Botanic Scientific Terms

syrinx - G. f. Pipe. - 14, 280

sys- DSN. Pig. See genus Sisyranthus.- 18,552

syzygium - DGN. G. ‘Yoked-together’, or paired. In Syzygium refers to to the paired leaves and branches. Reference 4 looked it up in Funk & Wagnalls, who stated syzygy is the point of conjunction of two heavenly bodies. – 1,186; 2, 372; 4, 139; 11, 136; 16, 278a.b

syzygy - G. A pair. - 1, 186

T

TA

tabermaemontana - CGN. Named after a 6th-century physician and herbalist, J T Bergzabern whose latinised name was Tabernaemontanus. - 1, 204; 3, 215; 16, 306a, 308d

tacazzea - MGN. An ancient common name used in Ethiopia for this plant.- 16, 310e; 18,542

taeni- - G. taenio-. In compounds, band-like, strap-shaped. - 14, 526

taenia - L. A band, head-band, ribbon. See Stegnanotaenia. - 1, 190; 14, 280; 16, 286a

taenio- - G. taeni-. In compounds, band-like, strap-shaped. - 14, 526

tagetes - MGN. Named after the mythical Tages, grandson of Jupiter, who taught the art of ploughing to the Etrurians - 12, 297; 13, 1218; 18,318

tainia - DSN. G. From tainia fillet. In Tainia possibly referring to the long narrow leaf with its long petiole, or to the elevated keels on the lip. - 28, 404

talbotia – CSN. Named after Patrick Talbot, mycologist from Natal. See genus Talbotia.- 18,108

talbotia - CSN. H Fox Talbot. - 1, 68; 16, 78d

talinum - MGN. Derivation obscure, suggested it might be derived from the Senegalese vernacular name, talinum, for certain species. - 1, 108; 5, pl 64; 16, 134h-I; 18,250,382

tamarindus - MGN. From the Arabic name tamr-i-hind. - 4, 140

tamarisk - G. The Greek name for tamarisk is myrike. See also Myrica. - 16, 122a

tamarix - GSN. The river Tamar in Spain. For genus Tamarix a very old Latin name. - 10, 313; 12,301; 13,1221

tamoides – DGN. Like Tamus communis, an European climber. The leaves of Senecio t. are similar to Tamus communis. - 5, pl 193; 18,328

tanganyicensis - GSN. L. From Tanganyika (Tanzania). See Albizia t. - 1, 134; 16, 166d

tapeinos - G. Humble. See Tapinanthus. - 1, 102; 16, 126b-f; 18,132,248

tapinanthus - DSN. G. From tapienos, humble and anthos, flower; an allusion to the size of the flowers. - 1,102; 16, 126b-f

tapiphyllum - DSN. G. Having a hairy covered leaf. - 16, 402f

tapscottii - CSN. Sydney Tapscott. See Orbea t. - 1, 216; 16, 322d

tarachodes - DSN. Trouble, disorder, refers to the confusion over the identity of this species. See Selago t. – 18,196

tarassein – DSN. To confuse, alter. See genus Taraxacum.- 18,338

tarphos – DSN. A Thicket. Stachytarpheta – 18,470

tarsodes – DSN. Mat forming. See Craterocapsa t. - 16, 418f; 18,494

tavaresia - CSN. José Tavares de Mecedo. - 1, 216; 16, 322a

taxodium - DGN. From taxus, a yew and cidos, resembling; hence like a Yew. - 4, 141

taxis - G. f. Arrangement, order, regularity. - 14, 280

taxos - G. Yew. See genus Taxodium . - 10, 314; 10, 314

taxus - For genus Taxus the ancient Latin name for the yew. - 4, 141, 142; 10, 314
TE

tecoma - MGN. (1). This is a contraction of its Mexican native name Tecomaxochitl. Closely related to Tecomaria. (2). Aztec name for a plant Tecomaxochitl, a sacred shrub - 1, 240; 10,315; 11, 168; 16,376g; 18,76

tecomaria - DGN. From Tecoma, a genus it closely resembles. - 1, 240; 16, 376g

tectorum - DSN. Of the roofs. - 13, 1222

teedia - CSN. Johannes Georg Teede. - 16, 372d

teina – DSN. To stretch. Tenaris – 18,418,554

teino - DSN. Stretched. See Tinospora. - 18,52

telipogon - DSN. G. From telos end and pogon beard, descriptive of the hairy apex of the column. See Telipogon. - 28, 405

