Meaning: Named for Charles Cardale Babington, 19th centur professor of botany at Cambridge
Latin Pronunciation: bab-ing-ton-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for Charles Cardale Babington, 19th centur professor of botany at Cambridge
Latin Pronunciation: bab-ing-TON-ee-eye

Meaning: Of Babylon, Babylonian
Latin Pronunciation: bab-il-LON-ik-uh

Meaning: Named for Charles Cardale Babington, 19th centur professor of botany at Cambridge
Latin Pronunciation: bab-ing-TOH-nee-a

Latin Pronunciation: bab-il-lon-ik-us
Meaning: from (ancient) Babylon.

Meaning: Becoming berry-like
Latin Pronunciation: BAK-kanz

Meaning: With berry-like fruit
Latin Pronunciation: BAK-ah-tuh

baccate

Berry-like; pulpy throughout.

Meaning: With berry-like fruit
Latin Pronunciation: BAK-ah-tum

Latin Pronunciation: bak-kay-tus
Meaning: berried.

Meaning: Bearing berries
Latin Pronunciation: BAK-if-er

Meaning: Having foliage like Baccharis (genus name from the Greek Bakkaris - given to a plant with a fragrant root and recycled by Linnaeus)
Latin Pronunciation: bak-uh-rih-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Bearing berries
Latin Pronunciation: bak-IF-er-uh

Meaning: Bearing berries
Latin Pronunciation: bak-IF-er-um

Latin Pronunciation: bak-siff-er-us
Meaning: berry-bearing.

bacciform

Berry-shaped.

Meaning: With yellow berries
Latin Pronunciation: bak-uh-FLAY-vuh

Bacillus thuringiensis (abr. Bt)

A bacterium which is lethal to some insects and is used as a biological control.

Meaning: Named for Curt Backeberg, 20th century German expert and collector of cacti and author of Die Cactaceae, a monograph on cactus
Latin Pronunciation: bak-berg-ee-AY-nuh

bacilliform (syn. baculiform)

Rod-shaped.

backbulb

A dormant water-storing thickened stem that looks like a bulb, found in Orchidaceae. It grows actively as a pseudobulb the first year, then becomes dormant when the next year's pseudobulb takes over.

backcross (alt. back cross)

1. To cross a first-generation hybrid with one of the parental types. 2. The offspring of a cross between a hybrid and one of its parents.

Meaning: Named for Curt Backeberg, 20th century German expert and collector of cacti and author of Die Cactaceae, a monograph on cactus
Latin Pronunciation: bak-BERG-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Curt Backeberg, 20th century German expert and collector of cacti and author of Die Cactaceae, a monograph on cactus
Latin Pronunciation: bak-BERG-ee-uh

backfire

A fire purposely set ahead of an advancing fire to destroy flammable materials, enabling workers to control the main fire.

backflash

Movement of a poison through natural root grafts, from trees that have been treated with poison, back to non-treated trees.

Meaning: Named for James Backhouse, 19th century British botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bak-HOW-zee-uh

backfill

Earth used to fill trenches or holes, often the same soil that was removed to make the hole.

backshore

That part of the beach from the first crest toward the land.

Meaning: From the Sanskrit Brahmi
Latin Pronunciation: buh-KOH-puh

bactericide (alt. bactericidal)

Something, such as an herbal preparation, capable of destroying bacteria.

bacteriorhizae

Nodules on the roots of most legumes and a few other plants, which contain bacteria that uses atmospheric nitrogen to synthesize organic compounds.

bacteriophage

A virus which destroys bacteria.

Meaning: Bearing canes
Latin Pronunciation: bak-oo-LEE-fer-um

Meaning: Bearing canes
Latin Pronunciation: bak-oo-LEE-fer-uh

Meaning: Bearing canes
Latin Pronunciation: bak-oo-LEE-fer-us

badlands

Regions of eroded land on which most of the surface is covered with ridges, gullies, and deep channels, having sparse vegetation.

baculiform (syn. bacilliform)

Rod-shaped.

Meaning: Of or from Badja (also known as B?ja, Bedja, and Bajah), in Tunisia, Africa
Latin Pronunciation: ba-HEN-sis

Meaning: Named for Dr. Abraham Baeck, 18th century Swedish naturalist and physician
Latin Pronunciation: BAY-kee-uh

Meaning: From the Greek baeo (little) and metra (uterus, womb)
Latin Pronunciation: bay-OH-met-ruh

Meaning: Resembles Baeria (named for Karl Ernst von Baer, a 19th century German embryologist)
Latin Pronunciation: behr-ee-OP-sis
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bay-er-ee-OP-sis

Meaning: from the Greek baeo (little) and lepis (scale)
Latin Pronunciation: bay-ee-oh-LEP-iss

Baermann funnel

A modification of the Berlese funnel, used to force nematodes out of soil or debris by filling the funnel with warm water, driving the nematodes into a vessel below.

Meaning: Of or from Andalusia
Latin Pronunciation: BAT-ee-kum

Meaning: Of or from Andalusia
Latin Pronunciation: BAT-ee-kuh

Meaning: Of or from Andalusia
Latin Pronunciation: BAT-ee-kus

Meaning: Of or from the Baffin Island, in the Canadian Arctic, named for British explorer William Baffin
Latin Pronunciation: baf-in-EN-sis

baffle-pier

A blockage placed in the path of high-velocity water, like a pier on the apron of an overflow dam.

baffles

Vanes, guides, or other devices inside a conduit to check eddy currents below them, and provide more uniform distribution of sp.ed.

baguio

A term used in the Philippine Islands for a tropical cyclone or typhoon.

Meaning: Of or from the Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-ha-MEN-see

bagasse

Residue of sugarcane after the juice has been extracted.

Meaning: Of or from the Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-ha-MEN-sis

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Salvador), Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bah-hee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Juan Francisco Bahi, an 18th century botanical professor in Barcelona, Spain
Latin Pronunciation: bah-HEE-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Brazil), where the plant is native
Latin Pronunciation: ba-hy-AN-thus

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Salvador), Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bah-hee-AY-num

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Salvador), Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: ba-hee-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Salvador), Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bah-hee-AY-nus

Meaning: Of or from Lake Baikal, in eastern Siberia
Latin Pronunciation: by-kol-EN-sis

Meaning: Of or from Bahia (Salvador), Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: ba-hee-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Jacob Whitman Bailey, 19th century American microscopist
Latin Pronunciation: BAY-lee-uh

Meaning: Named for Frederick Manson Bailey, 19th century Australian botanist; or Frederick Marshman Bailey, 20th century explorer of Asia
Alternative Meaning:Named for Vernon Bailey, 20th century cactus collector, or Liberty Hyde Bailey, 20th century American professor of Horticulture at Cornell University
Latin Pronunciation: bay-lee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Frederick Manson Bailey, 19th century Australian botanist; or Frederick Marshman Bailey, 20th century explorer of Asia
Alternative Meaning:Named for Vernon Bailey, 20th century cactus collector, or Liberty Hyde Bailey, 20th century American professor of Horticulture at Cornell University
Latin Pronunciation: bay-lee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Frederick Manson Bailey, 19th century Australian botanist; or Frederick Marshman Bailey, 20th century explorer of Asia
Alternative Meaning:Named for Vernon Bailey, 20th century cactus collector, or Liberty Hyde Bailey, 20th century American professor of Horticulture at Cornell University
Latin Pronunciation: bay-lee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Henri Baillon, 19th century French botanist and author
Latin Pronunciation: bay-YON-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Frederick Manson Bailey, 19th century Australian botanist; or Frederick Marshman Bailey, 20th century explorer of Asia
Alternative Meaning:Named for Vernon Bailey, 20th century cactus collector, or Liberty Hyde Bailey, 20th century American professor of Horticulture at Cornell University
Latin Pronunciation: BAY-lee-eye

Meaning: Named for Thomas Baines, 19th century explorer and artist in Africa
Latin Pronunciation: BAINS-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Bain, not sure which one
Latin Pronunciation: BAYN-see-eye

bajada

A term used in the southwestern united States to describe outwash slopes with long straight profiles.

Meaning: The Latinized form of the aboriginal name for this plant
Latin Pronunciation: bah-LAHK-uh

Meaning: Named for George Percival Baker, who first exhibited the tulip species at a RHS show in 1895.
Latin Pronunciation: bay-KAIR-ee

balance of nature (alt. ecological balance, alt. biotic balance, syn. dynamic equilibrium, syn. biotic equilibrium)

A term for an ideal condition in which the interrelationships of organisms to one another and their environment appear harmonious, like a climax forest. In reality, the balance is continually upset by natural events.

balanoid

Refers to barnacles.

Meaning: From the Greek balanos (acorn) and phora (bearing)
Latin Pronunciation: bah-lan-oh-FOR-uh

Meaning: Named for Benedict Balansa, 19th century French botanical collector
Latin Pronunciation: bal-AN-see

Meaning: Named for Giovanni-Batista Balbis, 19th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bal-bis-ee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Giovanni-Batista Balbis, 17th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bal-bee-see-AH-num

Meaning: Named for Giovanni-Batista Balbis, 19th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bal-bis-ee-AH-nus

Meaning: Named for Giovanni-Batista Balbis, 19th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bal-BIS-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from the Balkan region
Latin Pronunciation: bal-KAN-ih-kuh

Meaning: Of or from the Balkan region
Latin Pronunciation: bal-KAN-ih-kum

bald

A treeless region in forest vegetation; perhaps an area of grasses or shrubs in southern Appalachia, or a mountaintop.

Meaning: Of or from the Balkan region
Latin Pronunciation: bal-KAN-ih-kus

Meaning: named for Count Bartolomeo Bartolini-Baldelli, 19th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bal-DEL-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Baljuan, Turkistan, Central Asia
Latin Pronunciation: bald-SHWAN-ih-kuh

Meaning: Of or from Monte Baldo, northern Italy
Latin Pronunciation: bald-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Baljuan, Turkistan, Central Asia
Latin Pronunciation: bald-SHWAN-ih-kum

Meaning: Possibly named for Baldwin, as one (seldom-used) variant of the genus is Baldwinia
Latin Pronunciation: BALD-win-uh

Meaning: Possibly named for Baldwin, as the common name is often spelled Baldwin
Latin Pronunciation: bald-WIN-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from Monte Baldo, northern Italy
Latin Pronunciation: bald-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Dr. William Baldwin, 19th century physician and the initial botanist on Stephen Long's expedition to find the headwaters of the Missouri River
Latin Pronunciation: bald-win-ee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Dr. William Baldwin, 19th century physician and the initial botanist on Stephen Long's expedition to find the headwaters of the Missouri River
Latin Pronunciation: bald-win-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Named for Dr. William Baldwin, 19th century physician and the initial botanist on Stephen Long's expedition to find the headwaters of the Missouri River
Latin Pronunciation: bald-WIN-ee-eye

Latin Pronunciation: bal-ee-ar-ik-us
Meaning: of the Balearic Islands.

Meaning: Of or from the Balearic Islands
Latin Pronunciation: bal-AIR-ee-kuh

Meaning: Of or from the Balearic Islands
Latin Pronunciation: bal-AIR-ee-kum

Meaning: Named for Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, 19th century professor of botany and directory fo the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Latin Pronunciation: BAL-for-eye

Meaning: Named for Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, 19th century professor of botany and directory fo the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Latin Pronunciation: bal-for-ee-AH-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bal-for-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, 19th century professor of botany and directory fo the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Latin Pronunciation: bal-for-ee-AH-num
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bal-for-ee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, 19th century professor of botany and directory fo the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Latin Pronunciation: bal-for-ee-AH-nus
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bal-for-ee-AY-nus

Meaning: from the Greek balio (spotted) and sperma (seed)
Latin Pronunciation: bal-ee-oh-SPER-mum

Meaning: Named for Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, 19th century professor of botany and directory fo the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Latin Pronunciation: bal-FOR-ee-eye

balling

A condition where outer petals stick together and fail to open, often occurring in damp weather.

ballistic

Refers to fruits that discharge their seeds forcefully; catapult fruits.

balled and burlapped

Taken out of the ground with a ball of soil around the roots and then wrapped in burlap for support.

Meaning: Named for Peter Bally
Latin Pronunciation: BAL-ee

Meaning: Named for Peter Ren? Oscar Bally, 20th century taxonomist and plant collector in East Africa
Latin Pronunciation: BAL-lee-eye

Meaning: Little ball
Latin Pronunciation: bal-LOT-uh

Meaning: Aromatic
Latin Pronunciation: bal-SAM-ee-uh

Meaning: Aromatic
Latin Pronunciation: bal-SAM-ee-um

Meaning: With a fragrant wax, resin
Latin Pronunciation: bal-sam-EE-fer

Latin Pronunciation: bal-say-mee-us
Meaning: Balsam- like, balsam scented.

Meaning: With a fragrant wax, resin
Latin Pronunciation: bal-sam-EE-fer-um

Latin Pronunciation: bal-sam-mif-er-us
Meaning: balsam bearing.

