Meaning: Named for Engelbert Kaempfer, 18th century German physician and botanist who travelled throughout the east including two years in Japan
Latin Pronunciation: KAMP-fer-ee

Meaning: Named for Engelbert Kaempfer, 18th century German physician and botanist who travelled throughout the east including two years in Japan
Latin Pronunciation: kamp-FER-ee-a

Meaning: Found on the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona

Meaning: The vernacular name for the plant in Japan
Latin Pronunciation: KAH-kee

Meaning: Meaning is unknown
Latin Pronunciation: kal-lih-MEER-iss
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kal-ee-MARE-us

Meaning: Variant spelling of kalmiiflora, with flowers like Kalmia (genus named for Pehr Kalm, 18th century Swedish naturalist traveling in Canada)
Latin Pronunciation: kal-mee-ay-FLOR-uh

Latin Pronunciation: kal-mih-ee-floh-rus
Meaning: Laurel (Kalmia)-flowered.

Meaning: Named for Pehr Kalm, 18th century Swedish naturalist traveling in Canada
Latin Pronunciation: KAL-mee-eye

Meaning: With flowers like Kalmia (genus named for Pehr Kalm, 18th century Swedish naturalist traveling in Canada); also spelled kalmiaeflora
Latin Pronunciation: kal-mee-eye-FLOR-uh

Meaning: With flowers like Kalmia (genus named for Pehr Kalm, 18th century Swedish naturalist traveling in Canada)
Latin Pronunciation: kal-mee-eye-FLOR-um

Meaning: With flowers like Kalmia (genus named for Pehr Kalm, 18th century Swedish naturalist traveling in Canada)
Latin Pronunciation: kal-mee-eye-FLOR-us

Meaning: Resembles mountain laurel or Kalmia, which was named for Pehr Kalm
Latin Pronunciation: kal-mee-OP-sis

Meaning: From the Greek kalos (beautiful) and Panax (ginseng)
Latin Pronunciation: kal-OH-pan-aks
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kal-oh-PAN-aks

Meaning: Variant spelling of kemaonensis; meaning of or from Kumaun, a region of Western Himalaya (India)
Latin Pronunciation: kuh-may-oh-NEN-sis

Meaning: Alternate spelling of kamtschatica; meaning of or from Kamchatka peninsula area of Russia
Latin Pronunciation: kam-SHAY-ti-kuh

Meaning: Of or from Kamchatka peninsula area of Russia
Latin Pronunciation: kam-SHAY-ti-kuh

Meaning: Named for Kampon Tansacha, director of Nong Nooch botanical garden in Chonburi, Thailand
Latin Pronunciation: kam-PON-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from Kamchatka peninsula area of Russia
Latin Pronunciation: kam-SHAY-ti-kum

Meaning: Of Kansu (Gansu), the northwestern province of China. Reginald Farrer introduced several plants from this area
Latin Pronunciation: kan-soo-EN-see

Meaning: Of Kansu (Gansu), the northwestern province of China. Reginald Farrer introduced several plants from this area
Latin Pronunciation: kan-soo-EN-sis

Meaning: Of or from the Karas Mountains, Namibia (South Africa)
Latin Pronunciation: kar-as-MON-tan-uh

Latin Pronunciation: kam-chat-ik-us
Meaning: of Kamchatka (Siberia).

Meaning: Of or from Kamschatka, Russia
Latin Pronunciation: kam-SHAY-ti-kus

Meaning: Of or from the Karas Mountains, Namibia (South Africa)
Latin Pronunciation: kar-as-MON-tan-um

Meaning: Of or from the Karatau (Kara Tau) mountains in Central Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kar-uh-taw-vee-EN-see

Meaning: Named for Grigorii Silich (Silovich) Karelin, 19th century Russian naturalist
Latin Pronunciation: kar-el-LIN-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from the Karatau (Kara Tau) mountains in Central Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kar-uh-taw-vee-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AH-na
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-winz-kee-AY-na

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer; also spelled karwinskianus
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AY-nus
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-vinz-kee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-WINZ-kee-a
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-VINZ-kee-a

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AH-num
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-vinz-kee-AY-num

Meaning: Variant of karvinskianum; named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AH-num
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-vinz-kee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-WINZ-kee-eye
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-VINZ-kee-eye

Meaning: Variant of karvinskianus; named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AH-nus
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-vinz-kee-AY-nus

Meaning: Variant of karvinskiana; named for Wilhelm Friedrich Karwinsky von Karwin, 19th century German explorer
Latin Pronunciation: kar-winz-kee-AH-na
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kar-vinz-kee-AY-na

Latin Pronunciation: kash-meer-ee-ay-nus
Meaning:

karyotype

Characterization of the chromosome set of an individual or group, described in terms of number, length, centromere position, etc.

katabolism

The process of breaking down protoplasm with the liberation of energy and the formation of simple substances.

karyoevolution

Changes in the chromosome set of a number or structure occurring through evolutionary change.

