The Self-pronouncing Dictionary of Plant Names: quadrangularis to zonatus
(Revised Edition) Prepared by Ralph Bailey, Garden Editor, House & Garden
(Copyright 1948, 1962) by the Literary Guild of America, Inc.

Q

quadrangularis--kwad ran gew lay riss: four-angled.
quadrangulatus--kwad ran gew lay tus: four-angled.
quadratus--kwad ray tus: in quadruplicate, in fours, four-sided (squared).
quadricolor--kwad rik kol or: of four colors.
quadridentatus--kwad rid en tay tus: four-toothed.
quadrifidus--kwad rif id us: divided into four segments.
quadrifolius--kwad rif foh lee us: four-leaved.
quad rip art tye tus: four-parted.
quercifolius--kwer sif foh lee us: with leaves like an Oak (Quercus).
quercinus--kwer sye nus: relating to the Oak.
quinatus--kwin nay tus: five-fold (parts), in fives.
quinquecolor--kwin kwek kol or: five-colored.
quinqueflorus--kwin kwef floh rus: five-flowered.
quinquefolius--kwin kwef foh lee us: five-leaved.
quinquelocularis--kwin kwel lok yew lay riss: with five cells or compartments (locules).
quinquenervis--kwin kwen nerv iss: five-veined.
quinquepunctatus--kwin kwep unk tay tus: five-spotted.

R

racemiflorus--ras em if floh rus: with flowers borne in racemes (types of elongated flower clusters).
racemosus--ras em moh sus: with flowers in a type of elongated cluster (racemose) as compared to panicles, spikes, umbels, etc.
radiatus--ray dee ay tus: with petals in rays, radiate (as with Daisies).
radicans--rad ik anz: rooting (along stem).
radicatus--rad ik kay tus: rooted (strongly).
radicosus--rad ik koh sus: many rooted.
radicum--rad ik um: referring to roots.
radiosus--ray dee oh sus: with many rays.
ramentosus--ram en tay see us: with a hairy covering.
ramiflorus--ram if floh rus: with branching inflorescence (flowering parts).
ramosissimus--ram oh siss im us: much branching.
ramosus--ram moh sus: branched.
rapaceus--rap pay see us: Turnip-like.
rapunculoides--rap unk yew loy deez: with bell-like flowers.
rariflorus--rayr if floh rus: loose- or scanty-flowered.
rarus--rayr us: uncommon.
raucus--raw kus: raw (looking).
reclinatus--rek lin nay tus: bent backward.
rectus--rek tus: straight, upright.
recurvatus--rek kur vay tus: curved back (recurved).
recurvifolius--rek kur vif foh lee us: backcurving leaves.
recurvus--rek kurv us: curved back.
redivivus--red iv vye vus: literally, restored to life.
reduplicatus--red dew plik kay tus: redoubled (of multiple flowers or parts).
reflexus--ref flex us: bent back (reflex).
refractus--ref frak tus: broken.
refulgens--ref fulj enz: shining brightly.
regalis--reg gay liss: majestic, regal.
reginae--rej jye nee: referring to a queen (royal).
reginus--ree jin nus: kingly (royal), regal.
religiosus--rel lij ee oh sus: venerable; also referring to religious uses, sacred.
remotus--rem moh tus: with widely separated parts.
reniformis--ren if form iss: kidney-shaped (reniform).
repandens--rep pan denz: wavy-margined.
repens--ree penz: creeping.
reptans--repp tanz: creeping.
resectus--ress sekk tus: cut-off (or seemingly so).
resiniferus--rez in niff er us: producing resin.
resinosus--rez in noh sus: having resin (resinous).
reticulatus--ret ik yew lay tus: netted, net-veined (reticulate).
retortus--ret tort us: twisted back.
retroflexus--ret roh flex us: bent backward.
retusus--ret tew sus: notched (at apex).
reversus--rev verss us: reversed.
revolutus--rev ol lew tus: rolled back (revolutus).
rex: the King.
rhamnifolius--ram nif foh lee us: with leaves like the Buckthorn (Rhamnus).
rhamnoides--ram noy deez: Buckthorn-like.
rhizophyllus--rye zoh fill us: root-leaved (stemless).
rhodanthus--roh danth us: Rose-flowered.
rhodochilus--roh dok kye lus: Rose-lipped.
rhodocinctus--roh doh sink tus: red-girdled.
rhodoneurus--roh doh new rus: red-veined.
rhombifolius--rom bif foh lee us: with rhomboid leaves.
rhomboideus--rom boy dee us: rhomboidal (quadrilateral with only opposite sides and angles equal).
ricinifolius--riss in if foh lee us: with leaves like Castor-oil plant(Ricinus).
rigens--rye jenz: stiff, rigid.
rigidulus--rij jid yew lus: somewhat stiff.
rigidus--rij id us: stiff.
ringens--rin jenz: gaping (ringent).
riparius--rip pay ree us: of river banks.
rivalis--riv vay liss: of brooks.
rivularis--riv yew lay riss: growing by brooks.
robustus--roh bust us: sturdy, stout.
rosaceus--roh zay see us: Rose-like.
robustispinus--roh bus tiss spye nus: stout-spined.
rosaeflorus--roh zee floh rus: Rose-flowered.
roseus--roh zee us: rosy (color).
rostratus--ross tray tus: beaked (rostrate).
rosularis--roh zew lay riss: in rosettes.
rotatus--roh tay tus: disc-like flower limb or corolla (rotate).
rotundifolius--roh tun dif foh lee us: round-leaved.
rotundus--roh tund us: round.
rubellus--roo bell us: reddish.
rubens--roo benz: red or ruddy.
ruber--roo ber: red.
ruberrimus--roo behr im us: very red.
rubescens--roo bess senz: reddish, becoming red.
rubicundus--roo bik kund us: red, ruddy.
rubiginosus--roo bij in noh sus: rusty (color).
rubricaulis--roo brik kaw liss: red-stemmed.
rubrifolius--roo brif foh lee us: red-leaved.
rubrofructus--roo broh frook tus: red-fruited.
rubronervis--roo broh nerv iss: red-veined.
rubrus--roob rus: red.
rudis--roo diss: wild, not cultivated.
rufescens--roo fess senz: reddish.
rufinervis--roo fin nerv iss: reddish-veined.
rufus--roof us: reddish, red.
rugosus--roo goh sus: wrinkled (rugose).
runcinatus--run sin nay tus: backwardly-toothed.
rupestris--roo pest riss: rock-growing.
rupicolus--roo pikk ol us: growing on cliffs or ledges.
rusticanus--rust ik kay nus: pertaining to the country.
rusticus--rust ik us: belonging to the country.
ruthennicus--rooth enn ik us: Russian (Ruthenian).
rutilans--root il anz: red, reddening.

