Botanic Scientific Terms

selinum - G. Parsley. - 8, Jan 84, pp29

sella - G. A seat, refers to the habit. See Limosella. - 1, 236; 18,192

sema - G. n. Sign, mark, token. Standard. See Eriosema, Brachysema, Tylosema, Stenosemis. - 1,128,138; 10,57; 14, 279; 16, 172d, 180c; 18,60,162,256,274

semi- - L. Half. Semicircularis, semi-circular. Greek hemi-. In compounds, half-. - 14, 303, 508

semia - G. f. Military standard, vexillum (the large external petal of a papilionaceous flower). - 14,279

semiamplexicaulis – DSN. Half stem-clasping. See Myosotis s. – 18,468

semiloba - DSN. Refers to the leaflets that are lobed for about half their length. See Oxalis s. - 5,pl92; 18,402

semitrifidus – DSN. Half cut into three parts. See Cyperus s. – 18,562

semper- - L. Always. Semper virens, evergreen. G. ai-. - 14, 303

sempervirens - DSN. Evergreen. See Bauxis s., Cupressus s. - 10, 60, 117, 340

senecio – DSN. See Solanecio. Genus Senecio named by Pliny from Senex, ‘old man’, alluding to the white hairs of the seed capsule or pappus. [Pappus-downy or feathery appendage on fruit, seeds etc]. The seed heads look like white hair. Some suggest that the naked receptacle resembles a bald pate. - 1, 268, 270, 272, 274, 278; 3, 178; 5, pl 192; 10, 295; 12, 301; 13,1220; 16, 426e,f, 428b,d, 430a,c-e, 432a-c, 434a, 436a-c, 446f, 452g, 454h

senegal - GSN. The African state. See Acacia s. - 1, 142

senegalense - GSN. L. From Senegal. See Polygonum s., Annona s. subsp s. - 1, 104; 16, 142b

senegalensis - GSN. L. From Senegal. See Maytenus s. - 16, 236b

senensis - GSN. From Sena on the Zambezi river in Mozambique, where this plant was first collected. See Barleria s. - 16, 396e, 398f

senex - L. An old man. See genus Senecio. Refers to whitish grey hairy pappus.- 1, 268; 3, 178; 10, 295; 12, 301; 13, 1220; 16, 426e,f; 18,218,320,444,498

senna - DGN. Arabic. A plant species found in Egypt that is used as a purgative. - !6, 182e

sepalum - L. Sepal. See Scaphosepalum. - 28, 391

sepiarius - DSN. Of hedges.- 12, 304; 13, 1223

sept-L. septem-, septen-. In compounds, seven. - 14, 509

septem- - L. sept-, septen-. In compounds, seven. - 14, 509

septen- - L. septem-, sept-. In compounds, seven. - 14, 509

septentrionale - GSN. From the north. See Helichrysopsis s. – 18,212

sericea - DSN. L. Like silk. Silky with long appressed glossy hairs for Mundulea s. See Terminalia s., Podalyria s. Leucosidea s. - 1, 130, 184; 5, pl 85; 10, 258, 340; 16,158d,170c,276e

sericeovillosus - DSN. Grey haired, refers to the dense silvery hairs. See Gladiolus s. – 18,112,358

sericocephala - DSN. G. From serikos, silk and kephale, a head. See Gnidia s. - 1, 182; 16, 272b

sericophylla – DSN. Silky leaves. See Lotononis s. – 18,462

sericosemium - DSN. Silver seeds. See Argyrolobium s. – 18,266

serikos - G. Silk. See sericocephala. - 1, 182; 16,272b

seris - G. f. Endive, chicory. - 14, 279

serotinus - DSN. Late. - 12, 304; 13, 1223.

serpentaria – DSN. Like a serpent, refers to its use in treating snakebite. See Polygala s. – 18,404

serpentina - DSN. L. Serpentine, (writhing, coiling, sinuous). See Cepopegia s. subsp serpentina. -16,318e

serrata - DSN. L. Saw-toothed. See Myrica s. - 16, 122a

serratum – DSN. Serrated. See Prionium s. – 18,570

serratus – DSN. Saw teeth. See Orthosiphon – 18,428

serrulata - DSN. Finely toothed margins to leaves. See Boronia s., Photinia s., Prunus s., Gazania krebsiana subsp s., Persicaria s. - 10, 54, 248, 269, 340; 16, 454g; 18,376