Meaning: Aromatic
Latin Pronunciation: bal-SAM-in-uh

Meaning: With a fragrant wax, resin
Latin Pronunciation: bal-sam-EE-fer-uh

Meaning: Aromatic
Latin Pronunciation: bal-SAM-it-uh

Meaning: Of or from the Baltic Sea region
Latin Pronunciation: BOL-tik-uh

Meaning: Of or from the Baltic Sea region
Latin Pronunciation: BOL-tik-um

Latin Pronunciation: bol-tik-us
Meaning: from or of the Baltic Sea region.

bamboo

Any of various usually woody and/or arborescent grasses of the tropical or temperate regions belonging to the generaBambusa, Arundinaria, Phyllostachys, Sasa, Dendrocalamus, etc., most having hard, hollow stems.

Latin Pronunciation: bam-boo-soy-deez
Meaning: Bam boo-like.

banados

Shallow swamps in Paraguay.

Bancroft's Law

A generalization that organisms and communities tend toward a state of dynamic equilibrium with the environment.

Meaning: Of or from Banat, Rumania
Latin Pronunciation: ba-NAT-ee-ka

Meaning: Of or from Banat, Rumania
Latin Pronunciation: ba-NAT-ee-kum

Bancroft's Law

A generalization that organisms and communities tend toward a state of dynamic equilibrium with the environment.

Meaning: Named for Miguel Bang, 19th century Bolivian plant collector
Latin Pronunciation: BANG-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for John Banister, 17th century English-born botanist from Oxford who travelled to America to collect plants
Latin Pronunciation: ban-is-TER-ee-a

Meaning: Of or from Banat, Rumania
Latin Pronunciation: ba-NAT-ee-kus

Meaning: Resembles Banisteria (genus named for John Banister, 17th century English-born botanist from Oxford who travelled to America to collect plants)
Latin Pronunciation: banis-ter-ee-OP-sis

Meaning: Named for Lady Dorothea Banks by her husband, Sir Joseph Banks, who discovered the species
Latin Pronunciation: BANGK-see-ay

Meaning: Named for Sir Joseph Banks, 19th century botanist and President of the Royal Society
Latin Pronunciation: banks-ee-AH-nah

bank storage

Water absorbed by the bed and banks of a stream, returned in whole or part after ground water level falls.

Meaning: Of or from Banat
Latin Pronunciation: ban-AT-ee-kuh

Meaning: Named for Sir Joseph Banks, 19th century botanist and President of the Royal Society
Latin Pronunciation: BANKS-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from Banat
Latin Pronunciation: ban-AT-ee-kum

Meaning: Of or from Banat
Latin Pronunciation: ban-AT-ee-kus

standard (syn. banner)

1. A plant with a strong vertical stem, particularly one that would not normally grow that way; a vine or shrub trained as a tree with a single trunk and a more or less spherical top. 2. Uppermost, usually erect, petals of some flowers; the upper dilated petal of a papilionaceous corolla.

Meaning: From the Greek baphe (dye) referring to the red dye yielded from the plant
Latin Pronunciation: BAY-fee-uh

Meaning: A bigeneric hybrid between Baptistonia (namedfor Baptista Caetano d'A Nogueira, a Brazilian entymologist) and Comparettia (named for Andreo Comparetti, a 19th century Professor of Botany)
Latin Pronunciation: bap-ti-RET-ee-uh

bar

1. A continually moving deposit of sand forming a ridge along the seashore or the coasts of large lakes. 2. A unit of atmospheric pressure equivalent to 29.53 inches (750.1 mm) of mercury at 32 degrees at latitude 45 degrees.

Meaning: Named for Baptista (or Baptisto) Caetano d'A Nogueira, a Brazilian entymologist
Latin Pronunciation: bap-tees-TOH-nee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Barbados
Latin Pronunciation: bar-buh-DEN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bar-buh-DEN-say

barachore

A species in which the fruit or seed is desseminated by its own weight, e.g., walnuts,Juglans, falling to the ground. See also: autochore, diaspore.

Meaning: Named for Sir Joseph Banks, 19th century botanist and President of the Royal Society
Latin Pronunciation: banks-ee-AH-num

Latin Pronunciation: bar-bad-den-siss
Meaning: of Barbados.

Meaning: Named for St. Barbara and once generally known as her herb, or the Herba Sanctae Barbarae
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-bar-ay

Meaning: Foreign
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-bar-rum

Meaning: Bearded, barbed
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BAY-tuh

Meaning: Bearded, barbed
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BAY-tum

Meaning: A sterile hybrid from crossing two species - barbatus (meaning bearded, barbed) and caryophyllus (pink coloured or clove scented)
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BAY-tus kar-ee-oh-FIL-us

Latin Pronunciation: bar-bay-tus
Meaning: barbed, bearded.

barbed

Furnished with rigid points or short bristles, usually reflexed like the barb of a fish hook.

barbed trichome

A trichome with terminal or lateral retrorse projections, each projection being a barb.

barbellate

Finely- barbed.

barbellae

Short, stiff barbs.

Meaning: Variant of barbarae, named for St. Barbara
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-ber-ay

Meaning: Edmund Scott Barber, 19th century Administrator of Labuan (island near Borneo) and plant collector
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-ber-ee

Meaning: Named for William Barbey, early 20th century Swiss philanthropist and botanist
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-bee-eye

Meaning: Has a beard
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BEE-ger-uh

Meaning: Of or from Barberton, Mpumalanga (South Africa)
Latin Pronunciation: bar-ber-ton-EN-sis

Meaning: Has a beard
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BEE-ger-um

Latin Pronunciation: bar-bij-er-us
Meaning: bearing barbs, beards.

Meaning: Bearded (hairy) veins
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bin-NER-vee-uh

Meaning: Bearded (hairy) veins
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BIN-ner-vee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bar-BIN-ner-vay

Meaning: Bearded (hairy) veins
Latin Pronunciation: bar-BIN-ner-viss

Meaning: Bearded (hairy) veins
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bin-NER-vee-um

Meaning: Bearded (hairy) veins
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bin-NER-vee-us

Latin Pronunciation: bar-bin-noh-diss
Meaning: bearded at joints (nodes).

barbulate

Finely- bearded.

Meaning: Short beard
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bul-AT-uh

Meaning: Short beard
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bul-AT-us

barbulae

Outgrowths on the margin of the wings or in the throat of the corolla, sometimes with apical hairs or papillae (found in plants of the genus Scaevola.)

Meaning: Short beard
Latin Pronunciation: bar-bul-AT-um

Meaning: Named for Joao Barbosa Rodrigues (or Rodriguez), 19th century Brazilian botanist and Director of the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janiero; he also painted more than 1,000 orchid illustrations
Latin Pronunciation: bar-boh-SEL-lah

barchan

A distinctive isolated, crescent-shaped, sand dune with the ends projecting on the side opposite that from which the wind blows, common in Turkestan.

Meaning: Of or from Barcelona, Spain
Latin Pronunciation: bar-sin-oh-NEN-see

Meaning: Of or from Barcelona, Spain
Latin Pronunciation: bar-sin-oh-NEN-sis

Meaning: Named for Robert Barclay, 18th century English botanist and horticulturist
Latin Pronunciation: bar-KLAY-uh

Meaning: An intergeneric cross between Barkeria (George Baker, 19th century British orchid grower) and Epidendrum (from Greek epi, upon; and dendron, tree)
Latin Pronunciation: bar-DEN-drum

bare-root

Describes a plant that is prepared for transporting by removing all the soil around its roots.

bark

The outer covering of the trunks or branches of trees and shrubs.

Meaning: Foreign
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-bar-ruh

bark-cambium

The layer of cells that produces new bark.

Meaning: Named for Barker (several different individuals are honored by this epithet)
Latin Pronunciation: BARK-er-eye

Meaning: Named for George Baker, 19th century British horticulturist and orchid grower
Latin Pronunciation: bar-KER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Sir Henry Barkly, 19th century governor of various British colonies
Latin Pronunciation: bark-lee-AY-na

Meaning: Named for Winsome Fanny Barker, 20th century South African plant collector
Latin Pronunciation: BARK-er-ay

Meaning: Named for Sir Henry Barkly, 19th century governor of various British colonies
Latin Pronunciation: BARK-lee

barogram

A continuous record of the readings of a barograph.

Meaning: Named for Sr. Jean-Baptiste Barla, 19th century French botanist who collected orchids in Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-lee-uh

barograph

A self-registering barometer.

Meaning: Named for Reverend Baron, an early 20th century English missionary in South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: bar-oh-nee-eye

Meaning: From a Tartar word meaning lamb, referring to the woolly rootstock of this fern considered to be half plant/half animal
Latin Pronunciation: BAR-oh-metz

barotaxis

Response of an organism in response to barometric stimulus.

barotropism

Change of position of a plant or sedentary animal in response to a barometric stimulus.

Meaning: Named for Jacques Barrelier, 17th century French botanist who wrotePlantae per Galliam
Latin Pronunciation: bar-ree-lee-ER-ee

barrens

A region where vegetation is absent or poorly developed.

barrier

1. Any feature or condition that restricts movement of organisms or prevents establishment of organisms which have migrated there. 2. A condition that prevents or significantly reduces crossbreeding of organisms.

barrier beach

A strip of land built up by the action of waves, currents and winds, and which protects inner areas.

Meaning: Named for Daines Barrington, 18th century English judge and naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: bar-ring-TOH-nee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Barrydale, a town in the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: bar-ree-DALE-en-sis

Meaning: Graziela Maciel Barroso, 20th century botanist in Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bar-roh-so-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Graziela Maciel Barroso, 20th century botanist in Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bar-ROH-soh-ay

Meaning: named for Thomas Bartholin, 17th century Dutch scientist
Latin Pronunciation: bar-tho-LIN-uh

Meaning: Named for Graziela Maciel Barroso, 20th century botanist in Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bar-roh-so-AY-na

Meaning: Named for John Bartram, 18th century botanist referred to by Linnaeus as the greatest natural botanist in the world.
Latin Pronunciation: bar-tram-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for John Bartram, 18th century botanist referred to by Linnaeus as the greatest natural botanist in the world.
Latin Pronunciation: bar-TRAM-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Bartlett; the exact namesake depends on the species
Latin Pronunciation: bart-LET-ee-eye

basal (alt. basilar)

1. Growing from the base of a stem; used in reference to leaves at the base of the stem. 2. One of the main canes of a rose bush, originating from the bud union. 3. Describes cells at the base or insertion of the leaf, often of different shapes and colors from those of the main part of the leaf.

Meaning: Basal
Latin Pronunciation: BAS-al-liss

Meaning: Growing in basaltic rock (basaltes is a dark, hard Ethiopian marble)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-SAL-tih-kum

Meaning: Growing in basaltic rock (basaltes is a dark, hard Ethiopian marble)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-SAL-tih-ka

Meaning: Growing in basaltic rock (basaltes is a dark, hard Ethiopian marble)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-SAL-tih-kus

basal area (alt. basal cover, alt. ground cover, alt. cover)

1. The area of the cross section of a tree at a height of 4.5 feet above the ground, generally written as the total of the basal area of the trees in a forest in square feet per acre. 2. The surface of the soil actually covered by a plant, as compared to the full spread of the herbage, which in grassland ecology often measures at one inch above the ground.

basal area (alt. basal cover, alt. ground cover, alt. cover)

1. The area of the cross section of a tree at a height of 4.5 feet above the ground, generally written as the total of the basal area of the trees in a forest in square feet per acre. 2. The surface of the soil actually covered by a plant, as compared to the full spread of the herbage, which in grassland ecology often measures at one inch above the ground.

Meaning: Basal
Latin Pronunciation: BAS-al-lee

base

The proximal portion of a structure; that part nearest the point of attachment.

base exchange capacity

A measure of the absorptive capacity of a soil for materials with exchangeable cations, a nonacid reaction. A soil with a high base exchange capacity will retain more plant nutrients and is less apt to leach than one with a low exchange capacity.

Meaning: Latin form of Indian name for plants
Latin Pronunciation: ba-SELL-ah

base flow

Springs; stream flow coming from subterranean sources in contrast to surface runoff.

base saturation

The proportion of the base exchange capacity that is saturated with metallic cations.

Meaning: Of or from Bashan, an ancient city in present-day Syria
Latin Pronunciation: bay-shun-EN-sis

base level

The lowest level to which a land surface can drop by action of water; the permanent base level is sea level.

basidium (pl. basidia)

The reproductive fungus cell (meiotangium) producing usually four spores on the outside.

basidium (pl. basidia)

The reproductive fungus cell (meiotangium) producing usually four spores on the outside.

basifixed

Attached by the base.

basidiomycete

A fungus-producing basidia.

Meaning: Basal
Latin Pronunciation: base-IL-ar-ee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:base-IL-ar-ay

Latin Pronunciation: bas-il-/ay-riss
Meaning: pertaining to the base or bottom.