S

saccatus--sak kay tus: bag-like (saccate).
saccharatus--sak ar ray tus: sugary (containing sugar).
sacchariferus--sak ar riff er us: sugar-bearing.
saccharinus--sak ar rye nus: sugary.
saccharum--sak ar um: sugar.
sagittalis--saj it tay lis: arrow-like.
saggittatus--saj it tay tus: arrow-like (sagittate).
sagittifolius--saj it if foh lee us: arrow-leaved.
salicarius--sal ik kay ree us: like the willow (Salix).
salicifolius--sal iss if foh lee us: willow-leaved.
salicinus--sal liss in us: willow-like
salinus--sal lye nus: salty.
sambucinus--sam bew sye nus: like the elder (Sambucus).
sanctus--sank tus: holy (of sacred tradition).
sandwicensis--sand wis sen siss: of the Sandwich or Hawaiian Islands.
sanguinalis--san gwin nay liss: blood-red.
sanguineus--san gwin ee us: blood-red.
sapidus--sap id us: savory.
sapientus--sao ee ent us: pertaining to the wise.
saponaceus--sap on nay see us: soapy.
sarcodes--sar koh deez: fleshy, flesh-like.
sarmentosus--sar men toh sus: having runners.
sarniensis--sar nee en siss: of the Islands of Guernsey.
sativus--sat tye vus: cultivated.
saurocephalus--saw roh sef al us: lizzard-headed.
saxatillis--sak sat il iss: growing among rocks.
saxicolus--sak sik ol us: growing among rocks.
saxosus--sak soh sus: pertaining to rocks.
scaber--skay ber: rough (scabrous).
scabrellus--skay brell us: somewhat rough.
scaberrimus--skay behr im us: very rough.
scandens--skand enz: climbing (scandent).
scaposus--skay poh sus: with (distinctive) scapes.
scariosus--skay ree oh sus: with leaf-like bracts or parts.
sceptrum--sept rum: scepter (-like).
schistosus--shiss toh sus: readily divided.
schizopetalus--skye zoh pet al us: cut-petaled.
schizophyllus--skye zoh fill us: cut-leaved.
schoenanthus--skee nanth us: reed-flowered.
schoenoprasus--skee noh pray sus: reed-like.
scholaris--skol lay riss: pertaining to a school.
scilloides--sil loy deez: squill (Scilla)-like.
sclerocarpus--sklehr oh karp us: hard-fruited.
sclerophyllus--sklehr oh fill us: hard-leaved.
scoparius--skop pay ree us: broom-like.
scopulorum--skop yew loh rum: of rocky places.
scoticus--skot ik us: of Scotland.
sculptus--skulp tus: cut, carved.
scutellaris--skew tel lay riss: dish-shaped.
scutum--skew tum: (like a) shield.
sebiferus--seb bif er us: tallow-bearing.
sebosus--seb boh sus: full of tallow or grease.
secundus--sek kund us: side-flowering (secund).
secundiflorus--sek kun dif floh rus: with one-sided flower cluster.
securigerus--sek yew rij er us: with axe-like parts.
segetus--sej eet us: of cornfields.
semialatus--sem ee al lay tus: semi or somewhat singed.
semicaudatus--sem ik kaw day tus: partially tailed.
semicylindricus--sem iss sil lind rik us: somewhat cylindrical.
semipinnatus--sem ip pin nay tus: partly or imperfectly pinnate.
semperaurescens--sem per aw ress senz: ever-golden.
semperflorens--sem per floh renz: ever-blooming.
sempervirens--sem per vye rens: ever-green.
senilis--sen il iss: old, hoary.
sensibilis--sen sib il iss: sensitive.
sensitivus--sen sit tye vus: sensitive.
sepium--seep ee um: of hedges.
septangularis--sep tan gew lay riss: seven-angled.
septemfidus--sep tem fye dus: seven-parted.
septemlobus--sep tem loh bus: seven-lobed.
septempunctatus--sep tem punk tay tus: seven-spotted.
septentrionalis--sep tent ree on nay liss: of the north.
septiceps--sep tiss seps: seven-headed.
sepultus--sep pull tus: buried.
sericeus--ser riss ee us: silky.
sericoferus--ser ik koh fer us: having silk, silky.
serotinus--ser rot in us: late-flowering or -fruiting.
serpens--ser penz: creeping.
serpentinus--ser pen tye nus: looping, waving; snake-like.
serratifolius--ser at if foh lee us: tooth-leaved.
serratus--ser ray tus: saw-toothed (serrate).
serrulatus--ser rew lay tus: somewhat toothed.
sesquipedalis--ses kwip ed day liss: one and a half foot lengths (roughly 18 inches).