sesamon - G. Sesame. See Sesamum, Sesamothamnus. - 1, 244

sesamothamnus - DGN. G. From Sesamon, qv. And thamnos, a bush, because it resembles several species of the genus Sesamnus. – 1, 244; 16, 378h

sesamum - MGN. G. Sesame. See sesamon. This name was used by Hippocrates in ancient Greece. - 1,244; 5,pl.161; 18,434

sesbania - MSN. From the Arabic name for these herbs and shrubs. - 1, 132; 16, 168d

sesqui- - L. In compounds, one and a half. - 14, 509

sessiflora - DSN. L. With stalkless flowers. See Alectra s. var. s. - 16, 372b; 18,306

sessilifolia - DSN. L. Sessile-leaved (sitting without a stalk), with stalkless leaves. See Pearsonia s. subsp s., Pearsonia s. subsp s. filifolia., Coccinia s., Catasetum. - 1, 136, 140; 16,180d,182b, 184c,d,414a; 18,260

seta - L. A bristle. See genus Setaria., Catasetum. - 1, 14; 16, 24f; 28, 75

setaceus - DSN. Bristly. See Asparagus s. – 18,104

setaria - DSN. From seta, a bristle an allusion to the bristles that subtend the spikelets. - 1, 14; 16,24f

setifera - DSN. L. Bearing bristles, refers to long white hair on outer corona lobes.. See Alepidea s., Ceropegia racemosa subsp s., Berkheya s. - 1, 190, 212; 16, 286c, 318g,h; 18,174,336

setigerum – DSN. Bearing bristles. See Desmodium s. – 18,464

setosa - DSN. L. Bristly. See multisetosa. Albuca s. - 1, 22, 30; 3, 26; 16, 34f; 18,94

setosum - DSN. L. Full of bristles. See Helichrysum s. - 1, 278; 16, 438

setulosa - DSN. L. Covered with small bristles. See Crassula s. - 1, 122; 16, 156a; 18,148

sexangularis - DSN. L. Six—sided. In Kalanchoe s. it refers to the sometime 6-sided stems. - 16,154d
SH

shawii - CSN. After John Shaw. See Albuca s. - 16, 34c; 18,230

shiluwanensis – GSN. First described from the Shilovane district, Mpumalanga. See Tephrosia s. – 18,394

shirambensis - GSN. Collected at Chiramba (Shiramba) on the Zambezi, or in the lower Zambezi valley in Mozambique where this plant was collected for the first time. See Ipomoea s. - 5,pl133; 16, 336d
SI

sialon - G. Saliva, refers to some species having sticky stems. See Silene. - 3, 76; 18,138,382

sialos - G. Saliva. See silene. - 1, 108

sida - DSN. G. Name used by Theophratus for a water plant. See genus Sida.- 1,170; 16,252d,254h, 256a; 18,284

sideros - G. m. Iron. See genus Metrosideros, Sideroxylon. - 10, 229; 11, 142; 14, 279

sideroxylon - G. For sideros, iron and xylon wood. In genus Sideroxylon it alludes to the hardness of the wood. - 11, 142

sieberana - CSN. Franz Sieber. See Acacia s. - 1, 142

sieboldii - CSN. Philipp Franz von Siebold. - 12, 303; 13, 1222

sigma - G. C-shaped. See Sigmatostalix - 28, 394

sigmatostalix - DSN.G. From sigma C-shaped and stalix stake, probably in allusion to the slender arcate column.- 28, 394

sikyos – DSN. Cucumber. Ceratiosicyos.- 18,540

silene - DSN. G. From the Greek, sialon or sialos, (saliva), alluding to some species having sticky stems. - 1,108;3, 76; 16, 136b-d

silvatica - DSN. L. Growing in woods. See Harveya s., Nemesia s., Calanthe s. - 16, 372g; 18,190,434,458

silvaticus – DSN. From forest. See Streptocarpus s. – 18,486

silvestris - DSN. Of the woods. - 12, 303; 13, 1222

similis – DSN. Like. See Disa s. – 18,458

simmleri - CSN. G. Simmler. See Tulbaghia s. - 1, 22; 16, 52i

simplex - DSN. L. Simple, unbranched, of one piece, opposite of compound. See Stachys s., Ipomoea s., Murdannia s., Protea s., Buchnera s. - 16, 360g; 18,178,340,374,432

