Botanic Scientific Terms

tridactyle - DSN. G. From tri three or thrice and daktylos finger, descriptive of the 3-lobed lip. - 28, 409

tridentata - DSN. L. Having three teeth. See Merremia t., Rhoicissus t. subsp cuneifolia.-1, 222; 16,244b

tridentata - DSN. L. With three teeth. See Merremia t. subsp angustifolia var angustifolia., Tridactyle t. - 16,334h, 336a; 18,302,522

trifida - DSN. Refers to 3 lobed inner tepals. See Moraea t. – 18,236

trifolia - DSN. With leaves in threes. See Lantana t. - 5, pl 138

trifoliata – DSN. Three leaves or leaflets. See Derris t. – 18,396

triloba - DSN. L. Three-lobed. For Ceratotheca t. having three-lobed leaves. See Basananthe t.- 1,180,244; 3, 145; 5, pl 160; 16, 270d, 378a, 380d; 18,434

trilobus - DSN. L. Three-lobed. In Dolichos t subsp transvawlensis it refers to the leaflets. - 16,192a

trimestris - DSN. Every three months. - 12, 304; 13, 1223

trinerve - DSN. L. Three-veined from base of leaf. See Satyrium t. - 16, 98g; 18,118

trionum - DSN. Flower of an hour. See Hibiscus t. – 18,286

tripetaloides - DSN. Three-petalled. See Disa t. – 18,120

triphyllum - DSN. G. Three-leaved. See Clerodendrum t., Clerodendrum t. var t. - 1, 226; 16,342a,344b,c; 18,470

triplinervis – DSN. Three-nerves. See Gnidia t. – 18,294

tristachya - DGN. From tri, three and stachy, an ear of corn. - 1, 12; 16, 24h

tristania - CSN. Jules M C Tristan. - 4, 150; 10, 323

tristis – DSN. Sad, dull coloured. Indigofera t. - 18,58,390

tristoides - DSN. L. Sad, sombre, (carrying sadness). In Indigofera t. it possibly alludes to the black hairs on the standard. - 16, 188c,d

triton - G. A vane or weathercock. Refers to the variable direction of stamens of different species. See genus Tritonia. - 1,78; 3,56; 16,90g; 18,42,238

tritonia - DSN. G. From triton, a vane or weathercock. In Tritonia it refers to the variable direction of the stamens in the various species. - 1, 78; 3, 56; 16, 90g; 18,42

triumfetta - MGN. L. The name given to a genus of herbs and shrubs, clothed with stellate (starry) hairs and bearing yellow flowers with numerous stamens. Or CSN. Named after G.B. Trionfetti, Italian botanist.- 1,168; 16, 250c; 18,282

trocho- - G. In compounds, wheel-like. - 14, 533

trochomeria - DSN. G. From trochos, a wheel and meris, a part. - 1, 262; 16, 412d; 18,80

trochos - G. m. A wheel. See Trochomeria. - 1, 262; 14, 280; 16, 412d; 18,80,206,558

trollius - DSN. Troll. Giant or dwarf from Germanic myths. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

-tron - See -tros.

tropanion – DSN. A trophy. See genus Tropoeolum. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

trope - G. Turning. See genus Heliotropium. - 1, 224; 10, 179; 16, 338c

trophe - G. Food. See Jatropha. - 16, 220c; 18,276

trophos – DSN. One who feeds. See genus Psammotropha.- 18,528

tropica - DSN. L. Of the tropics, See Freylinia t. - 16, 374a,b

tropis - G. f. Keel of ship. - 14, 280

tropoeolum - DSN. From tropanion, a trophy, referring to the resemblance of the flower and leaf to a helmet and shield, the ancient symbol of victory. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

tropos – DSN. Turn. See genus Heliotropium.- 18,178,422

-tros - -trus, tra, -tron, -trum.Indicates a tool or means of doing something; verb or noun base.

-trum - See -tros.