sessiflorus--sess if floh rus: stalkless-flowered.
sessifolius--sess if foh lee us: stalkless-leaved.
sessilifolius--sess il if foh lee us: stalkless-leaved.
sessilis--sess il iss: stalkless (sessile).
setaceus--set tay see us: bristle-like (setaceous).
setigerus--set tij er us: bristly.
setispinus--set iss spye nus: bristly-spined.
setosus--set toh sus: bristly.
setulosus--set tew loh sus: with many small bristles (setose).
sexangularis--sex an gew lay riss: six-angled.
sibiricus--sye bihr ik us: of Siberia.
siculus--sik yew lus: with or like a little dagger.
signatus--sig nay tus: marked, notable.
siliceus--sil liss ee us: growing in sandy places.
silvaticus--sil vat ik us: of the woods.
silvestris--sil vest riss: pertaining to the woods.
simplex--sim plex: unbranched.
simplicicaulis--sim pliss ik kaw liss: with unbranched stems.
simplicifolius--sim pliss if foh lee us: with simple (single, not compound) leaves.
simulans--sim yew lanz: similar (type).
sinensis--sin nen siss: of China.
sinicus--sin ik us: Chinese.
sinuatus--sin yew ay tus: wavy-margined (sinuate).
sinuosus--sin yew oh sus: wavy-edged (sinuate).
sitchensis--sit chen siss: of Sitka (Alaska).
soboliferus--sob ol lif er us: bearing creeping rooting stems or shoots.
socialis--soh see ay liss: companionable.
solaninus--sol on nye nus: potato-like.
solaris--soh lay riss: of the sun.
solidus--sol id us: solid (not hollow).
somniferus--som nif er us: sleep inducing.
sorbifolius--sorb if foh lee us: with ash (Sorbus)-like leaves.
sordidus--sord id us: foul (appearance, odor).
spadiceus--spay diss ee us: with a spadix.
sparsiflorus--spar sif foh lee us: few-leaved.
sparsus--spar sus: scanty, few (parts).
sparteus--spart ee us: pertaining to Broom.
spathaceus--spath ay see us: with a spathe.
spathulatus--spath yew lay tus: spoon-shaped (spatulate).
speciosissimus--spee see oh siss im us: very showy.
speciosus--spee see oh sus: showy, handsome.
spectabilis--spek tab il iss: exceptionally showy.
sphacelatus--sfass el lay tus: withered.
sphaericus--sfeer ik us: spherical.
sphaerocarpus--sfeer ok karp us: round-fruited.
sphaerocephalus--sfeer oh sef al us: round-headed.
sphaeroideus--sfeer royd ee us: sphere-like.
sphaerostachyus--sfeer oh stak ee us: round-spiked.
spicatus--spye kay tus: spiked; or with flower spikes, raceme-like clusters of stalkless flowers (spicate); spike-like.
spicigerus--spye sij er us: having spikes.
spiculifolius--spik yew lif foh lee us: sharp pointed-leaved.
spinosissimus--spye noh siss im us: very spiny.
spinifex--spin if fex: spiny, prickly.
spinosus--spye noh sus: with many spines.
spinuliferus--spin yew lif er us: having small spines.
spinulosus--spin yew loh sus: small- or soft-spined.
spiralis--spye ray liss: spiral (arrangement).
spirellus--spye rell us: (parts in) small spirals.
splendens--splen denz: showy.
splendidissimus--splen did diss im us: most showy.splend id us: handsome, showy.
spumarius--spew may ree us: frothy, with froth.
spurius--spew ree us: false.
squalens--skway lenz: daubed, filthy-looking.
squalidus--skwal id us: filthy-looking or smelling.
squamatus--skwam may tus: with scale-like leaves or bracts (squamate).
squamigerus--skwam mij er us: scaly.
squamosus--skwam moh sus: with many scales.
squarrosus--skwar roh sus: with spread or recurved parts.
stamineus--stam min ee us: with prominent stamens.
stans--stanz: upright, erect.
stellaris--stel lay tus: starry, star-like.
stellatus--stel lay tus: star-like (stellate).
stellulatus--stel yew lay tus: somewhat star-like.
stenocephalus--sten oh sef al us: narrow-headed.
stenogynus--sten noj in us: with narrow stigma.
stenopetalus--sten oh pet al us: narrow-petaled.
stenophyllus--sten oh fill us: narrow-leaved.
stenopterus--sten nop ter us: narrow-winged.