Meaning: Of or from Katanga, South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: kuh-tawng-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Katanga, South Africa
Latin Pronunciation: kuh-tawng-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for various women named Katherine, including Lady Katherine Saunders, 19th century English collector and botanical artist
Alternative Meaning:Named for Mrs. Katherine L. Clint (wife of Morris Clint); Katherine Hawkes Chatham, or Mrs. Katherine K. Muller
Latin Pronunciation: KATH-er-in-ay

Meaning: Named for General Konstantin von Kaufmann , 19th century governor of Tashkent (Turkestan)
Latin Pronunciation: kof-man-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for David Daniels Keck, 20th century American botanist, Director of the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and expert on Penstemon among others
Latin Pronunciation: kek-ee-EL-uh

Meaning: Named for Takiyu Kawakami, early 20th century plant collector in Japan
Latin Pronunciation: ka-wak-am-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Dr. Thomas Henry Kearney, 20th century American authority on Malvaceae and the flora of Arizona
Latin Pronunciation: KERN-ee-AH-na

keel (adj. keeled)

1. A central dorsal ridge, like the keel of a boat. 2. The two anterior united petals of a papilionaceous flower.

Meaning: From the Greek keletikos (charming)
Latin Pronunciation: kel-EE-tih-kum

Meaning: Named for David Daniels Keck, 21st century American botanist
Latin Pronunciation: KEK-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Albert Kellogg, 19th century American physician and California botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kel-LOG-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Ito Keisuke, 19th century Japanese botanist called called the father of modern Japanese botany
Latin Pronunciation: KAY-skee-ee

kelp

Any of various large brown seaweeds, sometimes used to enrich poor soil.

Meaning: From Keelung, a shipping harbor in Formosa (now Taiwan)
Latin Pronunciation: KEE-lung in-syoo-LAR-ee

Meaning: Named for Harlan P. Kelsey, 20th century American nurseryman
Latin Pronunciation: KEL-see-yuh

Meaning: From Keelung, a shipping harbor in Formosa (now Taiwan)
Latin Pronunciation: KEE-lung in-syoo-LAR-iss

Meaning: Named for Liubov Manucharovna Kemularia-Nathadze (or Natadze), 21st century Georgian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kem-uh-LAR-ee-ay

Meaning: Of or from Kumaun, a region of Western Himalaya (India); also spelled kamaonensis
Latin Pronunciation: kuh-may-oh-NEN-sis

Meaning: Of or from Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain
Latin Pronunciation: ken-ee-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain
Latin Pronunciation: ken-ee-EN-sis

Meaning: Named for Douglas Henry Kent, 20th century British botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kent-ee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Like Kentia, referring to an old name for Howea forsteriana
Latin Pronunciation: ken-tee-OP-sis

Meaning: Spiny plant
Latin Pronunciation: ken-troh-FY-tuh

Meaning: Spiny plant
Latin Pronunciation: ken-troh-FY-tum

Meaning: Spiny plant
Latin Pronunciation: ken-troh-FY-tus

Meaning: Of or from Kentucky, a state in the eastern U.S.
Latin Pronunciation: ken-TUK-ee-a

Meaning: Of or from Kentucky (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: ken-TUK-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Oswald de Kerchove de Denterghem, 19th century president of the botanical society of Ghent
Latin Pronunciation: ker-kov-ee-AY-nuh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:ker-shov-ee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Oswald de Kerchove de Denterghem, 19th century president of the botanical society of Ghent
Latin Pronunciation: KER-kov-ee
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:KER-shov-ee

Meaning: Carmine (vivid red color)
Latin Pronunciation: ker-mes-SY-num

kernel

The nucleus of an ovule or seed; everything inside the coat.