Meaning: Princely
Latin Pronunciation: bass-IL-ee-kum

Meaning: Princely
Latin Pronunciation: bass-IL-ee-kus

basin irrigation

An artificial method of watering plants in which a level field is surrounded by a ridge of earth so that a shallow body of water may accumulate before it soaks into the soil.

basin listing

A way of working land by constructing small dams at intervals across furrows to form basins for collecting rainwater, slowing runoff and erosion.

basionym

A specific or infraspecific name which has priority over other names later given to the same plant by different authors. See also: synonym, homonym, tautonym, autonym.

basipetal (adj. basipetalous)

Developing from the apex towards the base. See also: acropetal.

basiscopic

Facing the base of the axis on which it is borne.

Meaning: Princely
Latin Pronunciation: bass-IL-ee-kuh

basitonic

Describes flowering seasonal shoots which produce no leaves (except for bracts in some cases) below the inflorescence. See also: acrotonic.

Meaning: Possibly from Basho, the Japanese name for a type of banana
Latin Pronunciation: BAS-joo

Meaning: Named for John Baskerville Esq., 18th century British engraver
Latin Pronunciation: bas-ker-VIL-luh

basophilous

Refers to organisms which have adapted for life in alkaline soil or other medium.

Meaning: Named for Ferdinando Bassi, 18th century Italian botanist & Prefect, Bologna Botanical Garden
Latin Pronunciation: BASS-ee-uh

Latin Pronunciation: bar-bar-us
Meaning: foreign, from a foreign place.

Meaning: Named for Dr. Alexander Feodorowicz Batalin, 19th century Russian botanist and curator of the Imperical Botanical Garden at St. Petersburg
Latin Pronunciation: ba-tal-IN-ee-eye

Meaning: Latin form of Haitian name for Sweet Potato
Latin Pronunciation: bat-TAT-as

bast

The fibrous portion of the inner bark.

Meaning: Named for James Bateman, 19th century English orchid enthusiast
Latin Pronunciation: bate-MAN-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for James Bateman, 19th century English orchid enthusiast
Latin Pronunciation: bate-man-nee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for James Bateman, 19th century English orchid enthusiast
Latin Pronunciation: bate-MAN-nee-uh

Meaning: Having leaves like Batatas (Latin form of Haitian name for Sweet Potato)
Latin Pronunciation: bat-at-ih-FOH-lee-uh

bathyal zone (adj. bathyic)

The deep part of the ocean where light does not penetrate sufficiently for normal plant growth.

Meaning: Named for George Latimer Bates, 20th century American ornithologist and botanist in West Africa.
Latin Pronunciation: bate-see-AH-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bate-see-AY-nuh

bathyphyll

A modified leaf which attaches a plant to a substrate.

bathysphere

A pressure-resistant underwater structure with a spherical chamber in which scientists can descend deep into the ocean.

Meaning: Greek name for a seashore plant
Latin Pronunciation: BAY-tiss

Meaning: Resembling Batrachium (sub-genus name for water buttercup)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-tra-KOY-deez

Meaning: Sub-genus of Ranunculus species; the name is derived from the Greek batracheios (frog or other amphibian)
Latin Pronunciation: ba-TRAY-kee-um

Meaning: Named for Jules Aime Battandier, early 20th century author of Flora of Algerie
Latin Pronunciation: bat-AN-dee-er-ee

bathypelagic

Refers to deep parts of the ocean, but not including the ocean bottom.

batten stripping

Plastic strapping which can be used in a manner similar to snow fencing.

batten

Lath, often wired together as in snow fencing.

Meaning: Resembles Bauhinia, genus named for Gaspard and Jean Bauhin, 16th century physicians and botanists
Latin Pronunciation: baw-hin-ee-OY-deez

Meaning: Named for Dr. George Herman Carl Ludwig Baur, 19th century German professor and collector
Latin Pronunciation: BOUR-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from Bavaria
Latin Pronunciation: ba-VAR-ee-kum

Meaning: Named for Antoine Baume, 18th century French apothecary and professor of chemistry
Latin Pronunciation: BAWM-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bavaria
Latin Pronunciation: ba-VAR-ee-kuh

Meaning: Of or from Bavaria
Latin Pronunciation: ba-VAR-ee-kus

Meaning: Named for William Baxter, 19th century British gardener and plant collector, who collected in Western Australia
Latin Pronunciation: BAKS-ter-eye

bay (alt. embayment)

A notch in the shoreline, not restricted to any single form. It may be a lobe of water extending inland as deeply as a firth or fiord, or it may be as shallow as a quarter moon shape. See also: cove.

Meaning: Named for Colonel Roy Bayliss, a botanical explorer in South Africa and authority on succulents
Latin Pronunciation: bay-liss-ee-AH-na

beach

Where water meets land at the edge of lakes, oceans, etc. A barrier beach is a ridge of sandy deposits separated from the mainland by a section of water. See also: atoll.

beach pool

The barrier beach pool is a shallow lagoon formed inland from the barrier beach. 2. A sand spit beach pool is a shallow lagoon, generally S-shaped, that is inland from a sand spit, most often on the protected side of a headland.

bayou

A creek or slow-moving stream.

beak

Prolonged narrow tip of the operculum.

Meaning: Named by Robert Fortune for Thomas C Beale
Latin Pronunciation: BEEL-lee-eye

Meaning: Variant spelling of bealei, named by Robert Fortune for Thomas C Beale
Latin Pronunciation: BEEL-lee-eye

Meaning: Named for William Jackson Bean, 20th century dendrologist and curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Latin Pronunciation: bean-ee-AH-na

beaked

Ending in a prolonged tip.

Meaning: Named for William Jackson Bean, 20th century dendrologist and curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Latin Pronunciation: bean-ee-AH-num

bearded

Bearing a long awn, or furnished with long or stiff hairs, as seen on the lower petals of some irises.

Meaning: named for Beaucarne
Latin Pronunciation: bow-KAR-nee-uh

Meaning: Named for Mary Somerset, Duchess of Beaurfor and 18th century botanical patron
Latin Pronunciation: bow-FOR-tee-uh

Beaufort scale

An artificial number scale invented by Francis Beaufort in 1805 to show approximate wind sp.ed ranging from 0 miles per hour (mph) for calm to 12 mph for a hurricane velocity in excess of 75 mph.

Meaning: Named for Gustave Beauverd, 20th century Swiss botanist and curator of the Barbey-Boissier herbarium in Geneva
Latin Pronunciation: bow-ver-dee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Lady Diana Beaumont, 19th century British royalty of Bretton Hall, Yorkshire
Latin Pronunciation: bow-MON-tee-uh

Meaning: Named for Gustave Beauverd, 20th century Swiss botanist and curator of the Barbey-Boissier herbarium in Geneva
Latin Pronunciation: bow-VER-dee-eye

Meaning: Named for Michael Schuck Bebb, 19th century American specialist on willows
Latin Pronunciation: BEB-bee-uh

Meaning: Named for Michael Schuck Bebb, 19th century American specialist on willows
Latin Pronunciation: BEB-bee-eye

Meaning: Apparently derived from the German Bachbunge (brook+bunch)
Alternative Meaning:Another possible derivation is from the Flemish beckpunge (mouth smart), referring to the pungent leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bek-uh-BUNG-uh

Meaning: Named for Odoardo Beccari, 20th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bek-kar-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for Odoardo Beccari, 20th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bek-kar-ee-AH-num

Meaning: A date palm (phoenix) named for Dr. Odoardo Beccari, 20th century Florentine (Italy) palm collector and author
Latin Pronunciation: bek-kahr-ee-oh-FEE-niks

Meaning: Named for Odoardo Beccari, 20th century Italian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bek-kar-ee-AH-nus

Beckmann thermometer

A thermometer for a narrow range at very accurate readings, such as one graduated to 0.01 degrees for a range of 7 degrees.

Meaning: Named for Hermann Beckler, early 20th century German-born doctor and botanist who accompanied the Victorian Exploring Expedition
Latin Pronunciation: BEK-ler-ee

Meaning: named for Johann Beckmann, 19th century German scientist and agriculturist
Latin Pronunciation: bek-MAH-nee-uh

Meaning: Named for George Beck, early 20th century professor at what is now now Central Washington University, in Washington, U.S.
Latin Pronunciation: BEK-ee-eye

bedding plants

Plants used in large numbers in usually temporary displays. Most often annuals, tender perennials, and bulbs not able or intended to naturalize and which are grown indoors or under glass before planting.

Meaning: Named for Col. Richard Henry Beddome, 19th century British botanist in India; Director of the Lal Bagh (government gardens) at Bangalore and author of a botany manual
Latin Pronunciation: BED-o-my
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BED-o-may-ee

bed load

Rocks, sand, gravel, and other debris rolled along the bottom of a stream by high-velocity water, in contrast to silt load, which is suspended in place.

bedrock

The layer of solid rock underlying a soil profile or other surface materials.

Meaning: Named for Randolf Bedford
Latin Pronunciation: bed-FORD-ee-uh

bed preparation

Mixing compost, ashes, and/or sand with natural soil to improve growing potential.

Meaning: Of or from the Bering Sea region
Latin Pronunciation: beh-rin-gee-AY-na

Meaning: Of or from the Bering Sea region
Latin Pronunciation: beh-rin-gee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Bee's Nursery in Chester, UK
Latin Pronunciation: BEEZ-ee-a

Meaning: Named for Bee's Nursery in Chester, UK
Latin Pronunciation: bee-zee-AN-uh

Meaning: Named for Bee's Nursery in Chester, UK
Latin Pronunciation: bee-zee-AN-um

Meaning: Named for Bee's Nursery in Chester, UK
Latin Pronunciation: bee-zee-AN-us

Meaning: Having leaves like Begonia (genus named for Micheal Begon, 18th century governor of French Canada)
Latin Pronunciation: be-gon-yuh-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Behara, South Madagascar
Latin Pronunciation: be-HAIR-en-sis

Meaning: Named for Abbe Beguin, who discovered the species
Latin Pronunciation: be-GIN-ee-eye

Meaning: Named by Mutis for Professor Jos? Bejar, 19th century Spanish botanist in Cadiz; Linneaus incorrectly spelled Befaria
Latin Pronunciation: be-HAR-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from B?jar, Spain
Latin Pronunciation: be-har-ee-EN-sis

Meaning: Of or from B?jar, Spain
Latin Pronunciation: be-har-ee-EN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:be-har-ee-EN-say

Meaning: Of or from Belgium or the Netherlands
Latin Pronunciation: BEL-gee-kuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BEL-jee-kuh

Meaning: Of or from Belgium or the Netherlands
Latin Pronunciation: BEL-gee-kum
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BEL-jee-kum

Latin Pronunciation: bel-jik-us
Meaning: of Belgium.

Meaning: Pretty, handsome
Latin Pronunciation: BEL-luh

Meaning: Beautiful lady
Latin Pronunciation: bel-uh-DON-nuh

Meaning: Pretty
Latin Pronunciation: bel-LAH-tuh-lum

Meaning: Pretty
Latin Pronunciation: bel-LAH-tuh-luh

Meaning: Possibly from the Latin bellus (beautiful) and the Greek endemos (native)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-en-DEEN-uh

Meaning: Named for Pierre Richer de Belleval, 17th century French botanist and founder o fthe Montpellier Botanic Garden
Latin Pronunciation: bell-eh-VAL-ee-uh

Meaning: Having flowers like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FLOR-um

Meaning: Having leaves like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Having leaves like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Having flowers like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FLOR-uh

Meaning: Like a daisy
Latin Pronunciation: bel-id-EE-for-me
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bel-id-EE-for-may

Meaning: Having flowers like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FLOR-us

Meaning: Having leaves like Bellis (English Daisy)
Latin Pronunciation: bel-lid-ee-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: Resembles Bellis (genus name, meaning pretty or handsome)
Latin Pronunciation: bell-id-ee-OY-deez

Meaning: Like a daisy
Latin Pronunciation: bel-id-EE-for-miss

Meaning: Pretty, handsome
Latin Pronunciation: BEL-lum

Latin Pronunciation: bell-us
Meaning: handsome.

belly plants

A humorous term for inconspicuous plants, which often require botanists to crawl on their bellies to find them.

Meaning: Spear or arrow-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bel-oh-FIL-um

Meaning: Spear or arrow-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bel-oh-FIL-uh

Meaning: Spear or arrow-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bel-oh-FIL-us

below

Refers to the position of one portion of an organ or plant in relation to another portion; the part "below" is the nearest to the attachment. See also: above.

belt

A long narrow area or strip of vegetation with characteristics which define it from adjoining areas.

belt transect

A type of vegetational analysis in which a portion of land a few inches or a few feet wide, and often a meter wide and 10 to 100 meters long, has constituent plants recorded.

bench terrace

A shelf-like embankment of earth, usually man-made, along a contour of sloping land to control runoff and erosion. See also: ridge terrace.

bench mark

The point of reference in elevation surveys from where surveyors start to furnish an accurate survey.