sterilis--stehr il iss: infertile (sterile).
stignaticus--stig mat ik us: referrin to markings; also stigmas.
stigmosus--stig moh sus: much marked; also refers to stigmas.
stipulaceus--stip yew lay see us: with stipules (small organs at leaf bases).
stipularis--stip yew lay riss: with small organs (stipules) at leaf bases.
stipulatus--stip yew lay tus: with stipules at leaf bases, often prominent.
stoloniferus--stoh lon nif er us: producing runners that take root (stolons).
stramineus--stram min ee us: straw-colored.
strangulatus--stran gew lay tus: constricted.
streptocarpus--strep toh karp us: twisted-fruited.
streptopetalus--strep toh pet al us: twisted-petaled.
streptophyllus--strep toh fill us: twisted-leaved.
streptosepalus--strep toh sep al us: twisted-sepaled.
striatulus--strye at yew lus: faintly striped.
striatus--strye ay tus: striped (striated).
strictiflorus--strik tif floh rus: erect-flowered.
strictus--strikt us: upright, erect.
strigillosus--strye jil loh sus: with sharp hairs.
strigosus--strye goh sus: covered with sharp, flat-pressed hairs (strigose).
striolatus--strye ol lay tus: somewhat striped.
strobiliferus--stroh bil lif er us: bearing small cones (strobiles).
strobus--stroh bus: specific name of white pine.
strumarius--strew may ree us: referring to tumors or ulcers.
strumatus--strew may tus: with tumors (or swellings).
strumosus--strew moh sus: with tumor-like swellings.
stylosus--stye loh sus: with prominent styles (the connection between flower stigma and ovary).
styracifluus--stye rass sif lew us: flowing with gum (storax).
suaveolens--swav vee ol enz: pleasant (fragrance).
suavis--sway viss: pleasant, sweet.
suavissimus--swav viss im us: very sweet (fragrance).
subacaulis--sub ak kaw liss: nearly stemless.
subalpinus--sub al pye nus: nearly a true alpine.
subauriculatus--sub aw rik yew lay tus: inconspicuously "eared".
subcarnosus--sub kar noh sus: somewhat fleshy.
subcordatus--sub kor day tus: nearly heart-shaped.
subdivaricatus--sub div ar ik kay tus: slightly divergent.
subedentatus--sub ee den tay tus: nearly toothless.
suberectus--sub ee rek tus: nearly straight; rather erect.
suberosus--soo ber roh sus: cork-barked, corky.
subfalcatus--sub fal kay tus: somewhat sickle-shaped.
subglaucus--sub glaw kus: somewhat downy; bluish.
subhirtellus--sub her tell us: somewhat hairy.
sublunatus--sub lew nay tus: somewhat crescent-shaped.
submersus--sub mer sus: (growing) underwater.
subperennis--sub per renn iss: almost perennial.
subpetiolatus--sub pet ee ol lay tus: partially with petioles (leaf stalks).
subsessilis--sub sess il iss: nearly stalkless.
subsinuatus--sub sin yew ay tus: somewhat wavy-margined.
subterraneus--sub ter ray nee us: underground.
subtomentosus--sub toh men toh sus: almost covered with hairs.
subulatus--sub yew lay tus: awl-shaped.
subvolubilis--sub vol lew bil iss: rather twining.
succulentus--suk kew lent us: fleshy, succulent.
suecicus--swess ik us: of Sweden.
suffrutescens--suf frew tess senz: becoming shrubby, shrub-like.
suffruticosus--suf frew tik koh sus: rather shrubby.
sulcatus--sul kay tus: furrowed.
sulphureus--sul few ree us: yellow.
sumatranus--soo mat tray nus: of Sumatra.
superbus--soo perb us: very showy.
superciliaris--soo per sil ee ay riss: eyebrow-like.
surculosus--sur kew loh sus: producing suckers.
surinamensis--sur in am men siss: of Surinam (Dutch Guiana).
suspensus--sus pen sus: hanging suspended.
sylvaticus--sil vat ik us: of the forests.
sylvestris--sil vess triss: of woods and forests.
sylvicolus--sil vik ol us: growing in woods.
syphiliticus--sif il lit ik us: presemably once supposed to be a remedy for syphilis.
syriacus--sihr rye ak us: of Syria.
syringanthus--sihr in ganth us: lilac (Syringa)-flowered.
systylus--siss stye lus: with joined styles.

