GLOSSARY OF LATIN SPECIFIC TERMS 



The scientific name of a plant consists of two Latin 

 words. The first names the genus and is a noun ; tlie 

 second which indicates the species is an adjective. If 

 there is a second adjective it indicates a variety. 



The names of the genera often emphasize a charac- 

 ter belonging to the entire plant-group, arc frequently 

 ancient, sometimes fanciful, and now and then immor- 

 talize a man's name. 



The specific terms are intended to point out some 

 distinctive peculiarity of the plant. These are all in 

 Latin form ; in the main they consist of correct or cor- 

 rupted Latin adjectives, Greek derivatives, and Latin- 

 ized proper names. The endings of course vary with 

 the gender of the generic noun. If a surname is used 

 to designate a species it is usually put into the geni- 

 tive case. 



acerifolium — maple-leaved, alternifolia — alternate-leaved, 



acuminate — pointed. americanus-a-um — American, 



adenophylla — furry-leaved. amomum — referring to the acrid 



adpressed — pressed together. seeds of the plant. A name of 



alba — white. an East Indian genus, 



allegheniensis — growing in the Al- amygdalus — almond. 



leghanies. angustifolia — narrow-leaved, 



alnifolia-um — alder-leaved. apiifolia — celery-leaved, 



alnobetula— alder-birch. aquifolium— holly-leaved, 



alpina— alpine. arborescens— tree-like. 



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