-trus - See -tros.
TS

tsuga - MGN. An old Japanese name for Hemlock. - 4, 151

TU

tuberculata - DSN. L. With wart-like growths. See Eulophia t. - 16, 96b

tuberosum - DSN. L. Tuberous. See Argyrolobium t. - 16, 188b, 202g; 18,268

tubulosa - DSN. L. Hollow cylinder or tube. In Rhamphicarpa t. it describes the tubular shape of the flowers, Stachys t. - 1, 236; 5, pl 150; 18,424

tubulosum - DSN. L. Tubular. See Cycinum t.subsp t. - 16, 366f

tuckii - CSN. William Tuck. See Cyrtanthus t. - 1, 50; 16, 76g; 18,40

tugelensis – GSN. Named after the Tugela river valley in KZN where it was first collected. See Fockea t. – 18,554

tulbaghia - CSN. Ryk Tulbagh, Governor at the Cape, who sent specimens to Linnaeus - 1, 22, 32; 3, 23; 16, 52g-j; 18,92,344

tulipa - DGN. Turkish. - 12, 301; 13, 1220

tulipifera - DSN. Bearing tulips. In Liriodendron t. it refers to the flowers. - 4, 85

turbina - DSN. L. Cone-shaped, alluding to the flowering buds. - 1, 222; 5, pl 135; 16, 334i,j, 336e

turbinatus - Turbinate, i.e. top-shaped or obconical. - 14, 535

turraea - CSN. Giorgia della Turre. See genus Turraea. - 16, 212d; 18,154
TW

tweedia - CSN. J Tweedie. - 10, 324
TY

tylo- - . In compounds, with knobs, lumps or projections. - 14, 535

tylophora - DGN. G. From tylos, a knob or callus and phoruos or phoros,bearing. - 1, 208; 16, 312g

tylon - G. A hump. See Notylia - 28, 318

tylos - G. m. Callus, lump, swelling, knob. See Tylosema, Tylophora., Macrotyloma. - 1, 138, 208; 14,280; 16, 172d, 184g, 312g; 18,152,256,274,588

tylosema - DSN. G. From tylos, swelling and sema, mark. Knob standard, referring to the upper petals. The upper petal is small and has two swellings at the base. Or alluding to the seeds. - 1, 138; 5, pl 79; 16,172d

typha - DGN. G. From typhos, marsh. - 3, 5

typhoides – DGN. Inflorescence resembles a bulrush. See Kniphofia t. – 18,572

typhos - G. Marsh. See genus Typha. - 3, 5; 18,560

typos - G. m. Blow, impression, print, replica, pattern, model, etc. Hence, in modern botany, type. - 14,280

tysoniana - CSN. William Tyson. See Bersama t. - 16, 214c

tysonianum – CSN. Named after William Tyson. See Xysmalobium t. – 18,300

tysonii – CSN. Named after William Tyson. See Disa t., Euryops t., Dierama t., Disperis t., Scabiosa t.,

Cyphia t., Habenaria t., Neobolusia t.- 18,122,330,356,370,438,438,518,518

U

UB

ubomboense – GSN. Named after the Lebombo mountains, KZN. See Pachycymbium u. – 18,586
UG

-ugo Indicates a substance or property, noun or adjective base. Lanugo, down, from lana, wool. - 14,306
UL

-ula - See –ullus.

-ulentus - -a, -um; -olentus.Indicates abundance or full or marked development, noun base. Succulentus, full of juice, succus or sucus; succulent. - 14, 309

uliginosus - DSN. From marshy places. - 10, 340

-ullus - -ula, -ulum. Diminutive, noun base of first or second declension nouns. Capsulla, a small box, capsa. - 14. 306

ulmifolia – DGN. Leaves like an elm tree. See Conyza u. – 16,432d; 18,310

ulmoides – DGN. Elm-like. - 2, 214

ulmus - For genus Ulmus, an ancient Latin name for the Elm Tree. See ulmifolia. - 10, 324; 16,432d

-ulum - See –ullus.