T

tabularis--tab yew lay riss: flattened (parts).
tabuliformis--tab yew lif form iss: table-like.
taedigerus--tee dij er us: torch-bearing, resin-bearing.
taitensis--tye ten siss: from Tahiti.
tamariscifolius--tam ar iss sif foh lee us: tamarisk-leaved.
taraxicifolius--tar ax iss sif foh lee us: with leaves like the dandelion (Taraxicum).
tardiflorus--tar dif floh rus: late flowering.
tardivus--tar dye vus: late.
tataricus--tat tar ik us: from old Tartary (Central Asia).
taureus--taw ree us: referring to a bull or ox.
taurinus--taw rye nus: bull-like.
taxifolius--tax if foh lee us; yew (Taxus-leaved.
technicus--tek nik us: specialized.
tectorus--tek tohr us: pertaining to a roof (house).
tectus--tek tus: concealed.
temulentus--tem yew lent us: unsteady (drunken).
tenacissimus--ten ass siss im us: very strong or tenacious.
tenax--ten ax: strong, tenacious.
tenebrosus--ten eb roh sus: of dark, shady places.
tenellus--ten nell us: slender, tender, soft.
tentaculatus--ten tak yew lay tus: with short, projecting parts.
tenuicaulis--ten yew ik kaw liss: slender-stemmed.
tenuiflorus--ten yew if floh rus: slender-flowered.
tenuifolius--ten yew if foh lee us: slender-leaved.
tenuilobus--ten yew il loh bus: slender-lobed.
tenuior--ten yew ee or: rather slender.
tenuis--ten yew iss: slender, thin.
tenuissimus--ten yew iss im us: very slender or thin.
teres--teer eez: circular in cross-section, cylindrical (terete).
teretifolius--ter et if foh lee us: with leaves round or roundish in cross-section.
terminalis--ter min nay liss: terminal (at end of stem, as with flowers, or branch).
ternatus--ter nay tus: in threes (ternate).
ternifolius--ter nif foh lee us: with leaves in threes.
terrestris--ter rest riss: of the earth.
tessellatus--tess el lay tus: in a pattern of squares (tessellate).
testaceus--tess tay see us: light brown, brick-toned; also (testaceous) having a prominent outer seed coat.
testiculatus--tess tik yew lay tus: with testicle-like parts.
testudinarius--tess tew din nay ree us: tortoise- or tortoise shell-like.
tetracanthus--tet rak kanth us: quadruple-thorned.
tetragonus--tet ray on us: four-angled.
tetrandrus--tet rand rus: four-anthered.
tetranthus--tet ranth us: four-flowered.
tetraphylius--tet raf fill us: four-leaved.
tetrapterus--tet rap ter us: four-winged.
tetraquetrus--tet rak kwet rus: four-cornered.
tetragonolobus--tet rag on noh lob us: with a four-angled pod.
texanus--tex ay nus: from Texas.
textilis--tex til iss: used in weaving.
theiferus--tee iff er us: tea-bearing or tea-like.
thermalis--therm may liss: of warm places.
thibeticus--tib bet ik us: from or of Tibet.
thuyoides--thew yoy deez: arborvitae (Thuja )-like.
thyrsiflorus--thir sif floh rus: with flowers borne in a thyrse (a form of dense flower cluster).
thyrsoides--thir soy deez: like a thyrse (form of dense flower cluster).
tibeticus--tib bet ik us: from Tibet.
tigrinus--tig rye nus: tiger-striped or -colored.
tinctorius--tink toh ree us: notably colored (suggesting dyes).
tinctus--tink tus: notably colored.
tipuliformis--tip yew lif form iss: shaped like a daddy-long-legs.
tomentosus--toh men toh sus: densely covered with matted hairs.
torosus--tor roh sus: unevenly cylindrical (torose).
tortilis--tort il is: twisted.
tortuosus--tor tew oh sus: twisting or zigzag (tortuose).
tortus--tort us: twisted.
torulosus--tor oo loh sus: somewhat twisted.