Meaning: Blessed
Latin Pronunciation: ben-uh-DICK-tuh

Meaning: Named for King Bencomo of Taoro, the last king of the Canary Islands
Latin Pronunciation: ben-KOH-mee-uh

Meaning: Blessed
Latin Pronunciation: ben-uh-DICK-tum

Latin Pronunciation: ben-ed-dik-tus
Meaning: blessed.

Meaning: Variant of benghalensis, meaning of or from Bengal (India)
Latin Pronunciation: ben-gal-EN-sis

Meaning: Smells nice
Latin Pronunciation: ben-ee-OH-lens

Meaning: Variant of benghalense, meaning of or from Bengal (India)
Latin Pronunciation: ben-gal-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Bengal (India); sometiems spelled bengalense
Latin Pronunciation: ben-gal-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Bengal (India); sometiems spelled bengalensis
Latin Pronunciation: ben-gal-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Count Giuseppe Benincasa, 16th century Italian botanist who founded the Botanic Garden at Pisa
Latin Pronunciation: ben-in-KAH-suh

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-THAM-ee-uh

Meaning: From Benjan, the Indian name for this plant
Latin Pronunciation: ben-juh-MYE-nuh

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-tham-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-tham-ee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-tham-ee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-THAM-ee-eye

benthic

Refers to the bottom of any body of water, regardless of depth. Oceanic benthic division is composed of littoral, sublittoral, archibenthic, and abyssal-benthic zones.

benthos

Organisms which live on or at the bottom of oceans or fresh water, from the water's edge down to the deepest water depths. See also: nekton.

Meaning: Named for George Bentham, 19th century English botanical author
Latin Pronunciation: ben-tham-EE-dee-uh

Meaning: Named for Bentinkia Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, 19th century Governor-general of India
Latin Pronunciation: ben-TINK-ee-uh

bentonite

Absorptive and colloidal clay used as a sealing agent, as in lining ponds.

Meaning: The Berberis (barberry) genus
Latin Pronunciation: bear-ber-id-AY-see-ay

Meaning: Of or from Beravy, Toliara, Madagascar
Latin Pronunciation: ber-av-ee-EN-sis

Meaning: Having foliage like Berberis
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ber-id-ih-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Named for Berger, not sure which one
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ger-ee-AN-uh

Meaning: Named for Peter Jonas Bergius (1730-1790), a Swedish botanist and student of Linnaeus
Latin Pronunciation: BER-gee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BER-jee-uh

Meaning: named for Jan Le Francq van Berkhey, 18th century Dutch botanist
Latin Pronunciation: berk-HE-yuh

Meaning: Named for Alwyn Berger, 20th century German botanist and supervisor of Sir Thomas Hanburg gardens at La Mortola, Italy
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ger-oh-KAK-tus

Meaning: Named for J.L. Berlandier, 19th century Belgian botanist who conducted botanical explorations in Texas and New Mexico
Latin Pronunciation: ber-lan-dee-AIR-uh

Berlese funnel

A device in which soil is placed, and heat and light are applied from above, forcing mites, collembolons, etc., into a container below it. See also: Baermann funnel, Tullgren funnel.

Meaning: Named for Jean Louis Berlandier, 19th century botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bur-lan-dee-ER-ee

berm (alt. berme)

1. A narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of an escarpment or beside a road. 2. A mound or wall of earth.

Meaning: Of or from Bermuda
Latin Pronunciation: ber-MEW-dan-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bermuda
Latin Pronunciation: ber-myoo-dee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Of or from Bermuda
Latin Pronunciation: ber-myoo-dee-AY-num

Latin Pronunciation: ber-mew-dee-ay-nus
Meaning: of Bermuda.

Latin Pronunciation: ber-ol-in-en-siss
Meaning: of Berlin.

berry (pl. berries)

A fleshy fruit that contains small seeds, the whole pericarp of which is fleshy or pulpy.

Meaning: Named for either P.F. Bernard, 19th century French botanist or Bernard de Jussieu, 18th century French taxonomist
Latin Pronunciation: ber-NAR-dee-uh

Meaning: Named for Carlo Giuseppe Bertero, 19th century Italian physician and botanist; he was drowned during his travels
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ter-ee-AY-na

Meaning: Named for Carlo Giuseppe Bertero, 19th century Italian physician and botanist; he was drowned during his travels
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ter-ee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Carlo Giuseppe Bertero, 19th century Italian physician and botanist; he was drowned during his travels
Latin Pronunciation: ber-TER-oh-uh

Meaning: Named for Carlo Giuseppe Bertero, 19th century Italian physician and botanist; he was drowned during his travels
Latin Pronunciation: ber-ter-ee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Marcelin Berthelot, 19th century French chemist
Latin Pronunciation: berth-eh-LOT-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Comte Claude-Louis Berthollet, 18th century French chemist
Latin Pronunciation: berth-oh-LAY-ee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:berth-oh-LET-ee-uh

Meaning: Latin name for an aquatic plant similar to water-cress
Latin Pronunciation: BER-oo-luh

Meaning: Possibly named for Pierre Bertin
Latin Pronunciation: ber-TIN-ee-eye

Meaning: named for Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Berschorner, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bes-kor-NER-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bessarabia, eastern Europe
Latin Pronunciation: bess-ar-RAB-ik-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bessarabia, eastern Europe
Latin Pronunciation: bess-ar-rAB-ik-um

Latin Pronunciation: bess-ar-rab-ik-us
Meaning: of Bessarabia.

Meaning: Named for Dr. Ernst A. Bessey, 20th century American professor of Botany at Michigan State University
Latin Pronunciation: BES-see-eye

Meaning: Named for Elisabeth Locke Besse, who discovered the species
Latin Pronunciation: BES-say
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BES-say-ee

Meaning: Named for Wildbald von Besser, 19th century Austrian/Polish botanist and professor at Kremenets
Latin Pronunciation: BES-ser-uh

Meaning: Perhaps from the Celtic bett, red, because of the red roots
Latin Pronunciation: BET-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BAY-tuh

Meaning: Named for Dr. Ernst A. Bessey, 20th century American professor of Botany at Michigan State University
Latin Pronunciation: BES-see-ya

Meaning: Like a beet
Latin Pronunciation: bet-uh-KEE-uh

Meaning: Like a beet
Latin Pronunciation: bet-uh-KEE-um

betacyanin

The nitrogen- based red pigments of beets, Beta spp., and other Chenopodiaceae, as well as flowers of Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, and others.

Latin Pronunciation: bet-tay-see-us
Meaning: beet-like.

Meaning: Named for Jean de B?thencourt, 15th century Norman/French explorer of the Canary Islands
Latin Pronunciation: bet-en-cort-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for Jean de B?thencourt, 15th century Norman/French explorer of the Canary Islands
Latin Pronunciation: bet-en-cort-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Named for Jean de B?thencourt, 15th century Norman/French explorer of the Canary Islands
Latin Pronunciation: bet-en-cort-ee-AH-nus

Meaning: Variant of Vettonica, a Spanish native plant, and vernacular name forStachys officinalis
Latin Pronunciation: bet-OH-nee-kuh

Meaning: Having foliage like Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-on-ih-see-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: From the Portugese (or Malayan) name
Latin Pronunciation: BET-lee

Meaning: Having foliage like Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-on-ih-see-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Having foliage like Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-on-ih-see-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: The Betula (birches and alders) family
Latin Pronunciation: beh-tyoo-LAY-see-ay

Meaning: Having Birch-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-lee-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Having foliage like Betula (Birch genus)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-lay-ee-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Having Birch-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-lee-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: Having Birch-like leaves
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-lee-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Resembling Betula (genus name for Birch)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-LY-nuh

Meaning: Resembling Betula (genus name for Birch)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-LY-num

Meaning: Resembling Betula (genus name for Birch)
Latin Pronunciation: bet-yoo-LY-nus

Meaning: Latin name for Birch
Latin Pronunciation: BET-yoo-lus

Latin Pronunciation: bet-yew-loy-deez
Meaning: Birch- like.

biannual

Occurring twice a year. See also: biennial.

Meaning: Named for Heinrich Karl Beyrich, a 19th century Prussian botanist who explored in Brazil and the southeastern US
Latin Pronunciation: bey-RIK-ee-eye

Meaning: Latin for double arum
Latin Pronunciation: by-AIR-um
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BY-ar-um

biauriculate

Having two auricles.

bibracteolate

Having two bracteoles.

Meaning: From the Greek bis (twice) and bullat (inflated, bombastic)
Latin Pronunciation: by-bul-LAY-tuh

biblical garden

A botanical area consisting of plants mentioned in the Bible.

Meaning: From the Greek bis (twice) and bullat (inflated, bombastic)
Latin Pronunciation: by-bul-LAY-tum

bicalcarate

Having two spurs.

Meaning: From the Greek bis (twice) and bullat (inflated, bombastic)
Latin Pronunciation: by-bul-LAY-tus

bicallose

Having two callosities.

Meaning: Having two capsules
Latin Pronunciation: by-kap-soo-LAIR-ee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:by-kap-soo-LAIR-ay

Meaning: Two-keeled
Latin Pronunciation: by-kar-in-NAY-tuh

Meaning: Having two capsules
Latin Pronunciation: by-kap-soo-LAIR-iss

bicarinate

Having two keels.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-kar-in-nay-tus
Meaning: two- keeled.

bicarpellate

Having a two- celled fruit.

bicentric

Refers to a taxon which has two centers of dissemination or evolution.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-kol-or
Meaning: two-colored.

bicolored (alt. bicolorous)

Having two colors on the same structure, often said of petals.

Meaning: Named for Eugene Pintard Bicknell, early 20th century American banker and amateur botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bik-NEL-ee-eye

biconvex

Bulging outward on both sides, almost a sphere or orb.

Meaning: Two horns
Latin Pronunciation: BY-korn-ee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BY-korn-ay

Meaning: Having two horns or horn-like spurs
Latin Pronunciation: by-kor-NOO-tuh

Latin Pronunciation: bye-korn-iss
Meaning: two-horned.

bicornute

Having two horns.

Meaning: Havign two horns or horn-like spurs
Latin Pronunciation: by-kor-NOO-tum

Latin Pronunciation: bye-kor-new-tus
Meaning: two-horned.

bicostate

In mosses, having a double costa, which is usually much shorter than in leaves having a single costa.

Meaning: Two-pointed
Latin Pronunciation: by-kus-pid-AY-ta

bicrenate

Biserrate with both sets of teeth being shallow and rounded.

Meaning: Two-pointed
Latin Pronunciation: by-kus-pid-AY-tum

Meaning: Two points
Latin Pronunciation: by-KUS-pis

Latin Pronunciation: bye-den-tay-tus
Meaning: two- toothed.

Meaning: Named for John Carne Bidwill, 19th century English gardener and New Zealand alpine plant enthusiast
Latin Pronunciation: bid-WIL-lee-eye

Meaning: Named for Baron Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein, 19th century German explorer in southern Russia
Latin Pronunciation: by-ber-STY-nee-eye

bidentate

Having two teeth.

Meaning: Named for Baron Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein, 19th century German explorer in southern Russia
Latin Pronunciation: by-ber-STY-nee-ay-nuh

biennial

A plant with a life cycle that is completed in two years or seasons, with the second season usually devoted to flowering and fruiting.

bifacial

Refers to leaves with distinct adaxial and abaxial surfaces.

Meaning: Biennial
Latin Pronunciation: by-EN-nee

Latin Pronunciation: bye-en-niss
Meaning: biennial, living two years.

bifarious

Growing in two ranks, such as needle- type leaves growing in two rows on opposite sides of a twig; distichous.

bifid

1. Cleft into two parts. 2. Divided into pinnae-bearing pinnules.

Meaning: Split in two
Latin Pronunciation: BIF-id-uh

Meaning: Split in two
Latin Pronunciation: BIF-id-um

Latin Pronunciation: bye-fid-us (bif-id-us)
Meaning: twice cut, two-parted.

Meaning: With two flowers
Latin Pronunciation: by-FLOR-uh

Latin Pronunciation: bye-floh-rus
Meaning: two-flowered.

Meaning: With two flowers
Latin Pronunciation: by-FLOR-um

Meaning: With two leaves
Latin Pronunciation: by-FOH-lee-uh

bifoliate

Having just two leaves.

bifoliolate

Having just two leaflets per leaf.

Meaning: With two leaves
Latin Pronunciation: by-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: Two forms
Latin Pronunciation: BY-form-ee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BY-form-ay

Meaning: Two forms
Latin Pronunciation: BY-form-iss

Meaning: With two leaves
Latin Pronunciation: by-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Two faced, two fronded, two leaves
Latin Pronunciation: BY-fron-deez

Meaning: Two faced, two fronded, two leaves
Latin Pronunciation: BY-fronz

Meaning: Split into two; twice forked
Latin Pronunciation: by-fur-KAY-tum

bifurcated

Forked or divided into two parts.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-fur-kay-tus
Meaning: two- forked, divided in two.