telipos - G. End. See Telipogon. - 28, 405

telma - G. n. Standing water, pond, marsh, swamp. See telmatiaeos. - 14, 280

telmat- - G. In compounds, referring to wet meadows or pools.. - 14, 527

telmatiaeos - G. Of a marsh from, telma, marsh. - 14, 280

telopas - Distance. See genus Telopea . - 10, 316

telopea - DSN. From telopas, distance being a reference to the great distance from which a bright crimson flower can be seen. - 10, 316

templetonia - CSN. John Templeton. - 10, 318

tenaris - DSN. G. From Tenio, to stretch, alluding to the corolla lobes. - 16, 330f

tenella – DSN. Dainty, very soft, tender. See Urginea t., Oldenlandia t., Eulophia t. - 18,94,202,574

tenio - G. To stretch. See Tenaris. - 16, 330f

tenrhynea – CSN. Named after William ten Rhyne, Dutch physician with East India Co. who collected plants in the Cape on his way to Java. See genus Tenrhynea.- 18,212

tenui – DSN. Thin or fine, slender. See tenuifolium., Brachystelma t. - 1, 32; 18,584

tenui- - L. In compounds, slender, thin. - 14, 527

tenuifolium - DSN. L. Slender-leaved, See Ornithogalum t. - 1, 32; 16, 34c; 18,98

tenuiloba – DSN. Narrow lobes. See Ursinia t. – 18,332

tenuior - DSN. Very thin, refers to slender branches. See Aloe t. – 18,230

tenuispina - DSN. L. With slender spines. See Maytenus t. - 16, 236d

tephro- - G. In compounds, grey-, ash-grey. - 14, 528

tephros - G. Ashen. See Tephrosia. - !, 124; 16, 182h; 18,58,392

tephrosia - DSN. G. From tephros, ashen an allusion to the grey-green leaves of many species. - 1,124,132, 140; 16, 168b, 182h, 186h, 198c, 202e; 18,58

-ter - -tes, -tis, -tor, -tria. Usually indicates an agent or means; verb base. - 14, 307

teretifolium - DSN. Smooth, rounded off, elegant leaves. Helichrysum t. – 18,214

terminalia - DSN. L. Terminal, because the leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches. - 1,184; 16,276e,f

termitaria - DSN. L. Growing on termite mounds. See Cadaba t. - 1, 114; 16, 144g

ternata - DSN. In threes. See Choisya t. In Sida t. it refers to the three-lobed leaves. - 10, 93, 340; 16,256a

ternatum - DSN. L. In threes. In Clerodendrum t.var t, it refers to the leaves being in clusters of three. - 16, 340c

ternifolius - DSN. Three-leaved. - 10, 340

ternstroemia - CSN. Christopher Ternstroem.. - 10, 318

terrestris - DSN. Ground dwelling. See Tribulus t. – 18,276

-tes - See -ter

testaceus - DSN. Tile-coloured. Terracotta. - 13, 1223

tetensis - GSN. L From Tete, Mozambique. See Plectranthus t. - 16, 356a; 18,476

tetra - G. Four. See Tetraselago, Tetradenia. - 1, 240; 16,376d; 18,472,480

tetra- - G. In compounds, four-, 4-. - 14, 528

tetradenia - DSN. G. Having four glands. - 16, 350c, 360e

tetragona - DSN. Four angled. In Cassine t. refers to the twigs. - 2, 276

tetraptera - DSN. Four-winged. See Sophora t. In Oenothera t. alluding to the four angles to the capsule. - 10,299, 340; 16, 280d; 18,160

tetraquetra - DSN. L. Four-angled. In Fadogia q. var q.,and Fadogia q. var grandiflora it refers to the stem. - 16,402c,d

tetraselago - DGN G. From tetra, four and Selago. - 1, 240; 16, 376d

tettenis - GSN. L. From Tete in Mozambique. See Holmskioldia t. – 1, 226

teucrifolia – DGN. Leaves like Teucrium. See Hemizygia t. – 18,426

teuknion – DGN. Named after the germander plant. See genus Teucrium.- 18,180

textilis – DSN. Woven. See Cyperus t. – 18,504
TH

thalassa - G. f. Sea. - 14, 280

thallos - G. m. (1). Branch, in modern botany, thallus. (2). Short, branch. See Pleurothallis. - 14,280; 28,373

