List of plant family names with etymologies

Since the first edition of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plants have been assigned one epithet or name for their species and one name for their genus, a grouping of related species.^[1] Related genera are in turn grouped into families.^[2] Each family's formal name ends in the Latin suffix -aceae and is derived from the name of a genus that is or once was part of the family.^[3]

The table below contains seed-bearing families from Plants of the World by Maarten J. M. Christenhusz (lead author), Michael F. Fay and Mark W. Chase, with two updated families^[a] from Plants of the World Online. The second column gives the family's original type genus, unless that name is no longer accepted in taxonomic databases. The fourth column gives an associated meaning, derivation or person.^[2]

LG: derived from a Greek word (G), a Latin word (L), another language (–), or a personal name (P)

Ba: listed in Ross Bayton's The Gardener's Botanical^[4]

Bu: listed in Lotte Burkhardt's Index of Eponymic Plant Names^[5]

CS: listed in both Allen Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names and William T. Stearn's Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners^[6]

Gl: listed in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants^[7]

Qu: listed in Umberto Quattrocchi's four-volume CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names^{[8][9][10][11]}

St: listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners^[12]

Linked numerical citations in the last column refer to Plants of the World.

Except for Plants of the World, these books list genera alphabetically. "Latin plant name" or "Greek plant name" in the fourth column means that the name appears in Classical Latin or Greek or both for some plant, not necessarily the plant listed here.