Meaning: Named for Dr. John Milton Bigelow, 19th century professor of botany at Detroit Medical College
Latin Pronunciation: big-eh-LOV-ee-eye

bigeminate

In two pairs; used in describing pinnate leaves which have only two pairs of pinnae.

bigeneric

A hybrid produced by crossing parents from two genera.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-jib-bus
Meaning: with two swellings or protuberances.

Meaning: Having two types of glands
Latin Pronunciation: by-gland-yoo-LOH-suh

Meaning: Split into two; twice forked
Latin Pronunciation: by-fur-KAY-tuh

Meaning: Having two types of glands
Latin Pronunciation: by-gland-yoo-LOH-sus

Latin Pronunciation: bye-glew-miss
Meaning: two-glumed.

Meaning: Having two types of glands
Latin Pronunciation: by-gland-yoo-LOH-sum

Meaning: The Bignonia family, named for the Abbe Jean Paul Bignon
Latin Pronunciation: big-no-nih-AY-see-ay

Meaning: Named for the Abbe Jean Paul Bignon, early 18th century New Latin librarian to Louis XIV
Latin Pronunciation: big-no-nee-AY-see-um

Meaning: Named for the Abbe Jean Paul Bignon, early 18th century New Latin librarian to Louis XIV
Latin Pronunciation: big-no-nee-AY-see-us

Meaning: Double-yoked
Latin Pronunciation: bih-JOO-guh

Meaning: Named for Deborah Susanna van der Bijl, wife of South African plant pathologist P.A. van der Bijl; 20th century plant collector in South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: BEE-lee-a

Meaning: Double-yoked
Latin Pronunciation: bih-JOO-gum

bilabiate

Two-lipped.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-jew-gus (bij-ew-gus)
Meaning: yoked in pairs, joined.

Meaning: Named for the Abbe Jean Paul Bignon, early 18th century New Latin librarian to Louis XIV
Latin Pronunciation: big-no-nee-AY-see-a

bilamellate

Made up of two plates.

bilateral symmetry

Describes flowers that can be divided into two equal halves by only one line through the middle.

Meaning: Named for Willem Bilderdijk, 19th century Dutch poet
Latin Pronunciation: bil-der-DY-kee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bil-der-DIK-ee-uh

Meaning: Like Bignonia
Latin Pronunciation: big-non-YOY-deez

Meaning: Latinized form of the Aboriginal name
Latin Pronunciation: bil-LIM-bee

Meaning: Two lobes
Latin Pronunciation: bi-LOW-buh

Meaning: Having two lobes
Latin Pronunciation: by-low-BAY-ta

Meaning: Two lobes
Latin Pronunciation: bi-LOW-bum

Latin Pronunciation: bye-loh-bus
Meaning: two-lobed.

binary fission

The division of a single- celled organism into two daughter cells.

Meaning: Paired
Latin Pronunciation: bin-AT-uh

binate

Growing in pairs.

Meaning: Paired
Latin Pronunciation: bin-AT-um

Latin Pronunciation: bye-nay-tus
Meaning: twin, double. binervis

Latin Pronunciation: bye-nerv-iss
Meaning: two-nerved.

binder

Hardened cement paste.

binder twine

Coarse jute or plastic cord for baling hay or tying bundles of wheat or other grain. See also: nursery jute.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-nok-yew-lay-riss
Meaning: two-eyed, two-spotted.

binomial nomenclature

The use of the genus and species names together to identify a given organism in the taxonomic system.

Meaning: Named for Pedro Maria Binot, 19th century nurseryman in South America
Latin Pronunciation: bee-NO-tee-uh

binomial (syn. binary name, syn. binary combination)

A name consisting of two parts, the first being the genus and capitalized, the second being the species and usually lowercased initial with both names being italicized, e.g.,Gypsophila elegans.

bilocular

Two- celled.

bioassay

Determination of relative strength of a substance by testing on an organism.

biocenose (alt. biocoenose, alt. biocoenosis)

All of the interacting organisms living together in specific habitat, usually containing producer, consumer, reducer, and transformer types. See also: ecosystem, community, association.

biochemical oxygen demand (abr. B.O.D.)

A test to detect and measure pollution in water by determining the quantity of oxygen already used up by oxidizable materials.

biochore

A subdivision of the biocycle which contains a group of biotopes which resemble one another; habitat. Examples are grassland, forest and desert.

bioclimate

Microclimate.

bioclimatic law (syn. Hopkins' law)

The generalization that in temperate North America, weather-related events, such as bloom time, can be determined to be similar as you move up or down a mountain 400 feet, or one degree of latitude, or 5 degrees of longitude. In the spring, each of these measurements are eastward or upward and are four days later; in autumn, they are westward or downward and are four days earlier.

bioclimatology

The study of interrelationships between living things and the climate.

biocycle

A subdivision of the biosphere, including saltwater, freshwater and land. Each consists of biochores. See also: biotope.

biodemography

Numerical and mathematical treatment of population problems.

biocoenology (alt. biocoenotics)

The study of communities including qualitative and quantitative analyses.

biodiversity

The totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a specified area, or the entire world.

bioecology

A branch of biology treating interrelationships of both plants and animals among themselves and with their environment. See also: ecology.

biodynamic

Relating to a system of farming that uses only organic materials.

biogeochemical cycle

The circulation of chemical elements (e.g., oxygen, carbon, etc.) from the environment into plants and animals and back again into the environment.

biogeocenose

A specific ecosystem unique to a designated geographic area.

biogenesis (adj. biogenic)

The principle that plants or animals can originate only from other plants or animals. See also: spontaneous generation.

biogeographic region

A biome.

biogeography

The branch of biology that treats the latitude and longitude of the location of plants and animals; range. See also: chorology.

biointization

The chemical treatment of seeds to stimulate growth.

biological clock

The rhythmic repetition of processes in organisms, like the need for sleep in mammals.

biological control

The use of living things to control pests, such as the control of aphids by lady beetles; integrated pest management.

biological efficiency

The ratio of the productivity of an organism or community of organisms to that of its supply of energy. A black bear would have a much higher efficiency hunting in the summer than in winter, so it is more efficient to hibernate during the winter months.

biological equilibrium (syn. biotic balance, syn. balance of nature)

The state of natural control, self-regulation of the numbers of plants and animals in a community, brought about by interactions within and between plants and animals and the effects of environment such as weather. For example, as the numbers of white- footed mice, Paramyscus, rise, grass seeds, Graminae, decrease and the numbers of foxes, Vulpes, increase. See also: life cycle, pyramid of numbers.

biological race (syn. biological strain)

A group of organisms which differ only in their physiological or ecological behavior from other groups in the same species, e.g., woodland white- footed mice, Paramyscus, run in straight lines where meadow white-footed mice run zigzag lines.

biological factor

An influence that results from biological agents, including biotic factors such as lack of sunshine and physiologic factors like hormones. For example, death rates of white-tailed deer, Odocoilus, increase along highways during rutting season at night.

biological spectrum

A percentile tabulation of the plants of a community into the life form classes according to Raunkiaer's classification.

biological resources (syn. biotic resources)

The factors of biodiversity which are of direct, indirect, or potential use to humanity.

biologics

Biological products such as vaccines.

biology

The study of living organisms.

bioluminescence (syn. phosphorescence)

The emission of light by living organisms such as fireflies and jellyfish.

biomass

The total mass of all living organisms in a given area.

biome-type (syn. biorealm)

A group of similar biomes, such as the temperate deciduous biome-type which includes all the deciduous forests of eastern North America, China and Manchuria, and Europe.

biome (syn. biotic formation)

The ecology of a particular habitat, characterized by its unique plant and animal symbiotic relationships, and maintained by local climatic conditions.

bionomics

The study of the relationship of organisms to each other and their environment. See also: ecology.

biometry

The statistical study of organisms.

bioregion

An area defined by social, biological, and geographic criteria, rather than geopolitical jurisdictions.

bioregional management (syn. bioregional planning)

Directional supervision over an area of similar habitat rather than by standard state/county lines, e.g., cooperative public, private, and business environmental planning for a major watershed such as Chesapeake bay.

bios

Plant and animal life.

bioseston

All living components of the seston.

biosphere

That part of the earth and its atmosphere that can support life.

biosynthetic (n. biosynthesis)

Describes a chemical compound produced by a living organism.

biosystem

Ecosystem.

biosystematics

The classification of living organisms that recognizes and differentiates biotic units into taxa on the basis of genetic relationships.

biota (syn. flora and fauna)

All of the living things, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, located in a given area.

biotic

Refers to any aspect of life, but especially to characteristics of entire populations or ecosystems.

biotic area (syn. biotic region)

A general term delineating any large area from adjacent areas on the basis of the composition of its biota.

biotic climax

The type of community capable of lasting for long periods of time under the present soil and climate conditions, in combination with the animals living there, including humans. See also: edaphic climax, physiographic climax, sere.

biotechnology

Applied biological science, especially in genetic engineering and DNA technology.

biotic environment

All living things found in the environment of an organism or community.

biotic potential (syn. reproductive potential, syn. breeding potential)

The natural capacity of an organism to survive and reproduce, which is slowed or controlled by environmental resistance.

biotic factor (syn. biological factor, syn. biotic influence)

Environmental influences caused by plants or animals like shading or trampling. Sometimes used so nonliving effects are included, like landslides. See also: coaction.

biotin

1. A substance which promotes or stimulates growth and repair. 2. One member of the Vitamin B complex.

biotic pressure

The tendency of a species or community to extend its range.

biotic province

A major ecological section of a continent containing one or more regional communities of plants and animals. See also: biome, formation.

biotrophic

Describes an organism which cannot survive or reproduce unless it is on another organism.

biotype

1. A group of organisms sharing a genotype. 2. A particular physical characteristic distinguishing a population of an organism adapted to a particular environment which does not occur in populations of the same species in other environments.

biotope

A region environmentally uniform in conditions and in the flora and fauna which live there.

biovulvate

Having two ovules.

bipartite

Divided into two parts almost to the base.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-par-tye-tus
Meaning: two parted.

Meaning: From the Greek bi (two) penna (feather) and folia (leaf)
Latin Pronunciation: by-pen-ih-FOH-lee-um

Latin Pronunciation: bye-pet-al-us
Meaning: two-petaled.

Meaning: In two parts, wings (refers to placement of leaves on stem)
Latin Pronunciation: by-pin-NAY-tuh

bipinnatifid

Twice pinnatifid. See also: bipinnate.

bipinnate

Twice pinnate; the primary leaflets being again divided into secondary leaflets. See also: bipinnatifid.

Meaning: In two parts, divided wings
Latin Pronunciation: by-pin-uh-TIFF-ih-dum

Latin Pronunciation: bye-pin-at-tif-id-us
Meaning: twice pinnately cut (bipinnatifid).

Meaning: In two parts, divided wings
Latin Pronunciation: by-pin-uh-TIFF-ih-duh

bipinnatisect (alt. 2-pinnatisect)

Refers to a pinnately compound leaf, in which each leaflet is again divided into pinnae.

Latin Pronunciation: bye-pin-nay-tus
Meaning: twice pinnate (bipinnate).

Meaning: In two parts, wings (refers to placement of leaves on stem)
Latin Pronunciation: by-pin-NAY-tum

Latin Pronunciation: bye-punk-tay-tus
Meaning: two- spotted.

bipolar distribution

Refers to a taxon present in both the northern and southern hemispheres with no apparent connection between populations.

Birge's rule

A generalization theorizing that the thermocline is the transition layer in lakes in which the temperature decreases at a rate of one or more degrees for each meter in depth.

Meaning: Of Burma, Asia
Latin Pronunciation: bir-MAY-nik-uh

Birge's rule

A generalization theorizing that the thermocline is the transition layer in lakes in which the temperature decreases at a rate of one or more degrees for each meter in depth.

Meaning: Of Burma, Asia
Latin Pronunciation: bir-MAY-nik-um

Meaning: Of Burma, Asia
Latin Pronunciation: bir-MAY-nik-us

Meaning: Named for Gottlieb Wilhelm Bischoff, 19th century German Professor of Botany at Heidelberg
Latin Pronunciation: biss-CHOFF-ee-uh

Meaning: From the Latin bis (twice) and scutella (flat dish), referring to the fruit shape
Latin Pronunciation: by-SKEW-tel-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:by-skew-TEL-uh

bisect

A line transect which shows the vertical and lateral distribution of roots at the walls of a trench with the above-ground parts of plants along the verge.

Latin Pronunciation: byd-sek-tus
Meaning: cut in two.

bisected

Completely divided into two parts.

biseptate

Having two partitions.

biseriate

Arranged in two rows.

biserrate

Refers to a serrate border where the principal teeth are serrated.

Meaning: Two bristles
Latin Pronunciation: by-SET-um

Meaning: Two bristles
Latin Pronunciation: by-SET-us

Meaning: Of or from Bismark
Latin Pronunciation: biz-MAR-kee-uh

bisexual

A flower having both stamens and pistils. See also: synoicous.

Meaning: Two-spined
Latin Pronunciation: by-spin-OH-suh

Latin Pronunciation: bye-spin-noh-sus
Meaning: twospined.