Meaning: Carmine (vivid red color)
Latin Pronunciation: ker-mes-SY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Johann Simon von Kerner, 19th century professor of botany at Stuttgart
Latin Pronunciation: KER-ner-uh

Meaning: Carmine (vivid red color)
Latin Pronunciation: ker-mes-SY-nus

Meaning: Named for Anton Joseph Kerner von Marilaun, 19th century professor of botany at Innsbruck and author of Natural History of Plants
Latin Pronunciation: KER-ner-ee

Meaning: Named for Arthur Kerr, who originally collected this plant in Thailand, and doxa (Greek word meaning glory)
Latin Pronunciation: ker-ee-oh-DOKS-uh

Meaning: Possibly named for Anton Joseph Kerner von Marilaun, 19th century professor of botany at Innsbruck and author of Natural History of Plants
Latin Pronunciation: ker-NER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Arthur Francis George Kerr, 20th century Irish physician and botanist in Thailand
Latin Pronunciation: KER-ee-eye

key

A dry, one- seeded fruit with a wing, particularly that of the maples; a samara.

Meaning: Of or from the Florida Keys, a chain of islands south of the Florida peninsula (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: kee-EN-see

Latin Pronunciation: kew-en-siss
Meaning: of Kew Gardens (England).

Meaning: Of or from the Florida Keys, a chain of islands south of the Florida peninsula (U.S.)
Latin Pronunciation: kee-EN-sis

Meaning: Latinized form of the Swahili vernacular name for this plant
Latin Pronunciation: ky-GEL-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysia
Latin Pronunciation: kin-uh-bal-oo-EN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kin-uh-bal-oo-EN-say

Meaning: Of or from Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysia
Latin Pronunciation: kin-uh-bal-oo-EN-sis

kingdom

One of the primary taxonomic categories into which natural objects are commonly classified. There are currently five kindoms used: Plantae, Animalia, fungi, Monera (bacteria) and Protista (protozoans, some types of algae, etc.).

Meaning: Of or from Kilimandscharo (Mt. Kilimanjaro), Africa
Latin Pronunciation: kil-ih-man-SHAR-ih-kum

Meaning: Named for Frank Kingdon-Ward, 20th century English botanist in Asia
Latin Pronunciation: king-don-WARD-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Captain Phillip Parker King, 19th century surveyor of the Australian coastline
Alternative Meaning:Alternatively, named for Philip Gidley King, Governor of New South Wales from 1800 to 1807
Latin Pronunciation: KING-ee-a

Meaning: Named for Captain Phillip Parker King, 19th century surveyor of the Australian coastline
Latin Pronunciation: king-ee-AN-a
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:king-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for Captain Phillip Parker King, 19th century surveyor of the Australian coastline
Latin Pronunciation: king-ee-AN-um
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:king-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Captain Phillip Parker King, 19th century surveyor of the Australian coastline
Latin Pronunciation: king-ee-AN-us
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:king-ee-AH-nus

Meaning: Named for Clarence King, 19th century geologist on the California Geological Survey
Latin Pronunciation: KING-ee-eye

Meaning: From the Japanese ki (yellow) renge (lotus blossom) and shoma (hat)
Latin Pronunciation: kir-en-geh-SHOW-muh

Meaning: Originated from the word "kizo", the name given the plant by Siebold
Latin Pronunciation: kee-so-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Kirk; the person commemorated depends on the specific epithet
Latin Pronunciation: KIR-kee-eye

Meaning: Alternate spelling of Kitaibelia; named in honor of Paul Kitaibel, 19th century Hungarian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kit-ay-BEE-luh

kitchen garden

A garden where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown for use in cooking.

Meaning: Variant spelling of kiusianum; meaning of or from Kyushu (a large island of Japan)
Latin Pronunciation: kee-yoo-see-AH-num

Meaning: Variant spelling of kiusiana; meaning of or from Kyushu (a large island of Japan)
Latin Pronunciation: kee-yoo-see-AH-nuh

Meaning: Of or from Kyushu, a large island of Japan
Latin Pronunciation: key-oo-see-AY-nus

Meaning: Of or from Kyushu, a large island of Japan; also spelled kiushianum
Latin Pronunciation: key-oo-see-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Dr. Jacob Theodor Klein, 18th century German zoologist
Latin Pronunciation: KLINE-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Kyushu, a large island of Japan; also spelled kiushiana
Latin Pronunciation: key-oo-see-AY-nuh