Families

Family	Original type genus	LG	Associated meaning, derivation or person[c]	Order	Refs
Acanthaceae	Acanthus	G	thorns	Lamiales	CS[13]
Achariaceae	Acharia	P	Erik Acharius (1757–1819)	Malpighiales	Bu[14]
Achatocarpaceae	Achatocarpus	G	agate fruit	Caryophyllales	[15]
Acoraceae	Acorus	L	Latin plant name	Acorales	CS[16]
Actinidiaceae	Actinidia	G	radiating out from the center (the styles)	Ericales	CS[17]
Aextoxicaceae	Aextoxicon	G	goat poison	Berberidopsidales	[18]
Aizoaceae	Aizoon	G	always living (in a variety of habitats)	Caryophyllales	Gl[19]
Akaniaceae	Akania	G	bractless, possibly	Brassicales	[20]
Alismataceae	Alisma	G	Greek plant name	Alismatales	CS[21]
Alseuosmiaceae	Alseuosmia	G	grove fragrance	Asterales	St[22]
Alstroemeriaceae	Alstroemeria	P	Clas Alströmer (1736–1794)	Liliales	[23]
Altingiaceae	—	P	Willem Arnold Alting (1724–1800), colonial administrator	Saxifragales	Bu[24]
Alzateaceae	Alzatea	P	José Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez (d. 1795), cartographer	Myrtales	[25]
Amaranthaceae	Amaranthus	G	unfading	Caryophyllales	CS[26]
Amaryllidaceae	Amaryllis	G	Amaryllis, a Greek shepherdess from classical poetry	Asparagales	CS[27]
Amborellaceae	Amborella	–	Malagasy plant name	Amborellales	[28]
Anacampserotaceae	Anacampseros	G	Greek plant name	Caryophyllales	St[29]
Anacardiaceae	Anacardium	G	Greek plant name	Sapindales	St[30]
Ancistrocladaceae	Ancistrocladus	G	fish-hooked branches	Caryophyllales	[31]
Anisophylleaceae	Anisophyllea	G	unequal leaves	Cucurbitales	[32]
Annonaceae	Annona	–	Taíno plant name	Magnoliales	St[33]
Aphanopetalaceae	Aphanopetalum	G	inconspicuous petals	Saxifragales	Gl[34]
Aphloiaceae	Aphloia	G	unbarked	Crossosomatales	[35]
Apiaceae	Apium	L	Latin plant name	Apiales	CS[36]
Apocynaceae	Apocynum	G	Greek plant name	Gentianales	St[37]
Apodanthaceae	Apodanthes	G	stalkless flowers	Cucurbitales	Qu[38]
Aponogetonaceae	Aponogeton	L	near (hot springs at) Aponus (now Abano Terme)[d]	Alismatales	St[39]
Aquifoliaceae	—	L	Latin plant name	Aquifoliales	[40]
Araceae	Arum	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Alismatales	CS[41]
Araliaceae	Aralia	–	French-Canadian plant name	Apiales	CS[42]
Araucariaceae	Araucaria	–	Araucanos (now Mapuche)	Pinales	CS[43]
Arecaceae	Areca	–	Malabar plant name	Arecales	St[44]
Argophyllaceae	Argophyllum	G	silver leaves	Asterales	[45]
Aristolochiaceae	Aristolochia	G	best childbirth (for which some species used to be prescribed)	Piperales	CS[46]
Asparagaceae	Asparagus	L	Latin plant name	Asparagales	CS[47]
Asphodelaceae	Asphodeline	G	like Asphodelus	Asparagales	CS[48]
Asteliaceae	Astelia	G	trunkless	Asparagales	Ba[49]
Asteraceae	Aster	L	star	Asterales	CS[50]
Asteropeiaceae	Asteropeia	G	Asteropeia, daughter of the mythological king Pelias	Caryophyllales	Bu[51]
Atherospermataceae	Atherosperma	G	awned seeds, or a reference to the fruit	Laurales	St[52]
Austrobaileyaceae	Austrobaileya	P	Frederick Manson Bailey (1827–1915) and Irving Widmer Bailey (1884–1967)	Austrobaileyales	[53]
Balanopaceae	Balanops	G	acorn-like	Malpighiales	[54]
Balanophoraceae	Balanophora	G	acorn-bearing (the shape of the male flower heads)	Santalales	[55]
Balsaminaceae	—	G	Greek plant name	Ericales	Gl[56]