Meaning: Two-spined
Latin Pronunciation: by-spin-OH-sum

Meaning: Two bristles
Latin Pronunciation: by-SET-uh

Meaning: Two-scaled
Latin Pronunciation: by-SKWA-ma-tuh

Meaning: Named for David Bissett, an American bamboo enthusiast in the early 20th century
Latin Pronunciation: bis-SET-ee-eye

Meaning: Twice-twisted
Latin Pronunciation: bis-TOR-tuh

Meaning: Two sets of three
Latin Pronunciation: by-TER-nat-uh

bistratose

Having two layers of cells.

biternate

Twice ternate; with three pinnae each divided into three pinnules.

Meaning: Two sets of three
Latin Pronunciation: by-TER-nat-um

Latin Pronunciation: bye-ter-nay-tus
Meaning: twice ternate (in double threes).

bitten

Praemorose, with ragged edges as though chewed.

bivalvular (alt. bivalvate)

With two valves.

Meaning: Having two valves
Latin Pronunciation: by-VAL-viss

Meaning: Two-banded
Latin Pronunciation: biv-it-TAY-tus

bivoltine

Refers to organisms which produce two generations each year, like raspberries,Rubus, which produce fruit in late spring and fall.

bivalent

A pair of chromosomes, usually one from each parent.

Meaning: Having two valves
Latin Pronunciation: by-VAL-vee

Meaning: Named for Anton Hendrik Blaauw, 20th century Dutch botanist
Latin Pronunciation: blou-wee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Anton Hendrik Blaauw, 20th century Dutch botanist
Latin Pronunciation: blou-wee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Anton Hendrik Blaauw, 20th century Dutch botanist
Latin Pronunciation: BLOU-wee-eye

black alkaline

Soil with a pH well over 7.5, covered with a dark crust of sodium or potassium carbonates.

Meaning: Named for John Blackstone, 18th century English apothecary and botanist
Latin Pronunciation: blak-STONE-ee-uh

black spot (alt. blackspot)

A fungus appearing as large, fuzzy black spots on rose leaves, especially in wet weather.

blacktop

Asphalt surfacing used for driveways, paths, and roads.

bladdery (alt. bladder-like)

Inflated, with thin walls like the bladder of an animal.

blade

The expanded portion of a leaf, frond, etc.

Meaning: Named by Henrik Freyer for the 19th century Count Ursina Blagay of Slovenia (some references indicate his name was Rihard Ursini, Earl of Polhov Gradec)
Latin Pronunciation: bla-GAY-ah-na

bladdery (alt. bladder-like)

Inflated, with thin walls like the bladder of an animal.

Meaning: This species of Bauhinia was named for Sir Henry Blake, governor of Hong Kong at the turn of the 20th century, and a strong supporter of botany
Latin Pronunciation: blay-kee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Jaques Samuel Blanchet, 19th century Swiss merchant, consul and naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: blan-CHET-ee-eye

Meaning: Named after Jaques Samuel Blanchet, 19th century Swiss merchant, consul and naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: blan-CHET-ee-uh

blanching

Excluding light from the green parts of plants so that they become white and tender; etiolated.

Meaning: Pleasant, mild
Latin Pronunciation: BLAN-duh

Latin Pronunciation: bland-us
Meaning: mild.

Meaning: From the Latin for moth; old name for moth mullein
Latin Pronunciation: blat-TAR-ee-uh

blast

Injury caused by disease or conditions such as hot winds that shrivel buds, branches, etc.

bleed

To have water seep to the surface of cement paste due to settling.

Meaning: Slimy seed
Latin Pronunciation: blen-no-SPER-muh

Meaning: Pleasant, mild
Latin Pronunciation: BLAN-dum

blend

Two or more colors which gradually merge but are distinguishable from a distance of six feet (used in describing dahlias.)

Meaning: Fringed anthers
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-ANTH-er-us

Meaning: Fringed anthers
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-ANTH-er-a

Meaning: Eyelash pappus
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-ih-PAP-pus

Meaning: Fringed tongue
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-ee-GLOT-iss

Meaning: from the Greek blepharis (eyelash) and neuron (nerve); refers to the nerves of the lemma
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-oh-NYOOR-on

Meaning: Fringed leaf
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-oh-FIL-uh

Meaning: Fringed leaf
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-oh-FIL-um

Meaning: Fringed
Latin Pronunciation: bleh-FIL-ee-uh

Meaning: Fringed leaf
Latin Pronunciation: blef-ar-oh-FIL-us

blistered

Where the surface of an organ is puckered, the veins being tighter allowing the tissue to round up.

blight

1. A disease of plants resulting in withering, cessation of growth, and death of parts, especially young tissue. 2. An organism that causes blight, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus.

Meaning: An old name for strawberry-blite, used to describe a bland vegetable
Latin Pronunciation: BLY-tee

Meaning: An old name for strawberry-blite, a coarse weed with red fruit, used as a bland vegetable
Latin Pronunciation: BLY-tum

Meaning: Resembling Blitum (an old name for strawberry-blite, a coarse weed with red fruit, used as a bland vegetable)
Latin Pronunciation: bly-TOY-deez

blizzard

A storm in which high winds drive fine snow and ice crystals, reducing visibility.

bloom

1. A flower or blossom. 2. A whitish, powdery, or waxy covering.

Meaning: Named for Robert Blossfeld, a 20th century German hybridizer
Latin Pronunciation: bloss-FEL-dee-ay

Meaning: Named for Robert Blossfeld, a 20th century German hybridizer
Latin Pronunciation: bloss-fel-dee-AY-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bloss-fel-dee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Robert Blossfeld, a 20th century German hybridizer
Latin Pronunciation: bloss-fel-dee-AY-num
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bloss-fel-dee-AH-num

Meaning: Named for Robert Blossfeld, a 20th century German hybridizer
Latin Pronunciation: bloss-FEL-dee-uh

Meaning: Named for Robert Blossfeld, a 20th century German hybridizer
Latin Pronunciation: bloss-fel-dee-AY-nus
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bloss-fel-dee-AH-nus

blown

1. Past tense of to blossom; already opened, as in a full-blown rose. 2. No longer viable, perhaps from drought or disease, as "blown buds of barren flowers."

blowout

A wind- blown excavation in loose soil.

blossom

The flower, often applied to fruit trees.

Meaning: Named for Carl Ludwig von Blumen, early 18th century taxonomist
Latin Pronunciation: BLOO-me-eye

blunt

Not pointed.

Meaning: From the Greek blyzo (gush forth)
Latin Pronunciation: BLY-zuh

Meaning: Of cattle
Latin Pronunciation: BOAR-ee-us

Meaning: Of cattle
Latin Pronunciation: BOAR-ee-um

Meaning: Of cattle
Latin Pronunciation: BOAR-ee-uh

boat-shaped

Carinate, cymbiform, navicular.

bob-back

To severely dehorn or damage woody plants while attempting to prune, without understanding the process.

Meaning: Named for Emile Marie Bodinieri, 19th century French missionary in China who collected plants
Latin Pronunciation: boh-din-ee-ER-ee

Meaning: Named for Paolo Boccone, 17th century Italian monk and physician
Latin Pronunciation: bok-KOH-nee-uh

Meaning: Named for Boender, possibly Ron
Latin Pronunciation: bo-EN-der-ee

Meaning: Named for Clemens Maria Franz von Boenninghausen, 19th century German homeopathic doctor and author of a local flora
Latin Pronunciation: boen-ing-how-SEN-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Hermann Boerhaave, 18th century Dutch botanist; also spelled Boerhavia
Latin Pronunciation: boer-HAH-vee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Boeotia, near Thebes (northwest of Athens, Greece)
Latin Pronunciation: boh-ee-OH-tik-um

bog (adj. boggy)

1. An area of little or no drainage acidified by rotting vegetation, often with some open water surrounded by a floating mat of sedges, ericaceous shrubs, acidophilous species, and sphagnum mosses. A quagmire, which trembles or gives way underfoot. 2. Loosely, and not technically correct, a marsh, swamp, moor, fen, muskeg, or heath.

Meaning: Named for Hermann Boerhaave, 18th century Dutch botanist
Latin Pronunciation: boer-HAH-vee-uh

bog (adj. boggy)

1. An area of little or no drainage acidified by rotting vegetation, often with some open water surrounded by a floating mat of sedges, ericaceous shrubs, acidophilous species, and sphagnum mosses. A quagmire, which trembles or gives way underfoot. 2. Loosely, and not technically correct, a marsh, swamp, moor, fen, muskeg, or heath.

Meaning: Of or from Bogota, Columbia
Latin Pronunciation: bo-go-TEN-sis

bog soil

A mucky or peaty surface horizon with a peat underlayment.

Meaning: Named for Pierre Edmond Boissier, 19th century Swiss botanist
Latin Pronunciation: boy-see-AIR-ee

Meaning: Named for Jean Alphonse Boisduvali, a French naturalist and physician; this genus is now associated with Epilobium
Latin Pronunciation: bois-du-VAL-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Bogota, Columbia
Latin Pronunciation: bo-go-TEN-see

Meaning: Named for Thomas Felix Bolack, late 20th century governor of New Mexico
Latin Pronunciation: bo-LAK-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Henry Nicholas Bolander, 19th century German who emigrated to the U.S. and became a plant collector in California
Latin Pronunciation: bo-LAN-der-ee

Meaning: From the Greek bolbos (bulb), referring to the bulbous, thick veins
Latin Pronunciation: bol-BY-tis

Meaning: From Greek: bolbos (swelling or bulb) and schoinos (rush, reed), from the supposed difference from the genus Schoenus in having bulbous tubers
Latin Pronunciation: bulb-oh-SKEE-nus

bole

1. The trunk of a tree below the first major branch. 2. The crisscrossed bases of palm leaves.

Meaning: Of or from Bolivia
Latin Pronunciation: boh-liv-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Of or from Bolivia
Latin Pronunciation: boh-liv-ee-AH-nus

Meaning: Of or from Bolivia
Latin Pronunciation: boh-liv-ee-EN-see

Meaning: Named for Dr. Carl Bolle, 19th century German scientist and patron of horticulture
Latin Pronunciation: boh-LEE-uh

Latin Pronunciation: bol-iv-ee-en-sass
Meaning: of Bolivia.

Meaning: Of or from Bolivia
Latin Pronunciation: boh-liv-ee-AH-nuh

bolson

A depression lacking above-ground drainage in an arid or semiarid region, a term primarily used in Mexico and southwestern U.S.

bolt

To produce flowers and seeds prematurely.

Meaning: From Bolivia (country of origin) and cereus (torch, candle)
Latin Pronunciation: boh-liv-ee-KER-ee-us
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:boh-liv-ee-SER-ee-us

Meaning: Named for Dr. Harry Bolus, 19th century South African botanist and orchid collector
Latin Pronunciation: bo-luh-SAN-thus

Meaning: Named for Dr. Harry Bolus, 19th century South African botanist and orchid collector
Latin Pronunciation: bol-LOO-see-uh

Meaning: Named for Dr. Harriet Margaret Louisa Bolus, 20th century South African professor and botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bol-oo-see-AY-ee

Meaning: Named for Dr. Harry Bolus, 19th century South African botanist and orchid collector
Latin Pronunciation: bol-LOO-see-eye

Meaning: From the Greek bombyx (silk), referring to the silken fibers from this tree
Latin Pronunciation: BOM-baks

Meaning: Silk-bearing
Latin Pronunciation: bom-by-SIF-er-uh

bomb

A pressurized can of insecticide or other compound.

Meaning: Silk-bearing
Latin Pronunciation: bom-by-SIF-er-um

Meaning: Silk-bearing
Latin Pronunciation: bom-by-SIF-er-us

Meaning: Silky
Latin Pronunciation: bom-BEE-kin-uh

Meaning: Silky
Latin Pronunciation: bom-BEE-kin-um

Meaning: Silky
Latin Pronunciation: bom-BEE-kin-us

Meaning: Good-night, a specific epithet for a night-flowering morning glory
Latin Pronunciation: BOH-nuh noks

Meaning: Good
Latin Pronunciation: BOW-nuh

Meaning: Originally the genus was named Breweria by Asa Gray, but in 1897, Hans Hallier transferred it to Bonamia; the derivation is obscure
Latin Pronunciation: boh-NAH-mee-a

Meaning: Of or from Buenos Aires
Latin Pronunciation: bon-ar-ee-EN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bon-ar-ee-EN-say

Meaning: Named for M. Bonat, an Italian professor of botany at Padua
Latin Pronunciation: bon-AT-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Latin Pronunciation: bon-ar-ee-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for H.J. Bonatz
Latin Pronunciation: bon-ATZ-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for August Gustav Heinrich Bongard, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bon-GAR-dee-uh

bonitation (alt. ecological bonitation)

The state of well being in a population, reflected by increasing numbers of individuals.

bonsai

1. The art of growing miniaturized trees or shrubs trained for aesthetic effect. 2. A plant grown in such a way.

Meaning: Named for Charles Bonnet, 18th century French botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bon-NEH-tee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bon-NEH-see-uh

Meaning: Good henry
Latin Pronunciation: BOW-nus HEN-ree-kus

bonsai scissors

A cutting tool with large handles and small, very sharp, blades.