toxicarius--tox ik kay ree us: poisonous.
toxicus--tox ik us: poisonous.
toxiferus--tox iff er us: poison-producing.
trachypleurus--trak ip ploor us: rough-ribbed or -veined.
transparens--trans pay renz: transparent.
trapeziformis--trap ee zif form iss: with four unequal sides.
trapezioides--trap ee zee oy deez: trapezoid-like (with four unequal sides).
tremuloides--trem yew loy deez: resembling the quaking aspen.
tremulus--trem yew lus: quivering, trembling.
triacanthophorus--trye ak anth off or us: bearing three spines.
triacanthos--trye ak kanth us: three-spined.
triandrus--trye and rus: three-anthered.
triangularis--trye an gew lay riss: three-angled.
triangulatus--trye an gew lay tus: three-angled.
triangulus--trye ann gew lus: three-angled.
tricaudatus--trye kaw day tus: three-tailed.
trichocalyx--trik oh kay lix: with a hairy calyx.
trichocarpus--trik oh karp us: hairy-fruited.
trichophyllus--trik oh fill us: hairy-leaved.
trichosanthus--trik oh santh us: hairy-flowered.
trichospermus--trik oh sperm us: hairy-seeded.
trichotomus--trye kot om us: three-branched or -forked.
tricolor--trye kol or: three-colored.
tricornis--trye korn iss: three-horned.
tricostatus--trye kos tay tus: three-ribbed.
tricuspidatus--trye kusp id day tus: with three stiff, sharp points (cusps).
tridactylus--trye dak til us: three-fingered.
tridens--trye denz: with three teeth.
tridentatus--trye den tay tus: three-toothed.
trifidus--triff is us: three-parted or thrice-cut.
triflorus--trye floh rus: three-flowered.
trifoliatus--trye foh lee ay tus: three-leaved (or with three leaflets).
trifoliolatus--trye foh lee oh lay tus: with three leaflets.
trifolius--trye foh lee us: three-leaved.
trifurcatus--trye fur kay tus: thrice-forked.
trigynus--trye jye nus: with three pistils.
trilineatus--trye lin ee ay tus: three-lined.
trilobus--trye loh bus: three-lobed.
trimestris--trye mest riss: pertaining to a three-month period.
trinervis--trye nerv iss: three-veined.
trinotatus--trye noh tay tus: three-marked or -spotted.
tripartitus--trye par tye tus: three-parted.
tripetalus--trye pet al us: three-petaled.
triphyllus--trye fill us: three-leaved.
tripteris--trip ter iss: three-winged.
tripunctatus--trye punk tay tus: three-spotted.
triquetrus--trye kwet rus: three-cornered.
tristachyus--trye stak ee us: three-spiked.
tristis--triss tiss: bitter, dull.
triternatus--trye ter nay tus: thrice in threes (triternate).
triumphans--trye umff anz: excelling (triumphant).
trivialis--triv ee ay liss: common, widespread.
tropicus--trop ik us: of tropical regions.
truncatus--trunk kay tus: cut square off (truncate).
tsus-simensis--suss sim men siss: named after Japanese Island of Tsus-sima.
tuberculatus--too ber kew lay tus: with small tubers (tubercles); hence tuberculate.
tuberculosus--too ber kew loh sus: with small tubers; knotted (roots).
tuberosus--too ber roh sus: having swollen underground stems (tubers).
tubiflorus--too bif floh rus: tubular-flowered.
tubulosus--too bew loh sus: with tubes or tube-like parts (tubulose).
tulipiferus--too lip piff er us: with tulip-like flowers.
tumidus--too mid us: swollen.
turbaniformis--tur ban if form iss: turban-shaped.
turbinatus--tur bin nay tus: top-shaped.
turgidus--tur jid us: full (turgid).
typhinus--tif fye nus: smoky; also, perhaps, relating to fever.
typicus--tip ik us: according to standard; normal or typical form.