Barbeuiaceae	Barbeuia	P	Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg (1709–1779)	Caryophyllales	[57]
Barbeyaceae	Barbeya	P	William Barbey (1842–1914)	Rosales	[58]
Basellaceae	Basella	–	Malabar plant name	Caryophyllales	St[59]
Bataceae	Batis	G	walking	Brassicales	[60]
Begoniaceae	Begonia	P	Michel Bégon (1638–1710), government official and plant collector	Cucurbitales	[61]
Berberidaceae	Berberis	–	Arabic plant name	Ranunculales	CS[62]
Berberidopsidaceae	Berberidopsis	–	like Berberis	Berberidopsidales	CS[63]
Betulaceae	Betula	L	Latin plant name	Fagales	CS[64]
Biebersteiniaceae	Biebersteinia	P	Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein (1768–1826)	Sapindales	[65]
Bignoniaceae	Bignonia	P	Jean-Paul Bignon (1662–1743), statesman and royal librarian	Lamiales	[66]
Bixaceae	Bixa	–	Carib plant name	Malvales	St[67]
Blandfordiaceae	Blandfordia	P	George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840)	Asparagales	[68]
Bonnetiaceae	Bonnetia	P	Charles Bonnet (1720–1793)	Malpighiales	[69]
Boraginaceae	Borago	L	hairy clothes, possibly (the leaves)	Boraginales	CS[70]
Boryaceae	Borya	P	Jean Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent (1778–1846)	Asparagales	Bu[71]
Brassicaceae	Brassica	L	Latin plant name	Brassicales	CS[72]
Bromeliaceae	Bromelia	P	Olof Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish doctor and botanist	Poales	[73]
Brunelliaceae	Brunellia	P	Gabriele Brunelli (1728–1797), Italian clergyman and botanist	Oxalidales	[74]
Bruniaceae	Brunia	P	Alexander Brown (fl. 1692–1698), English doctor and plant collector	Bruniales	Qu[75]
Burmanniaceae	Burmannia	P	Johannes Burman (1707–1780)	Dioscoreales	[76]
Burseraceae	Bursera	P	Joachim Burser (1583–1639)	Sapindales	[77]
Butomaceae	Butomus	G	ox-wounding (the inedible leaves harm cattle)	Alismatales	CS[78]
Buxaceae	Buxus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Buxales	CS[79]
Byblidaceae	Byblis	G	Byblis, a mythological character	Lamiales	Bu[80]
Cabombaceae	Cabomba	–	Guianese plant name	Nymphaeales	St[81]
Cactaceae	—	G	Greek plant name	Caryophyllales	[82]
Calceolariaceae	Calceolaria	G	slipper (the flowers)	Lamiales	CS[83]
Calophyllaceae	Calophyllum	G	beautiful leaves	Malpighiales	St[84]
Calycanthaceae	Calycanthus	G	calyx flower (the sepals are like the petals)	Laurales	CS[85]
Calyceraceae	Calycera	G	calyx horn	Asterales	[86]
Campanulaceae	Campanula	L	little bell (the flowers)	Asterales	CS[87]
Campynemataceae	Campynema	G	bent thread	Liliales	[88]
Canellaceae	Canella	G	little Canna	Canellales	St[89]
Cannabaceae	Cannabis	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Rosales	St[90]
Cannaceae	Canna	G	Greek plant name	Zingiberales	CS[91]
Capparaceae	Capparis	G	Greek plant name	Brassicales	St[92]
Caprifoliaceae	—	L	goat leaves	Dipsacales	[93]
Cardiopteridaceae	Cardiopteris	G	heart wing or fern (the fruit)	Aquifoliales	Qu[94]
Caricaceae	Carica	L	Latin plant name	Brassicales	St[95]
Carlemanniaceae	Carlemannia	P	Charles Morgan Lemann (1806–1852)	Lamiales	Bu[96]
Caryocaraceae	Caryocar	G	nut heart	Malpighiales	[97]
Caryophyllaceae	—	G	clove	Caryophyllales
Casuarinaceae	Casuarina	–	from a Malaysian word for cassowary	Fagales	St[98]