thamnos - G. m. A bush, shrub. See genus Sesamothamnus, Calosthamnus, Pygmaeothamnus, Myrothamnus.- 1, 244; 10, 66; 14,280; 18,556,576

thapsus - GSN. L. Town in N. Africa. Verbascum t. - 13, 1221

theca - L. A case. See genus Anomatheca, Xylotheca. - 1, 74; 3, 62; 14, 529; 16, 90a-b, 264h

-theca - G. In compounds, -cover, -case, -container. - 14, 529

thece - G. f. Case, chest, container. - 14, 280

theke - G. A case or capsule, fruit. See Arctotheca, Ceratotheca., Dimorphotheca. - 3, 145; 16, 454d; 18,332,434,446

thele - G. f. Teat, nipple. - 14, 280

thele- - G. In compounds, nipple-. - 14, 529

thely- - G. In compounds, female. - 14, 529

thelys - G. Female. - 14, 280

themeda - MGN. Arabic name. Themeda. - 1, 14; 16, 24c

theobroma - DSN. Food for the Gods. Broma, food in Greek. - 4, 145; 14, 272

thera – DSN. Imbibing. See genus Oenothera.- 18,160,294,410

thesium – L. From the Latin for Toad Flax. See genus Thesium.- 18,134,250

thilachium - DSN. G. A bag or pouch. In T. africanum it refers to the shape of the fruit. - 16, 148a.

thodei - CSN. H Justus Thode. See Vernonia t., Kniphofia t., Disa t.,Peucedanum t., Holothrix t. - 16,434g; 18,30,120,296,498,516

thomsonii - CSN. J Thomson. See Moraea t. - 1, 72; 16, 90c

thorncroftia - CSN. George Thorncroft. - 1, 230; 16, 348d, 352f

thorncroftii - CSN. George Thorncroft. See Cyperus t. - 1, 16; 16, 26d

thrix - G. f. A hair - [trich]. See genus Athrixia, Calythrix, Trichoneurea, Holothrix or species leucothrix, pycnothrix, trichoglottis.- 1,12,14,88; 10,67; 14,280; 16,100e; 18,216,240,362,442,516; 28,407

-thrix- - G. In compounds, hair. See pycnothrix, leucothrix. - 14, 530; 16, 24e, 24h

thrupto - To break or crush. See genus Thryptomene . - 10, 319

thryptomene - DGN. From thrupto, to break or crush, referring to the inferiority of the first species discovered. - 10, 319

thudichumii - CSN. Mr Thudichum. - 12, 303

thuja - MGN. The name is said to come from the Old Greek word, thuia used by Thoephrastus for this genus. - 10, 319

thujopsis – DGN. From thuja, q.v. and opsis, resemblance. For genus Thojopsis this genus with a single species resembles Thuja. - 10,321

thunbergia - CSN. Carl Peter Thunberg. - 1, 254; 3, 150; 5, pl 171; 12, 299; 16, 392a-c; 18,76,306,488

thunbergiana - CSN. Carl Peter Thunberg. See Nymphoides t. - 16, 300I

thunbergianum - CSN. Carl Peter Thunberg. SeeGalium t. var t. - 16, 404e

thunbergii - CSN. Carl Peter Thunberg. See Potamogeton t., Linum t. - 3, 2; 13, 1222; 16, 208b; 18,276,502

thunia - CSN. Count von Thun Hohenstein of Tetschin. - 28, 406

thyrse – DSN. Thyrsus. Mixed interflorescense. See thyrsiflora. - 2, 380; 14, 530

thyrsiflora - DSN. Bunchlike inflorescence. See Kalanchoe t., Cussonia t. – 1,118; 2,380; 16,152a; 18,254

thyrsoidea - DSN. Like a thyrse, the term for a compact inflorescence which is thick in the middle and tapers at each end. Selago t - 5, pl 154

thyrsus - Thyrse, i. e. a more or less ovoid or ellipsoid panicle, with cymos branches. - 14, 530
TI