Meaning: Of or from the Bongolava area of north western Madagascar
Latin Pronunciation: bon-goh-la-VEN-sis

Meaning: Named for Jacobus Bontius, 17th century Dutch physician in the East Indies
Latin Pronunciation: BON-tee-uh

Latin Pronunciation: boh-nus
Meaning: good.

Meaning: Named for George Boole, 19th century Irish mathematician, logician, and philosopher
Latin Pronunciation: boo-lee-AH-nus

Meaning: Good
Latin Pronunciation: BOW-num

bool and clay

A rough form of masonry using locally available, uncut stone and clay mortar.

Meaning: Named for Dr. Francis Boott, 19th century American botanist and physician
Latin Pronunciation: BOOT-tee-uh

Meaning: From the Greek borassos, referring to the date palm's flower spike, and dendron (tree)
Latin Pronunciation: bor-ras-oh-DEN-dron

Meaning: An ancient name of unknown origin
Latin Pronunciation: bor-AH-go

Meaning: From the Greek borassos, referring to the date palm's flower spike
Latin Pronunciation: bor-RAS-us

Meaning: Named for Gaston de Bourbon, 17th century French Duke of Orleans and patron of botany
Latin Pronunciation: bor-BOH-nee-uh

Meaning: Of or from the island of R?union in the Indian Ocean (formerly called the Ile Bourbon)
Latin Pronunciation: bor-BON-ee-ka

Meaning: Of or from the island of R?union in the Indian Ocean (formerly called the Ile Bourbon)
Latin Pronunciation: bor-BON-ee-kum

Latin Pronunciation: bor-bon-ik-us
Meaning: of Bourbonne (France).

border dike

Man-made ridges of earth to hold irrigation water within certain limits in a field.

border fork

A heavily-constructed garden tool that is shaped like a fork with round tines and is used for digging in garden borders and flower beds.

bordered

Having a margin different from the rest of the leaf.

border irrigation

Flooding fields by the use of border dikes.

border strip

A demarcation surrounding a plot, usually given the same treatment as the plot.

Latin Pronunciation: bor-ee-ay-liss
Meaning: northern.

boreal forest

A forest made up mostly of conifers, such as that reaching across North America from Newfoundland to Alaska.

Meaning: From the North
Latin Pronunciation: bor-ee-AY-lee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bor-ee-AL-ay

bore

A tidal wave with a forward wall of water three feet (one meter) or more in height, advancing upstream in a narrow river estuary.

borer

An insect larva that tunnels into stems and trunks of shrubs, trees, etc.

Meaning: Named for Attila Borhidi, Hungarian botanist and author ofFlora of Cuba
Latin Pronunciation: bor-hid-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Spanish term, meaning from Puerto Rico
Latin Pronunciation: bor-in-KAY-na

Meaning: King Boris III of Bulgaria, 20th century King of Bulgaria
Latin Pronunciation: bor-ISS-ee-eye REE-jis

Meaning: Of or from Borneo Island
Latin Pronunciation: bor-nee-EN-see

Meaning: Named for Joseph Bornm?ller, 20th century botanical collector in the Balkan Peninsula and other places
Latin Pronunciation: born-mew-LER-ee

Meaning: Named for August Borsig, 19th century German industrialist and owner of Borsig Garden
Latin Pronunciation: bor-sig-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for August Borsig, 19th century German industrialist and owner of Borsig Garden
Latin Pronunciation: bor-sig-ee-AY-num

boreal period

The climatic period from about 7500 to 5500 B.C., typified by warm dry conditions.

Meaning: Named for Professor Antonio Borzi, early 20th century Italian botanist and director of the botanical garden of Palermo
Latin Pronunciation: bor-zee-KAK-tus

Meaning: Named for Ernst Gottlieb Bose, 18th century German botanist
Alternative Meaning:Named for Kaspar Bose, author and father of Ernst Gottlieb Bose
Latin Pronunciation: BOZE-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Boschniaki, a Russian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bosh-nee-AH-kee-uh

bosket (alt. bosquet)

A small park or block of woodland with pathways, usually planted with small, understory trees, and often having statuary and waterworks.

bossed

With a conical protrubence rising from the center of a surface, like the bump on a scale of a pine cone.

Meaning: Named for de Boissieu La Martiniere, 18th century physician and botanist
Latin Pronunciation: boss-eye-AY-uh

Meaning: Named for Jean Bosser, 21st century French botanist
Latin Pronunciation: BOS-ser-ee

bostryx (pl. bostryces)

A one-sided helicoid cyme.

botanical garden (alt. botanic garden)

A garden devoted to the culture, study, and exhibition of plants.

botanical

Of or relating to plants or botany.

scientific name (syn. botanical name, syn. technical name)

The name applied to a plant, animal, or other organism, according to the Codes of Nomenclature. Although in some cases a scientific name is changed; it is almost always a much more reliable manner of identifying a plant than the often variable common name. See also: binomial.

botany

1. The scientific study of plant life. 2. A botanical treatise or study.

Meaning: From the Greek bothri (pit, trench) and cheilus (lip), referring to the nectary pit at the base of the lip
Latin Pronunciation: bah-three-oh-KYE-lus

Meaning: From the Greek bothrion (little furrow or pit) and chloa (grass), referring to the distinctive discolored groove in the joints and pedicels
Latin Pronunciation: both-ree-OH-kloh-uh

Meaning: Cluster of grapes
Latin Pronunciation: BOT-rees

Meaning: From the Greek botrys (cluster or bunch of grapes) and phoreo (bearing)
Latin Pronunciation: bot-ree-OH-for-uh

Latin Pronunciation: bot-rye-oy-deez
Meaning: in clusters, grape-like.

Meaning: From the Greek botrys (cluster or bunch of grapes) and phoreo (bearing)
Latin Pronunciation: bot-ree-OH-for-um

Meaning: From the Greek botrys (cluster or bunch of grapes) and phoreo (bearing)
Latin Pronunciation: bot-ree-OH-for-us

botrytis

A group of fungi that causes plant diseases. 2. The disease caused by such fungi.

Meaning: Named for Paolo Emilio Botta, 19th century nautralist who visited California and Hawaii in the early 1800s
Latin Pronunciation: bot-TAY

bottomland

Flood plain; rich deposits of loam left from flood water runoff.

bottom deposits

Those materials composing and overlaying the original basin or channel floor of a waterway.

bottom water

To pour water into a saucer underneath a container of a houseplant or jardiniere, allowing the soil to absorb the amount needed. This is often done on plants whose leaves are harmed by water spots, such as African violets, Saintpaulia spp. Generally any excess is poured off after an hour.

botuliform

Sausage-shaped.

Meaning: Cluster of grapes
Latin Pronunciation: BOT-ris

Meaning: From the island of Bougainville
Latin Pronunciation: boo-gan-vil-lee-AY-num

Meaning: From the island of Bougainville
Latin Pronunciation: boo-gan-vil-lee-AY-nuh

bouquet

1. Flowers picked and arranged in a bunch. 2. A distinctive fragrance.

boulder clay

Unstratified intermix of clay and stones deposited by glaciers. See also: till, drift.

Meaning: Named for Eugene Bourgeau, 19th century French botanical collector
Latin Pronunciation: bor-joo-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Eugene Bourgeau, 19th century French botanical collector
Latin Pronunciation: bor-joo-AH-num

Meaning: Named for Johann Ambrosius Beurer, 18th century German apothecary
Latin Pronunciation: bour-ER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Bourgat, not sure which one
Latin Pronunciation: bour-GAH-tee-eye

Meaning: Named for Claudio and Esteban Boutelou, 19th century Spanish brothers and gardeners
Latin Pronunciation: boo-te-LOO-uh

Meaning: Named for 19th century French naturalist and botanist Louis Bouton who collected in Mauritius
Latin Pronunciation: boo-ton-ee-AH-na
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:boo-ton-ee-AY-na

Meaning: Named for 19th century French naturalist and botanist Louis Bouton who collected in Mauritius
Latin Pronunciation: boo-ton-ee-AH-nus
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:boo-ton-ee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for 19th century French naturalist and botanist Louis Bouton who collected in Mauritius
Latin Pronunciation: boo-ton-ee-AH-num
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:boo-ton-ee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Athelston Bowden who introduced the species
Latin Pronunciation: bow-DEN-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Sir George Ferguson Bowen, first Governor of Queensland (Australia) in the 19th century
Latin Pronunciation: boh-WEN-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Bower, not sure which one
Latin Pronunciation: BOW-er-ee

Meaning: Named for James Bowie, 19th century British botanist and plant collector for the Kew Gardens
Latin Pronunciation: BOW-we-uh

Meaning: Named for James Henry Bowker, and his sister Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Barber, 19th century botanists in South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: bow-KER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for William Bowles, 18th century Irish naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: bowls-ee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bow-leez-ee-uh

Meaning: Named by Veitch in the 1800s to honor John C. Bowring, an avid orchid hobbyist
Latin Pronunciation: bow-ring-ee-AY-na

Meaning: From the Greek brabeion (a prize or something of value)
Latin Pronunciation: bray-be-jum

Meaning: Branched at right angles, arm-like
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-AY-tum

Meaning: Branched at right angles, arm-like
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-AY-tuh

Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-ay-tus
Meaning: branched at right angles (brachiate).

Meaning: Having short stamens
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-and-ruh

Meaning: Having short stamens
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-and-rum

Meaning: Having short stamens
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-and-russ

Meaning: Short flowers
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-ANTH-a

Meaning: Short flowers
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-ANTH-um

Meaning: Short flowers
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-ANTH-us

brachyblast

A short branch or shoot.

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and botrys (grape cluster); referring to the short inflorescences
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-BOT-ree-uh

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and botrys (grape cluster); referring to the short inflorescences
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-BOT-ree-um

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and karpos (fruit)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAR-puh

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and karpos (fruit)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAR-pum

Meaning: Short-calyx
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAL-iks

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and karpos (fruit)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAR-pus

Meaning: Short-horned, short-antennaed
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-SER-us
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brak-ee-KER-us

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and Latin cereus (candle), from the shape of the upright stems
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KER-ee-us
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brak-ee-SER-ee-us

Meaning: Short-horned, short-antennaed
Latin Pronunciation: brak-EYE-sair-uh

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) chaite (bristle)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAY-ta

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) chaite (bristle)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAY-tum

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) chaite (bristle)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KAY-tus

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short), and chiton (tunic), referring to the bristles surrounding the seed in the fruit
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-KY-ton

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and corys (helmet), referring to the flower shape
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-ko-RYE-this

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and elutron (cover or husk), referring to the short glumes
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ky-el-LY-trum

Meaning: Short tongue
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-GLOT-iss

Meaning: From the Greek brachy (short) and chlaina (cloak), referring to the small floral bracts
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-LAY-nuh

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and loma (edge or fringe); refers to the husk-like hairs in the corolla tube
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-LOH-muh

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and loma (edge or fringe); refers to the husk-like hairs in the corolla tube
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-LOH-mum

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and loma (edge or fringe); refers to the husk-like hairs in the corolla tube
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-LOH-mus

Latin Pronunciation: brak-ip-p et-al-us
Meaning: short petalled.

Meaning: With short petals
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-PET-al-um

Meaning: With short petals
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-PET-al-uh

Meaning: With short petals
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-PET-al-us

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and podion (foot), referring to its short pedicels
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-POH-dee-um

Meaning: short-stalked
Latin Pronunciation: bra-CHE-poh-dum

Latin Pronunciation: brak-kip-pod-us
Meaning: short- stalked.

brachypterous

Refers to organisms with short wings.

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short, little) and kome (hair), referring to the short bristles of the pappus; this is the original (and possibly now preserved) form of the more common Brachycome
Latin Pronunciation: brak-kys-koh-mee

Meaning: Short seed
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-SPERM-us

Meaning: With short tubes
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-SY-fon

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and stachys (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-STAK-ee-uh

Meaning: Short footed
Latin Pronunciation: BRAK-ee-puss

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and stachys (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-STAK-ee-um

Meaning: Short seed
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-SPERM-a

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and stachys (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-STAK-ee-us

Meaning: From the Greek brachys (short) and stelma, (crown, garland or wreath), referring to the nature of the corona
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-STEL-muh

Meaning: Short seed
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-SPERM-um

Meaning: Short stamen
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-STEE-mon

Meaning: Short hairs
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-TRY-kuh

Meaning: Short hairs
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-TRY-kus

Meaning: Named for William Dunlop Brackenridge, botanist and horticulturist who accompanied the exploration aboard the Vincennes in the mid-1800s
Latin Pronunciation: brak-en-RIDJ-ee

Meaning: Short hairs
Latin Pronunciation: brak-ee-TRY-kum

brackish

1. Somewhat salty, as water in saline soils or at the union of a river with the ocean. 2. Less correctly, nonsaline water that is distasteful or nauseous because it is stagnant, etc.

bract

1. A more or less modified leaf subtending a flower or belonging to an inflorescence, or sometimes cauline. 2. The similar structure in cryptogams surrounding reproductive organs.

bracteal

Of or pertaining to the bracts.