simulans - DGN. L. Resembling. See Cyphostemma s. - 16, 248a

sinensis - GSN. Chinese. See Camellia s., Cedrela s., Chaenomeles s., Corylopsis s., Stewartia s. - 10,67,81,87,106,307, 340

sinuatum - DSN. L. Strongly wavy. In Oxygonum s. it refers to the leaf margins. - 16, 300b

sinuata - DSN. Crooked. See Cussonia paniculata subsp s. - 16; 282

sinuatus - DSN. Crooked. See Stenocarpus s. - 10, 304, 340

sion – G. Greek name for a marsh plant. See genus Sium.- 18,296

sipho - DSN. Tube. - 10, 340

siphon - G. m. Tube, pipe. See Physosiphon, Orthosiphon.- 14, 279; 18,428; 28, 371

siphonoglossa - DSN. G. From siphonos, a tube and glossa, a tongue. - 16, 388e

siphono - G. A tube. See Siphonoglossa, Siphonochilus. - 16, 388e; 18,360

sira - G. n. Cord, rope. - 14, 279

-sis - Indicates an action of a general or abstract nature, verb base. Diagnosis, diagnosis from diagignoscein, to know apart. - 14, 307

sium - DSN. G. From sion, the name given to an umbellate (umbel = inflorence with flower stalks of nearly equal length springing from a common centre) marshy plant in ancient Greece. - 16,288a
SK

skaphe - G. Bowl. See Scaphosepalum, Scaphyglottis - 28, 391

skhinos - The Greek name for Pistacia, the mastic tree, some species yielding the same resinous, mastic-like juices. [mastic-gum or resin] See genus Schinus. - 10, 293

skias – DSN.A parasol. See genus Sciadopitys . - 10, 294

skimmia - DGN. Adapted from the Japanese Skimmi. - 10, 297; 12, 301; 13, 1220

skleros - G. Hard. See Sclerocarya., Sclerochiton. - 1, 160; 16, 398d; 18,200

skordon - DSN. Garlic. See Nothosscordum. - 18,92
SM

smaragdu - G. Emerald green. See Esmeralda - 28, 146

smilax – DSN. Ancient Greek name of obscure meaning. – 18,514,572

smithia - CSN. Sir James Edward Smith. - 16, 190b

smutsii – CSN. N. General Smuts, see Ficus smutsii. - 11, 4

smy- - See sy-
SO

sobennikoffia - CSN. Rudolph Schlechter’s wife whose maiden name was Sobennikoff. - 28, 395

sobralia - CSN. Dr Francisco Sorbal a Spanish physician. - 28,396

solanecio - DGN. Possibly a combination of two generic names, Solanum and Senecio. - 16, 428d; 18,330

solanum – MGN. Latin name for woody nightshade (Solanecio dulcamara) one of the species. See Solanecio, Solanum. - 5, pl 146; 10, 297; 16, 362a-c, 428d; 18,188,304,478

solen - G. m. Pipe. - 14, 279

solenidion- G. Small canal. .See Solenidium. - 28, 397

solenidium - DSN. G. From solenidion small canal, an allusion to the supposed channelled claw of the lip. Unfortunately this observation was based of a badly folded and pressed sample. - 28, 397

soleno - G. A pillar. See Solenostemon - 16, 356f

solenostemon - DSN. G. From Soleno, a pillar and stemonus, a wrap or stamen. - 16, 356f

solidus – DSN. Solid. See Mariscus s. – 18,564

solitudinis - DSN. Refers to the isolated inland distribution which distinguishes this species from others more or less confined to coastal areas. See Lotononis s. - 18,260

soma - G. n. Body. - 14, 279

somalensis - GSN. Refers to the fact that the species, Aërangis s., was first collected somewhere in the area inhabited by the Somali people in northern Kenya or Somalia. See Aerangis s. - 1,96; 16, 118c

somnifera – DSN. Sleep producing. Withania s. - 18,72

somniferus - DSN. Sleep-inducing. - 13, 1223

sonchos – DSN. Cow thistle. See genus Sonchus.- 18,338

sonderi - CSN. Prof Otto Wilhelm Sonder, see Triumfetta s., Ficus s, Hypericum aethiopicum s. - 1,168,178; 11, 4; 16, 250c, 266e; 18,290

sonderiana – CSN. Named after Otto Sonder. See Begonia s. – 18,408

sonneratianum - CSN. Named after Pierre Sonnerat. See Abutilon s. – 18,282

sophora - MGN. From sophera, an Arabian name for a tree with pear-shaped flowers. - 10, 298