tibouchina - MGN.This is the native name in Guiana for this genus.. - 10, 321

tieghemia - CSN. Phillipe E L van Tieghem. - 16, 126a; 18,50

tigna - MSN. Origin unknown. See Vernonia t. - 16, 456d

tigridia - DGN. From tigris, a tiger. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

tigris – DGN. A tiger. See genus Tigridia. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

tilia - MGN. Name from ancient Latin for the Lime Tree. - 10, 322

tinctorius - DSN. For dyeing. - 13, 1223

tingitanus - GSN. Tingi, now Tangiers. - 12, 302

tinnea - DGN. Commemorates a scientific expidition on the Nile in 1861 by three Dutch women , Henrietta Tinne, her daughter and sister, during which Tinnea seeds were collected. - 1, 232; 16, 350d, 358g ; 18,70

tinneana - CSN. A Tinné collected plants in Sudan. - 5, pl 20

tinospora - DSN. From teino, to stretch and spora, seed, referring to the elongated seed. - 18,52

tithonia - MGN. From Tithonis, another name for Aurora, goddess of dawn. - 18,82,318

-tis - See ter
TO

tomentella - DSN. L. With woolly hairs. See Stephania abyssinica var t. - 16, 136i

tomentosa - DSN. Hairy. Densely woolly or velvety with matted hairs, with a dense woolly covering. In Bauhenia t. refers to a hairy pod. See Capparis t., Pachycarpus grandiflorus var t. - 2, 106, 150; 16, 146f, 174a, 328c

tomentosum – DSN. Densely covered with short hair. See Argyrolobium t.- 18,268

tomentosus - DSN. Felt-like. Hairy. See Plectranthus hadiensis var t., Gerrardanthus t. - 10, 340; 12,304; 13,1223, 16, 354c; 18,558

tomos - G. m. Slice, piece. See genus Acrotome, Anisotoma.- 14, 280; 18,180,582

tomsonii - CSN. J Tomson. See Moraea t. - 1, 72

tongaense – GSN. Refers to Tongoland/Maputoland and N E Kwa-Zulu Natal. For Pelargonium t. this is where it was discovered. - 18,62

-tor - See -ter.

torti- - L. In compounds,twisted. - 14, 531

tortilis - DSN. L. Twisted. In Acacia t. refers to the pod. See Acacia t. - 1, 144; 2, 140

torulosa - DSN. L. Tufted or cylindrical with contractions at intervals, See Riocreuxia t., Cissampelos t. - 1, 214; 3, 122; 16, 136h, 320I; 18,176,252

totta - DSN. In Rhynchosis t. var. t. the precise meaning unknown but possibly referring to the Hottentot, implying that it is native to the Cape. - 16, 179 f, 192e, 202f

toveolatus - DSN. Small pits. - 2, page ?

toxicodendron - DSN. Poison tree. Now Rhus. - 4, 126
TR

-tra - See -tros.

trabeculatus – DSN. Little beams, refers to very prominent veins beneath leaves. See Streptocarpus t. – 18,486

trachy – DSN. Rough. See Trachyandra. - 18,86

trachyandra - DSN. G. From trachys, rough and andros, male. - 1, 28; 16. 50f, 56i; 18,86

trachys - G. Rough, shaggy. See genus Trachyandra. - 1, 28; 14, 280; 16. 50f

tradescantia - CSN. John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I. in the 1600s. See genus Tradescantia.- 12,300; 13, 1219; 18,340

tradescantioides - DGN. Resembles habit of Tradescantia. See Delosperma t. – 18,136

tragia - CGN. Tragus the latinised name given to the 16^th century German Hieronymus J.Bock (= a goat), from tragos a goat. - 16, 224a,b; 18,530

tragos - G. m. He-goat. See Tragia, Tragopogon.- 14, 280; 16, 224; 18,338,530

trans- - Beyond, through, across. Transalpinus, beyond the Alps. - 14, 304

transvaalense - MSN. L. Pertaining to the Transvaal. See Gasteria t., Argyrolobium t., Anthericum t. Dolichos trilobus subsp t., Pelargonium t. Melanospermum t, Harpagophytum procumbens subsp t. - 1, 36, 124; 16, 52d, 186b, 192a, 204k, 364i, 380a