-ulus - -a, -um. (1) Diminutive, adjectival base. Hispidulus, minutely hispid, hispidus (bristly). (2) Indicates a tendency or action, verb base. Pendulus, hanging down from suspend, pendere.- 14, 309

ulvifolia - DSN. L. With leaves submerged in water. See Otellia u.- 16, 28a
UM

-um - See –ulus, -utus, -uus.

umbellata – DSN. Flowerheads in flat topped inflorescence. See Berkheya u. – 18,336

umbraculigerum - DSN. L. Bearing woolly umbrellas. See Helichrysum u. - 16, 440g; 18,316

umbraticola - DSN. L. Growing in the protection of other plants, liking shade. See Adromischus u subsp. u., Crassula u. - 16, 158b; 18,148

umtamvunense - GSN. Named after the Umtamvuna River Gorge. See Eriosema u. – 18,274
UN

uncinata - DSN. L. Hooked at the point or tip. In Polygala u. it refers to the leaves. - 1, 152; 16,218a,b

uncinatum - DSN. L. Hooked at the point, mostly of thorns or fruit. See Chamaelaucium u. - 14,91, 340

uncinatus - DSN. L. Hooked at the end. In Lablab purpureus subsp u. it refers to the keel, the stamens and the style. - 16, 202k

unda - L. A wave. See undulata. - 1, 108

undata - DSN. Undulate. In Maytenus u. refers to the wavy margins. - 2, 270; 16, 236e

undatum - DSN. L. Undulate, wavy. See Xysmalobium u. - 1, 220

undulata - DSN. L. Wavy, from unda, a wave. See Wahlenbergia u. In Silene u it refers to the leaf margin. In Brunsvigia u. it refers to the wavy margins. - 1, 108, 264; 16, 136c, 418a,b,420a,b; 18,38,138

undulatum – DSN. L. Undulate, wavy. See Xysmalobium u. - 1, 220; 16, 326d; 18,544

undulatus - DSN. Wavy. - 10, 340

unguiculata - DSN. L. Clawed. In Vigna u. subsp dekindtiana it alludes to the long claws on the floral parts, Vigna u. - 16, 192b; 18,464

uni- - In compounds, one-.. - 14, 537

unibracteata - DSN. Single bract, refers to solitary sheathing bract on flowering stem. See Moraea u. – 18,236

unicinatum - . Hooked at the tip; mostly of thorns or fruit. - 10,340

unicinulata - . L. Hooked at the end. See Cyathula c. - 16,300e-f

unidentata – DSN. One tooth. See Monopsis u. – 18,588

uniflora - DSN. One flower. See Gymnosporia u. – 18,154

uniflorus - DSN. Single-flowered. - 10,340
UP

uperikon - Old Greek name for St John’s Wort. See Genus Hypericum. - 10, 186

UR

ura - G. f. Tail. - 14, 280

-ura - Indicates the result of an action, verb base. Incisura, incision, from incidere, to cut into. - 14, 306

urelytrum - DGN. From G. oura, tail and elytron, cover, scale or husk; because the lower glume of the spikelet is drawn out into a long awn. - 1, 14; 16, 24g

urens - DSN. Stinging, scorching. See Pavonia u., Urtica u. - 5, pl 102, 18,524

urere – DSN. To sting. See genus Urtica.- 18,524

urginea - GSN. From the name of an Arab tribe in Algeria, the Ben Urgin . - 1, 30; 16, 56c-e; 18,94,510

uro- - G. urus-. In compounds, tail-, tailed, i.e. with an elongated tail-like appendage. - 14, 538

ursinia – CSN. Named after J. Ursinus, author of Arboretum Biblicum. See genus Ursinia.- 18,332

urtica – DSN. Nettle. See urticifolia - 16, 352e

urticifolia - DGN. With leaves like Urtica, a genus that contains the nettles. In Pycnostachys u. it must refer to the leaf shape since it has no hairs, Stachytarpheta u. - 5, pl 144; 16, 352e; 18,470

urticifolius - DGN. With leaves like stinging-nettle. -10, 340
UT

utilis - DSN. Useful. - 13, 1223

utricularia - DGN. L. From utriculus, a small bottle, possibly to the insect trapping bladders borne on the leaves and runners of these aquatic and terrestrial herbs. - 1, 248; 3, 148; 16,386a-c

utricullus – DSN. Little leather bottle. Refers to insect-trapping bladders on the leaves and runners. See Utricularia. - 1, 248; 3, 148; 18,198,306,486

-utus - -a, um. Indicates noun base. Cornutus, horned from horn, cornu. - 14, 309
UU

-uus -a, um. Indicates result of action, verb base, rarely noun base. Deciduus, falling off from, to fall down, decidere. - 14, 309