Celastraceae	Celastrus	G	Greek plant name	Celastrales	CS[99]
Centroplacaceae	Centroplacus	G	spurred and flat (the styles)	Malpighiales	Qu[100]
Cephalotaceae	Cephalotus	G	head-like	Oxalidales	Gl[101]
Ceratophyllaceae	Ceratophyllum	G	horned (antler-shaped) leaves	Ceratophyllales	CS[102]
Cercidiphyllaceae	Cercidiphyllum	G	with leaves like Cercis siliquastrum	Saxifragales	CS[103]
Chloranthaceae	Chloranthus	G	green flowers	Chloranthales	Ba[104]
Chrysobalanaceae	Chrysobalanus	G	gold acorns	Malpighiales	St[105]
Circaeasteraceae	Circaeaster	G	Circe, a mythological witch	Ranunculales	Bu[106]
Cistaceae	Cistus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Malvales	CS[107]
Cleomaceae	Cleome	G	brilliance	Brassicales	St[108]
Clethraceae	Clethra	G	Greek plant name	Ericales	CS[109]
Clusiaceae	Clusia	P	Carolus Clusius (1526–1609)	Malpighiales	Bu[110]
Colchicaceae	Colchicum	G	Colchis	Liliales	CS[111]
Columelliaceae	Columellia	P	Columella (1st century)	Bruniales	Bu[112]
Combretaceae	Combretum	L	Latin plant name	Myrtales	St[113]
Commelinaceae	Commelina	P	Jan (1629–1692) and Caspar Commelijn (1667–1734)	Commelinales	CS[114]
Connaraceae	Connarus	G	Greek plant name	Oxalidales	[115]
Convolvulaceae	Convolvulus	L	twining	Solanales	CS[116]
Coriariaceae	Coriaria	L	leather (for tanning)	Cucurbitales	CS[117]
Cornaceae	Cornus	L	Latin plant name	Cornales	CS[118]
Corsiaceae	Corsia	P	Bardo Corsi Salviati (1844–1907), Italian nobleman	Liliales	Bu[119]
Corynocarpaceae	Corynocarpus	G	club fruit	Cucurbitales	St[120]
Costaceae	Costus	L	Latin plant name	Zingiberales	St[121]
Crassulaceae	Crassula	L	little thick (the leaves)	Saxifragales	CS[122]
Crossosomataceae	Crossosoma	G	fringed body (the seeds)	Crossosomatales	[123]
Crypteroniaceae	Crypteronia	G	hidden love (the small flowers)	Myrtales	[124]
Ctenolophonaceae	Ctenolophon	G	comb hills	Malpighiales	[125]
Cucurbitaceae	Cucurbita	L	Latin plant name	Cucurbitales	CS[126]
Cunoniaceae	Cunonia	P	Johann Christian Cuno (b. 1708)	Oxalidales	Bu[127]
Cupressaceae	Cupressus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Pinales	CS[128]
Curtisiaceae	Curtisia	P	William Curtis (1746–1799)	Cornales	Bu[129]
Cycadaceae	Cycas	G	Greek plant name	Cycadales	CS[130]
Cyclanthaceae	Cyclanthus	G	circle of flowers	Pandanales	St[131]
Cymodoceaceae	Cymodocea	G	Cymodoce, a sea nymph	Alismatales	Bu[132]
Cynomoriaceae	Cynomorium	G	dog penis	Saxifragales	[133]
Cyperaceae	Cyperus	G	Greek plant name	Poales	CS[134]
Cyrillaceae	Cyrilla	P	Domenico Cirillo (1739–1799)	Ericales	St[135]
Cytinaceae	Cytinus	G	part of a pomegranate	Malvales	[136]
Daphniphyllaceae	Daphniphyllum	G	leaves like Daphne	Saxifragales	CS[137]
Dasypogonaceae	Dasypogon	G	hairy beard	Arecales	[138]
Datiscaceae	Datisca	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Cucurbitales	CS[139]
Degeneriaceae	Degeneria	P	Otto Degener (1899–1988)	Magnoliales	Bu[140]
Diapensiaceae	Diapensia	G	Greek plant name	Ericales	St[141]
Dichapetalaceae	Dichapetalum	G	two-part petals	Malpighiales	[142]
Didiereaceae	Didierea	P	Alfred Grandidier (1836–1921)	Caryophyllales	Ba[143]
Dilleniaceae	Dillenia	P	Johann Jacob Dillenius (1684–1747)	Dilleniales	[144]
Dioncophyllaceae	Dioncophyllum	G	two-hooked leaves	Caryophyllales	[145]