U

ukranikus--yew kran ik us: from the Ukraine.
uliginosus--yew lij in noh sus: of wet or marshy places.
ulmifolius--ulm if foh lee us: elm (Ulmus)-leaved.
ulmoides--ulm moy deez: elm (Ulmus)-like.
umbellatus--um bel lay tus: with clusters of flowers whose stems rise from a common point (umbels).
umbellulatus--um bel yew lay tus: with small umbel-like flower clusters.
umbraculiferus--um brak yew liff er us: umbrella-like.
umbraculiformis--um brak yew lif form iss: umbrella-shaped.
umbrosus--um broh sus: growing in shade.
undatus--un day tus: wavy, waving.
undulatifolius--un dew lat if foh lee us: wavy-leaved.
undulatus--un dew lay tus: wavy, wavy-edged (undulate).
unguiculatus--un gwik yew lay tus: clawed, narrow-shanked (unguiculate).
unguipetalus--un gwip pet al us: with clawed petals.
unicolor--yew nik kol or: one-colored.
unicornis--yew nik korn iss: one-horned.
unidentatus--yew nid den tay tus: one-toothed.
uniflorus--yew nif floh rus: one-flowered.
unilateralis--yew nil lat er ray liss: one-sided.
univittatus--yew niv it tay tus: one-striped.
urceolatus--ur see ol lay tus: urn-shaped.
urens--yew renz: stinging, burning (to touch).
urentissimus--yew ren tiss im us: sharply stinging.
urophyllus--yew roh fill us: tail-leaved.
urostachyus--yew roh stak ee us: with tail-like spikes.
ursinus--ur sye nus: referring to the bear.
usitatissimus--yew sit at tiss im us: very useful.
ustalatus--yus tal lay tus: burned (looking), sere.
utilis--yew til iss: useful.
utriculatus--yew trik yew lay tus: having a small, one-seeded fruit (utriculate).
utriculosus--yew trik yew loh sus: having a small, one-seeded fruit.
uvarius--yew vay ree us: (parts) resembling bunches of grapes.
uva-ursi--yew vuh oor sye: (grape-bear) specific name under genus Arctostaphylos.
uviferus--yew vif er us: having grape-like fruit clusters.