V

VA

vacca – DSN. L. vacca, A cow. - 26, 46

vaccinium - DSN. L. Old Latin name for Cranberry derived from , vacca, a cow because they like this plant. - 26,46

vaginata - DSN. Sheathed. See Crassula v.– 18,148,254

vainilla – DSN. Small pod. See genus Vanilla. – 18,124

validus - DSN. L. Strong, well developed. See Geigeria burkei subsp v.,Pachycarpus v. - 1, 220; 16,452b

valve – DSN. G. Segment of a capsule. See species porphyrovalve. - 1, 30; 16, 34I

vanbalenii - CSN. Named after J.C.van Balen. See Aloe v. – 18.230

vanda – GSN. From the Sanskrit word referring to the plant now kown as Vanda tessellata from Bengal and India. See Vanda. - 28, 410

vandeleurii - CSN. C. B. Vandeleur. See Streptocarpus v. - 16, 384b

vandopsis - DGN. G Named for its resemblance to the genus vanda and opsis. - 28, 412

vanilla - The Spanish vainilla small pod, a sheath, referring to the long slender vanilla pods. See Vandopsis, Vanilla – 18,124; 28,412, 413

vangueria - GSN. From the native name voa vanguer, used for one species of the genus in Madagascar. - 1, 258; 16, 406a

variabilis - DSN. Variable. Varying in form. - 10, 340; 12, 304; 13, 1223

variifolia - DSN. Leaves variable. See Jatropha v. – 18,278

varius - DSN. L. Differing, diverse. See Gladiolus v. var micranthus. - 16, 88a
VE

veitchii - CSN. Members of the English nursery firm of Veitch. - 12, 304; 13, 1222

veltheimia – CSN. Count August von Veltheim, German patron of botany. See genus Veltheimia.- 18,344

velutina - DSN. L. Velvety, densely covered with fine short, soft, erect hairs. See Raphionacme v., Podalyria v., Indigofera v. - 1, 218; 16, 310b, 324d; 18,388,390

venenata - DSN. Poisonous. - 10, 340

venenatus - DSN. Poisonous. - 13, 1223

venosum - DSN. L. Conspicuously, or prominently, veined. In Antidesma v. refers to the leaves. See Senecio v., Mystacidium v. - 2, 216; 3, 203; 16, 220a, 430c; 18,130

venosum – DSN. Poisonous. See Pachystigma v.- 18,556

venosus - DSN. L. Prominently veined. See Senecio v. - 1, 272

ventricosa - DSN. L. Having a swelling on one side. See Tabernaemontana v. - 16, 308d

vepris - DGN. L. Spiny shrub, but as the genus has no spines the meaning is not clear. - 16, 208c

verbene – DSN. Sacred boughs of olive, myrtle or laurel. See genus Verbena.- 18,470

verecunda – DSN. L. Modest or chaste. See Aloe v. - 1, 42; 16, 48c

vernalis m- DSN. Of spring. - 10, 340

vernonia - CSN. William Vernon, English botanist who collected in Maryland, USA. See genus Vernonia.- 1, 274; 3, 162; 16, 434c-h, 444b, 452c, 456d; 18,208,440,496

vernus - DSN. Of spring. See Gladiolus v. - 12, 304; 13, 1223; 16, 86c; 18,112

veronica - CGN. St. Veronica. Speedwell. - 16, 372e; 18,430

verrucosa - DSN. Warted, stems. In Putterlickia v. the stem has small lumps.Didymoplexis v. - 2,272; 18,124

verrucosum - DSN.L. Warty. See Viscum v. - 16,126k; 18,526

verruculosa - Small warty dots. - 2, page?

versicolor - DSN. L. Variously coloured or changing colour. Eulophia v., Disa v. Albizia v. - 1, 92; 5,pl.52; 12,304; 13, 1223; 16, 114a, 176d; 18,368

verticillare - DSN. Whorled. See Miraglossum v. – 18,546

verticillatus – DSN. Whorled. See Plectranthus v.- 18,188

verticullaris - DSN. L. Whorled. See Hypoestes v. - 1, 252

vestia - CSN. L C de Vest. - 10, 325

vettonica - Genus Vettonica. See betonica. - 16, 396d

vexillaris - Vexillary, i. e. in aestivation of Leguminosae, with the standard petal much larger than the others and folded around them. - 14, 544