Dioscoreaceae	Dioscorea	P	Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 – c. 90)	Dioscoreales	[146]
Dipentodontaceae	Dipentodon	G	two groups of five teeth (on the sepals and petals)	Huerteales	[147]
Dipterocarpaceae	Dipterocarpus	G	two-winged fruit	Malvales	[148]
Dirachmaceae	Dirachma	–	Socotran name, possibly	Rosales	[58]
Doryanthaceae	Doryanthes	G	spear of flowers	Asparagales	St[149]
Droseraceae	Drosera	G	dew (the secretions)	Caryophyllales	St[150]
Drosophyllaceae	Drosophyllum	G	dewy leaves	Caryophyllales	[151]
Ebenaceae	—	G	Greek plant name	Ericales	[152]
Ecdeiocoleaceae	Ecdeiocolea	G	binding sheath (the scaly leaves)	Poales	[153]
Elaeagnaceae	Elaeagnus	G	Greek plant name	Rosales	CS[154]
Elaeocarpaceae	Elaeocarpus	G	olive (oil) fruit	Oxalidales	St[155]
Elatinaceae	Elatine	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Malpighiales	St[156]
Emblingiaceae	Emblingia	P	Thomas Embling (1814–1893), doctor	Brassicales	Qu[157]
Ephedraceae	Ephedra	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Ephedrales	St[158]
Ericaceae	Erica	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Ericales	CS[159]
Eriocaulaceae	Eriocaulon	G	woolly stem	Poales	[160]
Erythroxylaceae	Erythroxylum	G	red wood	Malpighiales	St[161]
Escalloniaceae	Escallonia	P	Antonio José Escallón y Flórez (1739–1819), Spanish official and plant-hunter in South America	Escalloniales	[162]
Eucommiaceae	Eucommia	G	good gum	Garryales	St[163]
Euphorbiaceae	Euphorbia	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Malpighiales	CS[164]
Euphroniaceae	Euphronia	P	Euphronis, ancient writer on cultivation	Malpighiales	Bu[165]
Eupomatiaceae	Eupomatia	G	well-capped	Magnoliales	[166]
Eupteleaceae	Euptelea	G	good elm	Ranunculales	St[167]
Fabaceae	—	L	Latin plant name	Fabales	[168]
Fagaceae	Fagus	L	Latin plant name	Fagales	CS[169]
Flagellariaceae	Flagellaria	G	whip-like (tendrils)	Poales	[170]
Fouquieriaceae	Fouquieria	P	Pierre Fouquier (1776–1850), doctor	Ericales	[171]
Francoaceae	Francoa	P	Francisco Franco (c. 1515 – c. 1569), Spanish doctor	Geraniales	[172]
Frankeniaceae	Frankenia	P	Johann Francke (1590–1661), Swedish botanist	Caryophyllales	[173]
Garryaceae	Garrya	P	Nicholas Garry (c. 1782 – 1856), merchant and trader	Garryales	[174]
Geissolomataceae	Geissoloma	G	tiled fringe (the petals)	Crossosomatales	Qu[175]
Gelsemiaceae	Gelsemium	–	Italian plant name	Gentianales	CS[176]
Gentianaceae	Gentiana	P	Gentius (d. 168 BC), king	Gentianales	[177]
Geraniaceae	Geranium	L	crane (the fruit). Greek and Latin name.	Geraniales	CS[178]
Gerrardinaceae	Gerrardina	P	William Tyrer Gerrard (c. 1831 – 1866)	Huerteales	Qu[179]
Gesneriaceae	Gesneria	P	Conrad Gessner (1516–1565)	Lamiales	St[180]
Ginkgoaceae	Ginkgo	–	Chinese and Japanese plant name	Ginkgoales	CS[181]
Gisekiaceae	Gisekia	P	Paul Dietrich Giseke (1741–1796)	Caryophyllales	Qu[182]
Gnetaceae	Gnetum	–	Maluku or Malay plant name	Gnetales	[183]
Gomortegaceae	Gomortega	P	Casimiro Gómez Ortega (1741–1818)	Laurales	Bu[184]
Goodeniaceae	Goodenia	P	Samuel Goodenough (1743–1827)	Asterales	[185]
Goupiaceae	Goupia	–	Ndyuka plant name	Malpighiales	[186]
Griseliniaceae	Griselinia	P	Francesco Griselini (1717–1783), Italian botanist	Apiales	[187]