Meaning: Possibly named for Mrs. Jacob Theodor Klein, wife of18th century German zoologist
Latin Pronunciation: KLINE-ee-ay

Meaning: Named for Christoph Knaut, 17th century German botanist in Central America and the Carribbean
Latin Pronunciation: NAW-tee-uh

Meaning: Named after Joseph Knapp, Vienna botanist
Latin Pronunciation: NAP-ee-eye

Meaning: Shaped like Kleinia (genus named for Dr. Jacob Theodor Klein, 18th century German zoologist)
Latin Pronunciation: kline-ee-ay-FOR-mis

Meaning: Shaped like Kleinia (genus named for Dr. Jacob Theodor Klein, 18th century German zoologist)
Latin Pronunciation: kline-ee-eye-FOR-miss

Meaning: NNamed for Karl Knippel
Latin Pronunciation: ni-pel-ee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Thomas Andrew Knight, 19th century president of the Horticultural Society of London and renowned pomologist (pome fruit specialist)
Latin Pronunciation: NY-tee-uh

knot garden

An elaborately designed garden consisting of flowers, herbs, and/or low shrubs arranged in intricate, geometric, knot-like patterns when seen from above.

knotted

Having nodes or lumps.

knees

When growing in a swamp, the above-water spongy roots of cypress,Taxodium. These provide air to the interior systems of the tree.

Meaning: Named for Frank Knowlton, 20th century American botanist
Latin Pronunciation: nohl-TOH-nee-eye

Meaning: From the Japanese name for this species of Magnolia
Latin Pronunciation: KOE-bus

Meaning: Named for Johann Gerhard Koenig, 18th century Danish naturalist and botanist
Latin Pronunciation: ko-NIG-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Rudolf Albrecht Koelliker, 19th century Swiss scientist
Latin Pronunciation: kee-lih-KER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for George Ludwig Koeler, 18th century German botanist at Mainz
Latin Pronunciation: kee-LER-ree-uh
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:ko-LER-ree-uh

Meaning: Intergeneric hybrid of Koellikeria (named for RA Koelliker) and Kohleria (named for Michael Kohler)
Latin Pronunciation: ke-lih-koh-LER-ee-uh

Meaning: Named for Michael Kohler, a 19th century Swedish teacher
Latin Pronunciation: koh-LER-ee-uh

Meaning: Of or from Khokand, Turkistan
Latin Pronunciation: koh-KAH-nee-ka

Meaning: Named for Ji?? Kolbek, professor of botany at Prague, Czech Republic
Latin Pronunciation: kol-BAK-ee

Meaning: Of or from Khokand, Turkistan
Latin Pronunciation: koh-KAH-nee-kus

Meaning: Of or from Khokand, Turkistan
Latin Pronunciation: koh-KAH-nee-kum

Meaning: Named for Kolpakowski, an early 20th century botanist and explorer who discovered several new tulip species
Latin Pronunciation: kol-pa-kow-skee-AY-nuh

Meaning: From the vernacular name of this species, native to the Amur region of eastern Asia
Latin Pronunciation: koh-loh-MIK-tuh

Meaning: Named for Kolpakowski, an early 20th century botanist and explorer who discovered several new tulip species
Latin Pronunciation: kol-pa-kow-skee-AY-num

Meaning: Of or from Korea
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ay-EN-see
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kor-ee-EN-say

Meaning: Of or from Korea
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ay-EN-sis
Alternative Self-Pronouncing:kor-ee-EN-sis

Meaning: One of the vernacular names for this plant in Asia; also the food derived from its tubers; also spelled conjac and konnyaku
Latin Pronunciation: KON-jak

Meaning: Of or from Kongbo, in southeastern Tibet
Latin Pronunciation: kong-boh-EN-sis

Meaning: Of or from Kongbo, in southeastern Tibet
Latin Pronunciation: kong-boh-EN-see

Meaning: Of or from Korea; also spelled coreana
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Of or from Korea; also spelled coreanum
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Of or from Korea; also spelled coreanus
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ee-AH-nus

Meaning: Named for General N. J. Korolkov, 19th century Russian botanist who collected plants in Central Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kor-ol-KOV-ee-eye

Latin Pronunciation: koh-ree-ay-nus
Meaning: of or from Korea.