sophronia - G. Chaste or modest. See Sophronitella. - 28, 397

sophronia - DGN.G. Chaste or modest. See Sophronitella, Sophronitis 28, 397

sophronitella - DGN. G. Sophronitella is the diminutive of Sophronitis, a related genus of South American orchids. Sophronitis is derived from sophronia chaste or modest, an allusion to the small, relatively inconspicuous habit. - 28, 397, 398

sophronitis - DGN. G. Diminutive of Sophronia another genus of South American orchids. The Greek word Sophronia means modest and is applicable to S. cernua but scarcely to S. coccinea - 28, 398

sopubia - MGN. Probably an anagram of Bopusia, another genus. Derived from ‘sopubi swa’, the Indian vernacular name for the type species. - 1, 234; 5, pl 151; 16, 364h; 18,430

sorbus - DGN. Generic name derived from Latin sorbum the fruit of S. domestica. - 10, 299

sordida - DSN. L. Dirty in tint, dirty white. In Rhynchosis s. it possibly alludes to the flower colour. In Indigofera s., it alludes to the black hairs on the standard. - 16, 178e, 188e; 18,272

soros - G. m. Heap, mound. - 14, 279
SP

spachelata - DSN. From speklos withered as if dead. In Setaria s.alludes to the spikelets. - 16, 24f

spaklos - G. Withered as if dead. See sphacelkata - 16, 24f

span- - G. spano-. In compounds, few, scanty, scarce..- 14, 514

spano- - G. span-. In compounds, few, scanty, scarce.. - 14, 514

sparrmannia - CSN. Dr Anders Sparrman..(Not Spsrrmania). See genus Sparrmannia.- 10, 301; 12, 299; 16, 252c; 18,156

spartium - G. Slender. See genus Chordospartum. Also broom, see genus Notospartum. For genus Spartium name derived from sparton, a kind of grass for making cordage and weaving, being a reference to the reed-like stems of the single species, junceum. - 10,93,236,301

spathe –DSN. G, f. A broad flat wooden or metal blade, in modern botany a spathe. Applied to the spathe of palms by Theophrastus and Pliny. Spathoglottis - 14, 279, 514; 28, 398

spathodea - Spath-like. For genus Spathodea it refers to the calyx. - 10, 301

spathoglottis - DSN. G. From spathe spathe and glotta tongue, alluding to the unusually broad mid-lobe of the lip. - 28, 398

spathulata - DSN. L. Like a spath, spoon-shaped. [Spath—showy bract around the spadix]. See Moraea s., Sebaea s. - 1, 76; 16, 90b; 18,164,236

spatulifolia - DSN. L. Having leaves shaped like a spatula. See Gardenia s., Gardinia volkensii subsp s. - 1, 256; 16, 400c

speciosa - DSN. L. Showy, beautiful. See Cyanotis s., Bonatea s.,, Bonatea s var antennifera, Aloe s., Faurea s., Karomia s. Forma s., Harveya s., Eulophia s., Berkheya s., Senecio s. - 1,20, 86: 2.,58; 3,10; 16, 32d-e; 16,108a, 122f, 342d; 18,116,196,246,336,444

speciosum - DSN. L. Beautiful, good-looking. See Argyrolobium s. - 1, 136; 16, 184a

speciosus - DSN.L. Showy. See Bolusanthus s., Pterodiscus s., Senecio s. Calistemon s., Castalis s. - 1,134, 244, 268; 10, 64, 340; 12, 304; 16, 166a, 378c, 426e

spectabilis - DSN. L. Spectacular, showy. Very showy. See Castalis s., Accacia s., Acokanthera s., Dombeya s., Pimelea s., Malus s. - 1, 268; 10, 17, 22; 10, 22, 131, 252, 222, 340; 16, 426b

sperm - G. A seed. See gymnosperm and angiosperm. - 24,12

sperma - G. n. Seed. See genus Eriospermum, Castanospermum, Leptospermum, Delosperma, Leucospermum, Osteospermum, Lithospermum, Cardiospermum., Melanospermum, Anthospermum, Phymaspermum or species bulbispernu. - 1, 30, 56, 100, 106, 268; 3,14; 10,77,205,210; 12, 301; 14, 279; 16, 34i, 134f, 238b, 364i , 408d, 426c, 446c; 18,90,134,180,226,248,320,332,378,536,556

