Botanary, part ii

Let us consider some common species epithets. Stellata, lanceolata and ovata are three that immediately come to mind. These ones refer to shape. Stellate, starlike, often refers to the form of the flowers. Think of stellar performances. They have starlike qualities. Think also of Maianthemum stellatum. The flowers look like white stars.

Lanceolata means of a lance-shape. Lanceolata is often a descriptor of leaves which are wider below the middle and taper to a narrow point at the other end. Solidago lanceolata orPlantago lanceolata should illustrate that.

Thirdly, ovata again often refers to leaves, but may mean seeds, petals or sepals. The English ending -ate is used and not -al because it is referring to a flat object. Leaves are mostly flat; an egg is not.

Next a few colour references for you: straminea, ochroleuca and viridis are all colours.Straminea or stramineum refers to something having the colour of straw, a rusty golden colour. Ochroleuca or ochroleucum is a compound word, meaning yellowish-white. Andviridis means green.

Refer to the images; they demonstrate the use of these words in botany. For all of your botanical word and lingo queries, try the Botanary here:http://davesgarden.com/guides/botanary/

A further note: whether or not the epithet ends in -us, -um, -a or other sometimes depends on the genus name and whether it is a masculine, feminine or plural word.

Maianthemum stellatum, by Ross Hall

Plantago lanceolata, by Sean Blaney

Spiranthes ochroleuca, photo by David Mazerolle

Alnus viridis, photo by Sean Blaney