V

vagans--vay ganz: wandering.
vaginalis--vaj in nay liss: sheathed.
vaginatus--vaj in nay tus: sheathed (vaginate).
validus--val id us: strong.
variabilis--vay ree ab il is: of many forms.
varians--vay ree anz: variable.
variatus--vay ree ay tus: variable.
varicosus--vay rik koh sus: irregularly swollen.
variegatus--vay ree eg gay tus: variegated.
varifolius--vay rif foh lee us: with variable leaves.
variformis--vay ree if form iss: of diverse forms.
varius--vay ree us: varying.
vegetatus--vej et tay tus: vigorous-growing.
vegetus--vej et us: vigorous.
velaris--vel lay riss: veiled, with veil-like parts.
velutinus--vel yew tye nus: velvety.
venenatus--ven en nay tus: poisonous.
venosus--ven noh sus: notably-veined.
ventricosus--ven trik koh sus: unevenly-swollen (as flowers and fruits), ventricose.
venustus--ven nuss tus: charming, handsome.
verecundus--vehr ek kund us: modest.
veris--vehr iss: true, true-to-type.
vermiculatus--ver mik yew lay tus: worm-like.
vernalis--ver nay liss: pertaining to spring, spring-blooming.
vernus--vern us: associated with spring-time.
verrucosus--vehr roo koh sus: with warty protuberances (verrucose).
verruculosus--vehr rook yew loh sus: somewhat warty.
versicolor--ver sik kol or: variously colored.
verticillaris--ver tiss sil lay riss: (leaves) in whorls around stem (verticillate).
verticillatus--ver tiss sil lay tus: whorled, circling about a stem (as verticillate leaves).
verus--vehr us: true (to type, standard or classification).
vescus--vesk us: weak.
vespertinus--vess per tye nus: evening-flowering; pertaining to evening.
vestitus--vess tye tus: covered, clothed (with down, hairs, etc.).
villosus--vil loh sus: soft-hairy (villose).
vimineus--vim min ee us: twiggy, interlaced in appearance.
viniferus--vye nif er us: wine grape (wine)-bearing.
vinosus--vye noh sus: full of wine.
violaceus--vye ol lay see us: violet (color).
violescens--vye ol less senz: becoming violet-toned.
virens--vye renz: green.
virescens--vye ress senz: becoming green, greenish.
virgatus--vir gay tus: wand-like, twiggy.
virginalis--vir jin nay liss: white.
virgineus--vir jin ee us: white.
virginianus--vir jin ee ay nus: from Virginia.
virginicus--vir jin ik us: from Virginia.
virginiensis--vir jin ee en siss: from Virginia.
viridiflorus--vihr id if floh rus: green-flowered.
viridifolius--vihr id if foh lee us: green-leaved.
viridis--vihr is iss: green.
viridissimus--vihr id diss im us: intensely green.
viridulus--vihr rid yew lus: greenish.
viscidulus--viss sid yew lus: somewhat sticky.
viscidus--viss sid us: sticky.
viscosus--viss koh sus: sticky.
vitaceus--vye tay see us: grape (Vitis)-like.
vitalbus--vye tal bus: denoting a white-flowered vine.
vitellinus--vye tel lye nus: dull yellowish-red.
vitifolius--vye tif foh lee us: grape (Vitis)-leaved.
vitis-idaea--vye tiss eye dee ah: a specific name, denoting Grape of Mt. Ida (Greece) applied to a member of the genus Vaccineum.
vittatus--vit tay tus: striped.
vittigerus--vit tij er us: having stripes.
viviparus--vye vip ar us: having organs which reproduce while still growing on the parent plant.
volgaricus--vol gar ik us: from the Volga River region.
volubilis--vol yew bil iss: twining.
volutus--vol yew tus: roll-leaved.
vomitorius--vom it toh ree us: emetic.
vulcanicus--vul kay nik us: pertaining to volcanoes or their regions.
vulgaris--vul gay riss: common.
vulgatus--vul gay tus: common.

W

washingtonianus--wash ing ton ee ay nus: from Washington (state).
wolgaricus--wol gay rik us: see volgaricus.

X

xanthacanthus--zanth ak kanth us: with yellow thorns or spines.
xanthinus--zanth in us: yellow.
xanthocarpus--zanth oh karp us: yellow-fruited.
xantholeucus--zanth oh lew kus: yellowish-white.
xanthophyllus--zanth oh fill us: yellow-leaved.
xanthorrhizus--zanth or rye zus: yellow-rooted.

Y

yedoensis--yed oh en siss: from Yeddo (Japan).
yunnanensis--yew nan nen siss: from Yunnan (China).
yodogavus--yod og gay vus: from Yodogowa (Japan).

Z

zebrinus--zeb rye nus: zebra-striped.
zinniaeflorus--zin nih ee floh rus: Zinnia-flowered.
zonalis--zoh nay liss: zoned or banded.
zonatus--zoh nay tus: zoned, banded.