost or fertilizer to the soil surface without digging it in.
- Topdressing
- Applying a thin layer of material over the surface of a lawn or planting bed.
- Topping
- The harmful practice of indiscriminately cutting back tree branches to stubs or lateral branches too small to assume the terminal role.
- Trailing
- Growing along the ground or hanging down from containers.
- Transpiration
- The process by which water evaporates from plant leaves.
- Transplant Shock
- Stress experienced by a plant after being moved to a new location.
- Tree Protection Zone
- A designated area around a tree where construction activity is restricted to prevent root damage.
- Tree Risk Assessment
- A systematic evaluation of the likelihood and consequences of tree failure.
- tremuloides
- Resembling Populus tremula; quaking, trembling like an aspen. — Example: populus tremuloides
- trichocarpa
- Hairy-fruited; with hairy seed capsules or fruits. — Example: rhus trichocarpa
- Trichome
- A tiny hair-like outgrowth from the surface of a plant.
- trifidum
- Three-cleft; divided into three segments. — Example: galium trifidum
- triflorum
- Three-flowered; bearing flowers in groups of three. — Example: acer triflorum
- trifoliata
- Three-leaved; with leaves divided into three leaflets. — Example: tiarella trifoliata
- Trifoliate
- Having three leaflets per leaf.
- Trifolius
- Three-leaved; bearing leaves divided into three leaflets. — Example: cardamine trifolia
- triphylla
- Three-leaved; bearing three leaves or leaflets. — Example: achlys triphylla
- tristis
- Sad, dull, gloomy; of sombre or dull colouring. — Example: anasa tristis
- truncatum
- Truncate; with a leaf base or apex appearing cut straight across. — Example: acer truncatum
- Truncatus
- Truncate; abruptly cut off as if with a straight cut. — Example: acer truncatum
- tschoskii
- Named after Tschoski; a personal honorific epithet. — Example: acer tschoskii
- Tuber
- A swollen underground stem or root used for nutrient storage.
- tuberosum
- Tuberous; bearing tubers or tuberous roots. — Example: allium tuberosum
- Tuberosus
- Bearing tubers; having swollen underground storage organs. — Example: allium tuberosum
- tupa
- From the Chilean vernacular name tupa for this Lobelia. — Example: lobelia tupa
- Turcicus
- Of Turkey; native to Anatolia or the broader Turkish region. — Example: dianthus turcicus
- Turgidus
- Swollen or turgid; distended with fluid or growth. — Example: carex turgida
- Turgor
- The pressure of cell contents against the cell wall, keeping plant cells firm and upright.
- tweedyi
- Named after Frank Tweedy, American topographer and plant collector. — Example: lewisiopsis tweedyi
- typhina
- Bulrush-like; with spikes resembling a bulrush. — Example: rhus typhina
- Uliginosus
- Of bogs or waterlogged ground; growing in very wet, peaty soil. — Example: lotus uliginosus
- Umbel
- A flower cluster where stalks of nearly equal length radiate from a common point, like an umbrella.
- Umbellatus
- Bearing flowers in umbels; with flower stalks radiating from a single point. — Example: butomus umbellatus
- umbrosa
- Of shade; growing in shaded or shadowy places. — Example: carex umbrosa
- Umbrosus
- Of shady places; growing in or tolerating shade. — Example: carex umbrosa
- unalaschkensis
- Of Unalaska; from Unalaska island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. — Example: cornus unalaschkensis
- Understory
- The layer of vegetation growing beneath the main canopy of a forest.
- unedo
- The strawberry tree; the Latin name meaning "I eat one" (one is enough). — Example: arbutus unedo
- Urban Forest Management
- The planning, establishment, and maintenance of trees and forests in urban environments.
- Urens
- Stinging or burning; causing a burning sensation on contact. — Example: urtica urens
- ursinus
- Bear-like; of bears; associated with bears. — Example: rubus ursinus
- vanhouttei
- Named after Louis Van Houtte, Belgian nurseryman and horticulturist. — Example: spiraea vanhouttei
- Variabilis
- Variable; showing significant variation within the species. — Example: hypericum variabile
- Variegation
- The appearance of differently colored zones in leaves caused by genetic mutation, chimeral tissue, or viral infection.
- Variegatus
- Variegated; having leaves or parts marked with two or more colors. — Example: vinca major variegata
- Variety
- A naturally occurring subdivision of a species with distinct characteristics.
- veitchiana
- Named after the Veitch nurseries, celebrated English plant introducers. — Example: saxifraga veitchiana
- velutina
- Velvety; with a dense, velvety covering of hairs. — Example: fraxinus velutina
- Velutinus
- Velvety; covered in soft, dense, velvety hairs. — Example: fraxinus velutina
- Venenatus
- Venomous or very poisonous; filled with venom or deadly poison. — Example: aconitum venenatum
- Venosus
- Prominently veined; having conspicuous leaf veins. — Example: veratrum venosum
- venustum
- Charming, graceful; of elegant or lovely appearance. — Example: adiantum venustum
- Venustus
- Charming; graceful and lovely, with the grace of Venus. — Example: adiantum venustum
- Vermiculite
- A mineral that expands when heated, used in potting mixes for moisture retention.