Meaning: Bract flower, referring to the flowers and bracts forming the appearance of a single large flower head
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-AN-tha

Meaning: Having bracts (modified leaves directly beneath the flower)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-AY-tuh

Meaning: Having bracts (modified leaves directly beneath the flower)
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-AY-tum

bracteate

Having bracts.

Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-ay-tus
Meaning: with bracts (bracteate).

Meaning: Having bracts
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-OH-lair-iss

Meaning: Having bracteoles
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-oh-LAH-tuh

bracteolate

Having bractlets.

Meaning: Having bracts
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-OH-lar-ee

Meaning: Having bracteoles
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-oh-LAH-tum

Meaning: Having bracteoles
Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-oh-LAH-tus

bractlet (syn. bracteole)

A secondary bract, as one upon the pedicel of a flower.

bracteose

With numerous or conspicuous bracts.

Latin Pronunciation: brak-tee-oh-sus
Meaning: bract- bearing.

bractlet (syn. bracteole)

A secondary bract, as one upon the pedicel of a flower.

Latin Pronunciation: brak-tess-enz
Meaning: having bracts.

Meaning: Named for John Bradbury, 19th century English botanist and explorer in the Pacific Northwest
Latin Pronunciation: brad-bur-ee-AH-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brad-bur-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Tyco Brahe, 16th century Danish astronomer
Latin Pronunciation: BRAH-yuh

brambles

Plants of the genusRubus, Rosaceae family, usually prickly and bearing fruit, e.g., raspberries and blackberries.

branch

A secondary woody stem growing off of the trunk or main stem of a woody plant.

Meaning: Of or from Branddraai, South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: brand-drah-ee-EN-sis

bran

The edible broken seed coats of cereal grain, often separated from the flour or meal by sifting.

branchlet

Except for the twig, the youngest and smallest division of a branch.

Meaning: Named after Townshend Stith or his wife Mary Katharine Layne Curran Brandegee, early 20th century American botanists
Latin Pronunciation: bran-DIJ-ee-uh

Meaning: Named after Townshend Stith or his wife Mary Katharine Layne Curran Brandegee, early 20th century American botanists
Latin Pronunciation: bran-dij-ee-AN-uh

Meaning: Named for Dr. Mary Katharine Layne Curran Brandegee, early 20th century American botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bran-DEE-jee-eye

Meaning: Named for Christoph Brasen, 18th century Moravian missionary and plant collector in Greenland and Labrador
Latin Pronunciation: bruh-SEE-nee-uh

Meaning: Named for Dietrich Brandis, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bran-DIS-ee-eye

Meaning: Cactus from Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bra-sil-ih-KAK-tus

Meaning: Cereus (genus name meaniing a wax candle, torch) of Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bra-sil-ih-KER-ee-us
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bra-sil-ih-SER-ee-us

Latin Pronunciation: braz-il-ee-en-siss
Meaning: of or from Brazil.

Meaning: Of or from Brazil
Latin Pronunciation: bra-sill-ee-EN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:bra-sill-ee-EN-say

Meaning: Parodia from Brazil (a genus named for Lorenzo Raimundo Parodi, 20th century Argentinian botanist who specialized in native grasses)
Latin Pronunciation: bra-sil-ih-par-ROH-dee-uh

Meaning: The Brassica (cabbage) family, (formerly Cruciferae)
Latin Pronunciation: brass-ih-KAY-see-ay

Meaning: A date palm (phoenix) named for William Brass, 18th century English botanist and plant collector in Africa
Latin Pronunciation: brass-ee-oh-FEE-niks

Meaning: Named for Josias Braun-Blanquet, 20th century Swiss botanist
Latin Pronunciation: braun blan-KWET-ee-eye

Meaning: Combination of Brassavola (named for William Brass) and Cattleya (named for William Cattley)
Latin Pronunciation: brass-oh-KAT-lee-yuh

Meaning: A trigeneric (three genus) combination of Brassavola (for William Brass); Cattleya (for William Cattley) and Laelia (for one of the Vestal Virgins)
Latin Pronunciation: brass-oh-lay-lee-oh-KAT-lee-yuh

Meaning: Named for Jakob Brauner, German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: braw-NER-ee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brow-NER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Alexander Alexander Carl Heinrich Braun, 19th century German botanist
Alternative Meaning:Named for Dr. J. Pierre Braun, expert on Brazilian cactus and bromeliads
Latin Pronunciation: BRAUN-ee-eye

breeder

A person who applies genetics and other sciences in the orderly practice of improving a taxon.

breccia

Rock composed of angular, often crystalline, pieces in a matrix.

Meaning: Of or from the Brazos area of Texas (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: bra-zos-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Emil Bretschneider, 19th century physician to the Russian Legation and plant collector China
Latin Pronunciation: bret-SHNY-der-ee

Meaning: Short beard
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ih-BAR-bee

Meaning: Prefix indicating short
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee

Meaning: Short beard
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ih-BAR-biss

Meaning: Having short bracts
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-brak-tee-AY-tus

Latin Pronunciation: brev-ik-kaw-liss
Meaning: short stemmed.

Meaning: Short stem
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-KAW-lee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brev-ee-KAW-lay

Meaning: Short flower (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FLOR-uh

Meaning: Short flower (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FLOR-um

Meaning: Short leaves
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FOH-lee-uh

Meaning: Short flower (spike)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FLOR-us

Meaning: Short leaflets
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-foh-lee-AY-tus

Meaning: Short leaves
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: Having short or partial pedicels
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-ped-ih-SEL-LAY-tuh

Latin Pronunciation: brev - if - fronz
Meaning: short-fronded, short-leaved.

Meaning: Short leaves
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Having short or partial pedicels
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-ped-ih-SEL-LAY-tum

Meaning: Having short or partial pedicels
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-ped-ih-SEL-LAY-tus

Meaning: Short peduncles (little feet)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-ped-un-kew-LAY-tuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brev-ee-ped-un-kew-LAH-tuh

Meaning: Short peduncles (little feet)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-ped-un-kew-LAY-tum
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brev-ee-ped-un-kew-LAH-tum

Latin Pronunciation: brev-ip-ed-unk yew-lay-tus
Meaning: with short flower stalk.

Meaning: Short hair
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-PY-luh

Latin Pronunciation: brev-ip-eez
Meaning: short-footed (as
Meaning: short-petioled).

Meaning: Short hair
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-PY-lum

Meaning: Short hair
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-PY-lus

Meaning: From the Greek brevi (shortened or abbreviated) and rima (fissures or cracks)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-rim-OH-sa

Meaning: from brevi- (short) and radiatus (spreading rays)

Meaning: Short-beaked
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ih-ROS-tra

Latin Pronunciation: brev-iss
Meaning: short.

Meaning: With a short scape (flower stalk)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SKAY-pa

Meaning: With a short scape (flower stalk)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SKAY-pum

Meaning: Short bristles
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ih-SET-uh

Meaning: With a short scape (flower stalk)
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SKAY-pus

Meaning: Short bristles
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ih-SET-um

Latin Pronunciation: brev-iss-see-tus
Meaning: short-

Meaning: With short spines
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SPIN-us

Meaning: With short spines
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SPIN-um

Meaning: With short spines
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-SPIN-uh

Meaning: Short spiral
Latin Pronunciation: breh-vee-SPEE-ruh

Latin Pronunciation: brev- viss - im - us
Meaning: very short.

Meaning: With a short style
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-STY-luh

Meaning: With a short style
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-STY-lus

Meaning: With a short style
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-STY-lis

Meaning: named for Charles Brewer-Carias, 20th century Venezuelan explorer and naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: broo-KAY-ree-uh

Meaning: Wtih a short style
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-STY-lum

Meaning: Having shortened tubes
Latin Pronunciation: brev-ee-too-buh-LAH-ta

Meaning: Named in honor of William Henry Brewer, 19th century American botanist
Latin Pronunciation: broo-WEAR-ee

Meaning: Named for William Henry Brewer, 19th century American botanist and Professor of Agriculture at Yale
Latin Pronunciation: broo-er-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for William Henry Brewer, 19th century American botanist
Latin Pronunciation: broo-er-ee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Johann Philipp Breyn, 17th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: BRAY-nee-uh

Meaning: Resembles Brickellia, genus named for Dr. John Brickell, 18th century Irish physician who lived in Georgia (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: brik-kel-ee-OY-deez

Meaning: Named for William Brigham, the first director of Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: brig-AM-ee-uh

Latin Pronunciation: bril-lee-an-tiss-imus
Meaning: very brilliant.

Meaning: Named for Munro Briggs, an early 20th century botanist at Kew Gardens
Latin Pronunciation: BRIGS-see-uh

bristle (adj. bristly)

A hair-like prickle.

Meaning: Named for Marie de Brimeur, 16th century Dutch noblewoman
Latin Pronunciation: brim-MEW-ruh

Meaning: Named for Britton
Latin Pronunciation: brit-toh-nee-AY-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:brit-toh-nee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Miss Grace Violet Britten, assistant to several curators of the Albany Museum Herbarium
Alternative Meaning:Named for Mrs. Lillian Louisa Britten, 20st century lecturer in botany at Rhodes University in South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: brit-TEN-ee-ay

Meaning: Named for Nathanial Lord Britton, or his wife Elizabeth Gertrude (Knight) Britton; both were early 20th century botanists
Latin Pronunciation: brit-TON-ee-eye

bristle (adj. bristly)

A hair-like prickle.

Latin Pronunciation: brev-iss-payth-us
Meaning: short spathed.

Meaning: From the Greek Briza (genus name for a grass, meaning Greek for sleepy or nodding) and anthos (flower)
Latin Pronunciation: bree-ZAN-tha

Meaning: Greek for sleepy or nodding, ancient name for this grass
Latin Pronunciation: BRY-zhuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:BREE-zhuh

Meaning: Like Briza (ancient Greek name for this grass, meaning Greek for sleepy or nodding)
Latin Pronunciation: bry-ZOY-deez

broad-leafed (alt. broad-leaved)

Refers to a plant which does not have coniferous needles or grass-like leaves.

broadcast seeding

Sowing across large areas by scattering seed mechanically or by hand.

broad-leafed (alt. broad-leaved)

Refers to a plant which does not have coniferous needles or grass-like leaves.

broadleaf evergreen (alt. broad-leaved evergreen)

An evergreen plant that is not a conifer.

broadleaf (alt. broad-leaved)

Having broad leaves, rather than needle-like or scale-like ones.

Meaning: named for Giovanni Battista Brocchi, 19th century Italian scientist, botanist and director of the Botanic Garden of Brescia
Latin Pronunciation: broh-CHIN-ee-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:broh-KEE-nee-uh

broad base terrace

An embankment built to carry runoff water along a contour, usually with a rounded crown 15 to 30 feet (5 to 10 meters) wide, with gently sloping sides and a dished channel along the top.

Meaning: Resembling Briza (genus name for Quaking Grass)
Latin Pronunciation: bree-zee-FOR-mis

brochidodromous

Describes leaves with pinnate venation in which the secondary veins do not terminate at the margins but rather are joined in a series of prominent arches. See also: acrodromous, eucamptodromous, semicraspedodromous.

Meaning: The Bromelia (bromeliad) family, named for Olof (or Olaf) Bromel, 17th century Swedish botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bro-mee-lee-AY-see-ee

bromeliad

Any of the mostly epiphytic herbaceous plants of the family Bromeliaceae found primarily in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including the pineapple and Spanish moss.

Meaning: Having foliage like Bromelia (genus named for Olof (Olaf) Bromel, 17th century Swedish botanist)
Latin Pronunciation: bro-mee-lee-ih-FOH-lee-a

Meaning: Having foliage like Bromelia (genus named for Olof (Olaf) Bromel, 17th century Swedish botanist)
Latin Pronunciation: bro-mee-lee-ih-FOH-lee-um

Meaning: Having foliage like Bromelia (genus named for Olof (Olaf) Bromel, 17th century Swedish botanist)
Latin Pronunciation: bro-mee-lee-ih-FOH-lee-us

Meaning: Named for Sir Edward French Bromhead, 19th century Baronet of Thurby Hall, Lincolnshire
Latin Pronunciation: brom-HED-ee-uh

Meaning: Useful in treating bronchitis
Latin Pronunciation: bron-kee-AL-lis

Meaning: Named for Adolphe Th?odore Brongniart, 19th century French botanist
Latin Pronunciation: bron-YART-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Adolphe Th?odore Brongniart, 19th century French botanist, and Kentia, an outdated name for Howea
Latin Pronunciation: bron-yart-ee-KENT-ee-uh