vexillata - DSN. L. Flag or standard. Having a standard petal or vexillum (the large external petal of a papilionaceous flower), (the vane or web of a feather). See Vigna v., Vigna v. var v. - 1, 128, 16,200e, 202I; 18,398

vexillo – DSN. See vexillum. Standard petal, wing. - 14, 544

vexillum – DSN. vexillo. Standard petal, wing. A 'standard petal' is broadly obovate or almost orbicular about 3cm long 2.5 cm broad, towards the margin pale purple, towards the middle violet, in the middle itself milk white with purple spots, etc. - 14, 544, 518
VI

viburnum - GSN. An ancient Latin name for the species lantana, the Wayfaring Tree or guelder rose, a native of South England and Europe. - 10, 325

vicaria - DSN. A substitute. See Asclepias v. – 18,172

vieo – DSN. L. To plait. See genus Vitex. - 1, 224; 10, 329

vigna - CGN. Named in honour of Italian botanist Domenico Vigna. See genus Vigna. - 1, 128; 5,pl 87; 16, 192 - ,c, 200e,f, 202I; 18,274,398,464

villicaulis - DSN. G. From villus, hairy and kaulos, a stem. See Acalypha v. - 16, 224c,d; 18,64

villosa –DSN. L. Covered with soft hairs. See Holothrix v. var v., Dumasia v., Rhynchosia v. For Grewia v., shaggy, with fairly long soft hairs. Refers to hairs on ovaries and leaves of Xerophyta v. - 2, 312; 5, pl 34; 16,100e; 18,270,272

villosus – DSN. Long, soft, straight hairs; shaggy. See Calothamus v., Encephalartos v.,Melianthus v. – 10,66,340; 12,304; 13,1223; 18, 500,536

villus – DSN. G. Hairy. See villicaulis. - 16, 224c

vilmornii - CGN. Members of the French nursery firm of Vilmorin. - 13, 1222

vimin – DSN. A twig. See genus Viburnum. - 10, 328

viminale - DSN. L. With long tender shoots, like osiers (shoot of willow used in basketwork). Sarcostemma v. - 1,210; 16, 316e; 18,552

viminalis - DGN. Long flexible shoots like the Osier Willow. See Senecio v. – 10,340; 18,218

viminaria - DSN. From vimen, a twig, and it refers to the twiggy, apparently leafless branches. - 10, 328

viminea - DSN. Twig. See Lotononis v. – 18,150

vimineus - DSN. L. With long tender shoots, see viminale. See Senecio v. - 1, 270; 16,428b

vio- DSN. I bind or plait. See genus Vitex. - 10, 329; 16, 338d

virescens - DSN. L. Becoming green. See Gloriosa superba, Forma v. - 1, 26

virgata - DSN. L. Twiggy. In Polygala v. indicates long slender twigs. See also Kohautia v., Polygala v. var decora., Clutia v. - 1, 152, 256; 5, pl 95; 16, 218g, 222e,400f; 18,406

virgatum - DSN. L. Twiggy. See Gomphostigma v. - 1, 196; 16,298c; 18,164

virgatus - DSN. L. Twiggy, wand-like. Slender, rod-like. See Asparagus v., Sisyranthus v. - 1, 38; 12,304; 13,1223; 16, 58f; 18,104,552

virgilia - CGN. Commemorates the Roman poet Virgil. - 10, 329

viride - DSN. L. Green. See Dipcadi. v., Ornithoglossum v. - 1,22,32; 16,50g-g; 18,510

viridiflora - DSN. With greenish flowers. - 10, 340

viridiflorum - DSN. L. Green-flowered. See Pittosporum v. - 16, 158f

viridifolia - DSN. Leaves green on upper and under surfaces. A feature that leads to the specific name, Gerbera v., Gerbera v.subsp v., Gerbera v.subsp natalensis. - 5, pl 186; 16, 450b,c

viridis - DSN. Green. - 12, 304; 13, 1223

virosa - DSN. L. Unpleasant smell. Poisonous. In Flueggea v. and Securinega v. it refers to the upleaasant smell of the leaves. In Canavalia v. it refers to the poisonous seeds. - 1, 158; 2,210; 16, 198a, 230f; 18,396

virrucosa - DSN. Warted. In Putterlickia v. refers to stems with small hard lumps. - 2, 272.