Meaning: Named for Nedeljko (Nedelyko) Kosanin, early 20th century Yugoslavian botanist
Latin Pronunciation: ko-san-IN-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Korthals, 19th century German botanist who introduced the genus
Latin Pronunciation: kor-THAL-see-uh

Meaning: Named for Theodor Kotschy, 19th century Austrian botanist and collector in North African and western Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kot-shee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Prince Kotschoubey, Russian prince and patron of horticulture

Meaning: Named for Theodor Kotschy, 19th century Austrian botanist and collector in North African and western Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kot-shee-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Theodor Kotschy, 19th century Austrian botanist and collector in North African and western Asia
Latin Pronunciation: kot-shee-AY-nus

Meaning: Named after Matsuo Koyama, Japanese botanist
Latin Pronunciation: Koy-am-ay

Meaning: Named after Matsuo Koyama, Japanese botanist
Latin Pronunciation: Koy-am-ai

Meaning: From the Japanese word for the plant; translation: to consider; or thought, idea or opinion
Latin Pronunciation: KOO-sa

Meaning: Named for Wolfgang Krahn, 20th century cactus collector
Latin Pronunciation: KRON-ee-eye

Meaning: Named for Theodor Kotschy, 19th century Austrian botanist and collector in North African and western Asia
Latin Pronunciation: KOT-shee-eye

Meaning: Named for Johann Georg Heinrich Kramer, 18th century Hungarian botanist and military physician
Latin Pronunciation: kray-MER-ee-a

Meaning: Named for Christian Ferdinand Friedrich von Krauss, 19th century German naturalist and museum keeper who travelled in S. Africa
Latin Pronunciation: krau-see-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Christian Ferdinand Friedrich von Krauss, 19th century German naturalist and museum keeper who travelled in S. Africa
Latin Pronunciation: krau-see-AY-nus

Meaning: Named for Christian Ferdinand Friedrich von Krauss, 19th century German naturalist and museum keeper who travelled in S. Africa
Latin Pronunciation: KRAU-see-eye

Meaning: Named for Christian Ferdinand Friedrich von Krauss, 19th century German naturalist and museum keeper who travelled in S. Africa
Latin Pronunciation: krau-see-AY-num

Meaning: Named for Leopold Krug, 19th century German-born businessman and amateur zoologist and botanist who collected in South America
Latin Pronunciation: krug-ee-AH-na

Meaning: Named for Leopold Krug, 19th century German-born businessman and amateur zoologist and botanist who collected in South America
Latin Pronunciation: krug-ee-AH-num

Meaning: Named for John Kruse, 19th century Australian pharmacist and chemist
Latin Pronunciation: kroos-ee-AH-nuh

Meaning: Named for Leopold Krug, 19th century German-born businessman and amateur zoologist and botanist who collected in South America
Latin Pronunciation: KRUG-ee-eye

krummholz (syn. elfin forest)

Scrubby, dwarfish growth of trees, often forming a distinctive zone at the tree line of mountains.

Meaning: Variant of kunmingense, meaning of or from Kunming, (capital city of Yunnan Province China)
Latin Pronunciation: koo-ming-EN-see

Meaning: Named for Carl Sigismund Kunth, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kun-thee-AY-nus

Meaning: Of or from Kunming (capital city of Yunnan Province China); also spelled kumingense
Latin Pronunciation: koon-ming-EN-see

Meaning: Named for Carl Sigismund Kunth, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kun-thee-AY-nuh

Meaning: Named for Carl Sigismund Kunth, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kun-thee-AY-num

Meaning: Of or from the area of western Asia inhabited by the Kurds
Latin Pronunciation: KUR-dee-kum

Meaning: Of or from the area of western Asia inhabited by the Kurds
Latin Pronunciation: KUR-dee-kus

Meaning: Of or from Guangxi Zhuang in southwestern China
Latin Pronunciation: kwangz-ee-ENS-ee

Meaning: Named for Carl Sigismund Kunth, 19th century German botanist
Latin Pronunciation: KUN-thee-eye

Meaning: Of or from the area of western Asia inhabited by the Kurds
Latin Pronunciation: KUR-dee-kuh

Meaning: Named for Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz, 19th century botanist and expert in Musa (banana)
Latin Pronunciation: KURZ-ee-eye

Meaning: Of or from Guangxi Zhuang in southwestern China
Latin Pronunciation: kwangz-ee-ENS-is

kwongan

The sclerophyllous vegetation of the sand plains of south-western Western Australia.

Meaning: Named for Peter Kylling, 17th century Danish botanist
Latin Pronunciation: kil-LING-a