transvaalensis - GSN. L. Of the Transvaal. See Disa patula t., Knowltonia t., Erythrophysa t., Hermannia t., Huernia t., Pachycarpus t., Polycarena t., Barleria t., Lightfootia denticulata var, t., Cussonia t., Pimpernella t., Chironia palustris subsp t., Hemizygia t.,Cyphia t. - 1, 36, 82, 92, 112, 162, 174, 208, 210, 234, 252, 264; 12, 302; 16,104f;114a,140a,238c, 262f, 284, 288c, 300f, 314f, 316h, 360a,b, 390c, 420c, 422c

trapinanthus – DSN. From trapinos, humble, and anthos, flower. In Trapinanthus it refers to the size of the flowers. - 18,48

trapinos – DSN. Humble. See Trapinanthus. - 18,48

trauseldii – CSN. Named after William Trauseld. See Selago t. – 18,430

trema - G. n. Aperture, opening. - 14, 280

tremula - DSN. Trembling. See Ficus t. - 2, 80

tri - DSN. Three. See genus Tribulus, Trifolium,Tristachya, Themeda, Tridactyle. - 1,12,14; 14532; 16,24c;18,128,246,276,388,522; 28, 409

-tria - See -ter.

triandra - DSN. From tri, three, and andros, male; having three stamens. - 1, 14

triangularis – DSN.Three-sided. In Kniphofia t. it refers to the fruit. - 18,30

triaspis - DSN. G. With three shields, alluding to the shield-shaped wings on the carpels. - 16,216a

tribulus - DSN. Three spikes. The generic name refers to the caltrops, iron balls with four spikes which always had one point upwards when lying on the ground, and used against cavalry. In the two species of this genus, T. zepheri and T. terrestis, the fruit have many spikes, four of which are robust, and behave like the caltrops. - 5, pl 90, 91

tricalysia - DSN. G. Having three calyces, alluding to the true and often double epicalyx. - 16,402g

trich- - G. tricho-. In compounds, hairy or hair-like. - 14, 280, 533

trichadenia - DSN. G. Hairy- glanded. See Eulophia t., Euphorbia t. - 1, 15; 16, 228c

trichadenia – DSN. Hairy glanded, refers only to Angolan specimens. See Euphorbia t. – 18,534

trichilia - DGN. G. Three-parts. From tri, referring to the three-lobed boxlike fruit. Referring to the usually three-celled ovary and capsules. - 11, 90; 16, 214b

trichion - G. n. Small hair. - 14, 280

tricho - G. Hair. See Trichocentrum, Trichopilia. - 28, 406, 408

tricho - In three parts. See Trichocladus. - 2, 114

trichocarpum - DSN. Bristly or hairy fruit of Ormocarpum t. - 2, 168

trichocentrum - DSN. G. From tricho, hair and kentron spur, alluding to the very slender and long spur characteristic of the flowers of many species in this genus. - 28, 406

trichocladus - DSN. G. From tricho, hair, and kaldon, a branch, alluding to the hairy branchlets. 16,158c

trichodesma - DSN. G. Hairy bands. Bound by hairs, and refers to the hairs which unite the stamens. - 1,224; 5,pl 139

trichoglottis - DSN. G. From tricho, hair and glotta tongue, referring to the often ligulate process in the throat of the lip. - 28, 407

trichoneurea - DSN. From tricho, hair and neuron, a nerve an allusion to the chiliate side-nerves of the lemma. - 1, 12

trichopilia - DSN. G. From tricho hair and pilos felt, alluding to the ciliate or fimbriate margins of the clinandrium. - 28, 408

trichopoda - GSN. Of Ficus t., the tree having the same geographic distribution as the hippo. - 2,72

trichorhizum – DSN. Hairy roots. See Dierama t. – 18,456

trichos - G. A hair. See Trichocladus, Trichodesma. - 16, 158c; 18,178,468

trichostomus – DSN. Hairy mouth, refers to flower tube. See Sisyranthus t. – 18,552

trichotomum - DSN. Finely divided like hairs. - 10, 340

tricliceras - DSN. G. Three-chambered. Describes pod-shapes cylindrical capsule as 3-locular (compartment or cell of an ovary). - 1, 178; 16, 266g; 18,66

tricodesma - DSN. G. Having hairy bands. - 16, 338a

tricuspidatus - DSN. With three points. - 10, 340

tricuspis - DSN. With three sharp points. See Tridactyle t. – 18,128