-sperma - G. –spermus. In compounds, -seed. - 14, 514

-spermus - G. –sperma. In compounds, -seeded. - 14, 514

sphaer –DSN. A ball or sphere. See sphaerocephala. - 18,96

sphaera – DSN.G. f. A ball, globe, sphere. See argyrosphaerum. - 1, 276; 14, 278

sphaerica - DSN.L. Spherical, globelike. See Laganeria s. - 16, 414d; 18,206

sphaero- - G. In compounds, globose, spherical. - 14, 515

sphaerocarpa - DSN. Round fruit. Ozoroa s. - 2, 248

sphaerocarpum - DSN. Round fruit. See Satyrium s. – 18,118

sphaerocephala – DSN. From sphaer, A ball or sphere or cephal, a head. Drimia s. - 18,96

sphaerocephalus - DSN. Round head. See Cyperus s. – 18,222

sphaerospermus - DSN. G. With rounded seeds. See Cyperus denudatus var. s. - 1, 16; 16, 26e; 18,504

sphedamnocarpus - DGN. G. Slingshot, catapult fruited. Or maple-fruited from the Greek name for the Olympian maple because it bears a strong resemblance of the winged samaras to those of the genus Acer to which the maples and sycamore belong. - 1, 150; 5, pl 93; 16, 210c

sphedamnos – DGN. Name of the Maple. See genus Sphedamnocarpus.- 18,276

sphen - G. Wedge. See sphenoptera. - 16, 216d

sphen- - G. spheno-.In compounds, wedge-. - 14, 515

sphendamnos - G. Slingshot or catapult, or alternatively the Greek name for the Olympian maple. See Sphedamnocarpus. - 1, 150; 16, 210c

sphenoptera - DSN. G. From sphen, wedge and pteros, winged. See Polygala s. - 16, 216d

sphenostylis - DSN. G. A wedge-shaped style. See genus Sphenostylis. - 1, 128, 136; 16,184f,200h; 18,152,396

sphyrarhynchus - DSN. G. From sphyra hammer and rhynchos beak, in allusion to the hammer-like dilation of the rostellum. - 28,399

spictata - DSN. With spikes. See Cussonia s., Aloe s., Indigofera s. - 3, 213; 18,228,390

spictatus - DSN. Spike-like. See Plectranthus s. - 16, 358c; 18,476

spilos – DSN. Spot or blemish. See genus Spilanthes, Aspilia.- 18,218,318

spinosa - DSN. L. Spiny. Adenia s., Stychons s., Oncoba s. - 1, 180, 196; 16, 264d, 270c, 298g

spinosus - DSN. Thorny. Aspalathus s.- 12, 304; 13, 1223; 18,262

spira - G. f. Anything twisted, wound, coiled. - 14, 279

spiraea - MGN. The name comes from speiraia, an Ancient Greek word for a plant used for garlands. - 10,302

spiralepis - DSN. Coiled scales. See Helichrysums. – 18,214

spirostachys - DSN. Spiral flower, that is flowers arranged in a spiral. - 2, 230

spissifolium - DSN. Sticky leaves. See Leucadendron s. – 18,248

splendens - DSN. Splendid, shining. See Euphorbia s., Gnidia s. - 10, 154, 340; 18,294

splendidum - DSN. Splendid, shining. In Helichrysum s. it refers to the handsome grey foliage and bright yellow flower-bracts.. - 16, 442c; 18,316

spod- - G. spodo-. In compounds, ash-grey. - 14, 516

spodo- - G. spod-. In compounds, ash-grey. - 14, 516

spora - G. f. Seed, in modern botany a spore. See genus Hymenosporum, Pittosporum, Tinospora, Rhynchospora.- 2, 112; 4, 111; 10, 186; 10, 253; 12, 301; 14, 279; 16, 158f; 18,52,568

sporia – DSN. Seed. See genus Gymnosporia.- 18,154

sporobolus - Sporos a seed and ballien to throw. In S. panicoides it refers to the pericarp which usually swells when wet, thus helping to eject the seed. - 16, 22c
SQ

squama - Scale. Squamatus, furnished with scales; squamella or squamellula a little scale (in Gramineae), subdivision of papus (in compositae); squamiformis, shaped like a scale; saqumosus,scaly, covered with coarse scales; squamula, lodicule in grasses, small lobe in thallus in lichens; squamulosus minutely scaly, covered with small scales. - 14, 517