- Vernalization
- The requirement for a period of cold exposure to trigger flowering in certain plants.
- Verticillatus
- Whorled; with leaves or branches arranged in circles around the stem. — Example: ilex verticillata
- Verticillium Wilt
- A soil-borne fungal disease that clogs water-conducting vessels, causing progressive yellowing and wilting from the base upward.
- Vesicarius
- Bladder-like; having inflated, bladder-like structures. — Example: silene vesicaria
- Vespertinus
- Of the evening; opening in the late afternoon or at dusk. — Example: oenothera vespertina
- Vigor
- The overall health, growth rate, and vitality of a plant.
- Villosus
- Villous; covered in long, soft, shaggy hairs. — Example: vicia villosa
- vinifera
- Wine-bearing; producing grapes for wine. — Example: vitis vinifera
- Vining
- Growing by climbing or trailing with elongated flexible stems.
- Vinosus
- Wine-colored; deep purplish-red, like red wine. — Example: vitis vinosa
- Violaceus
- Violet; having blue-violet or purple-violet coloration. — Example: tulbaghia violacea
- virgata
- Wand-like, twiggy; with slender, rod-like branches. — Example: euphorbia virgata
- Virginianus
- Of Virginia; from the eastern seaboard of North America. — Example: pinus virginiana
- viscosa
- Sticky, viscous; with a gluey or resinous surface. — Example: inula viscosa
- Viscosus
- Sticky; covered in a viscid, gluey secretion. — Example: inula viscosa
- Vista Pruning
- Selective removal of branches to open a view through or past trees.
- vitalba
- White vine; from Latin for vine and white; old man's beard. — Example: clematis vitalba
- vitis-idaea
- Vine of Mount Ida; the cowberry; ancient name from Cretan mythology. — Example: vaccinium vitis idaea
- Vittatus
- Banded or striped lengthwise; marked with a colored band. — Example: asparagus vittatus
- vivipara
- Viviparous; producing plantlets or germinating on the parent plant. — Example: poa vivipara
- Viviparus
- Viviparous; producing live plantlets rather than seeds. — Example: poa vivipara
- Volubilis
- Twining; climbing by coiling its stems around a support. — Example: fallopia volubilis
- Voluminosus
- Full-bodied or voluminous; of ample, rounded proportions. — Example: carex voluminosa
- Vulgatus
- Common or widespread; occurring extensively. — Example: senecio vulgatus
- vulpina
- Of foxes; fox-like; associated with foxes. — Example: carex vulpina
- Vulpinus
- Of the fox; fox-like in some characteristic. — Example: carex vulpina
- walleriana
- Named after Horace Waller, English missionary and African explorer. — Example: impatiens walleriana
- wallichiana
- Named after Nathaniel Wallich, Danish-British botanist in India. — Example: pinus wallichiana
- warleyense
- Of Warley; from Warley Place, garden of Ellen Willmott in Essex. — Example: epimedium warleyense
- watereri
- Named after the Waterer family, English nurserymen famous for rhododendrons. — Example: laburnum x watereri
- Watersprout
- A vigorous, upright shoot growing from the trunk or older branches.
- Weeping
- Having branches that arch downward toward the ground.
- Whorled
- A leaf arrangement where three or more leaves emerge from a single node.
- wildpretii
- Named after Hermann Wildpret, German gardener in the Canary Islands. — Example: echium wildpretii
- wilsonii
- Named after Ernest Henry Wilson, English plant collector in China. — Example: magnolia wilsonii
- wittrockiana
- Named after Veit Brecher Wittrock, Swedish botanist who monographed pansies. — Example: viola wittrockiana
- Wound Closure
- The process by which a tree grows new wood and bark over a pruning cut or wound.
- xanthii
- Of Xanthi; from Xanthi, a region of Greece, or named after a person. — Example: podosphaera xanthii
- Xanthinus
- Yellow; having a bright, clear yellow color. — Example: iris xanthina
- Xanthocarpus
- Yellow-fruited; bearing yellow berries or fruit. — Example: sorbus xanthocarpa
- Xeriscape
- A landscaping approach that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation.
- Xerophyte
- A plant adapted to survive in dry, arid conditions.
- Xylem
- The vascular tissue that transports water and minerals upward from roots.
- yedoensis
- Of Yedo (Edo, Tokyo); from old Tokyo, Japan. — Example: prunus yedoensis
- yunnanensis
- Of Yunnan; native to Yunnan province, southwest China. — Example: pinus yunnanensis