Grossulariaceae	—	L	Latin plant name	Saxifragales	[188]
Grubbiaceae	Grubbia	P	Michael Grubb (1728–1808), Swedish botanist, plant collector and mineralogist	Cornales	Qu[189]
Guamatelaceae	Guamatela	–	anagram of Guatemala	Crossosomatales	[190]
Gunneraceae	Gunnera	P	Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718–1773)	Gunnerales	[191]
Gyrostemonaceae	Gyrostemon	G	round stamens	Brassicales	[192]
Haemodoraceae	Haemodorum	G	blood gift	Commelinales	[193]
Halophytaceae	Halophytum	G	salt plant	Caryophyllales	[194]
Haloragaceae	Haloragis	G	salt berries	Saxifragales	[195]
Hamamelidaceae	Hamamelis	G	Greek plant name	Saxifragales	CS[196]
Hanguanaceae	Hanguana	–	Indonesian plant name	Commelinales	[197]
Heliconiaceae	Heliconia	L	Latin name, from Mount Helicon	Zingiberales	St[198]
Helwingiaceae	Helwingia	P	Georg Andreas Helwing (1666–1748)	Aquifoliales	[199]
Hernandiaceae	Hernandia	P	Francisco Hernández de Toledo (1514–1587)	Laurales	Qu[200]
Himantandraceae	—	G	strap-like male parts	Magnoliales	[140]
Huaceae	Hua	P	Henri Hua (1861–1919), French botanist	Oxalidales	Bu[201]
Humiriaceae	Humiria	–	Carib plant name	Malpighiales	[202]
Hydatellaceae	—	G	little water (plant)	Nymphaeales	[203]
Hydrangeaceae	Hydrangea	G	water container (the cup-shaped capsules)	Cornales	CS[204]
Hydrocharitaceae	Hydrocharis	G	water grace	Alismatales	St[205]
Hydroleaceae	Hydrolea	G	water olive	Solanales	St[206]
Hydrostachyaceae	Hydrostachys	G	water spike	Cornales	[207]
Hypericaceae	Hypericum	G	Greek plant name	Malpighiales	[208]
Hypoxidaceae	Hypoxis	G	Greek plant name	Asparagales	St[209]
Icacinaceae	Icacina	–	Arawak name, originally	Icacinales	[210]
Iridaceae	Iris	G	rainbow (the flowers)	Asparagales	CS[211]
Irvingiaceae	Irvingia	P	Edward Irving (1816–1855)	Malpighiales	Qu[212]
Iteaceae	Itea	G	Greek plant name	Saxifragales	CS[213]
Ixioliriaceae	Ixiolirion	G	Ixia + lily	Asparagales	St[214]
Ixonanthaceae	Ixonanthes	G	sticky flowers	Malpighiales	Gl[215]
Joinvilleaceae	Joinvillea	P	François d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville (1818–1900)	Poales	Bu[216]
Juglandaceae	Juglans	L	Latin plant name	Fagales	CS[217]
Juncaceae	Juncus	L	binding. Latin name.	Poales	CS[134]
Juncaginaceae	—	L	Latin plant name	Alismatales	[218]
Kewaceae	Kewa	–	Kew, London, England	Caryophyllales	[219]
Kirkiaceae	Kirkia	P	John Kirk (1832–1922)	Sapindales	Bu[77]
Koeberliniaceae	Koeberlinia	P	Christoph Ludwig Köberlin (1794–1862), German botanist and clergyman	Brassicales	Bu[220]
Krameriaceae	Krameria	P	Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer (1724–1765)	Zygophyllales	[221]
Lacistemataceae	Lacistema	L	torn + Greek: stamens	Malpighiales	[222]
Lamiaceae	Lamium	L	Latin name: open mouth (the flowers)	Lamiales	CS[223]
Lanariaceae	Lanaria	G	woolly	Asparagales	[224]
Lardizabalaceae	Lardizabala	P	Manuel de Lardizábal y Uribe (1744–1824), politician	Ranunculales	[225]
Lauraceae	Laurus	L	Latin plant name	Laurales	CS[226]
Lecythidaceae	Lecythis	G	oil pot (the shape of the fruit)	Ericales	[227]
Lentibulariaceae	—	G	lentil-shaped bladders, probably	Lamiales	[228]
Lepidobotryaceae	Lepidobotrys	G	scale clusters	Celastrales	[229]
Liliaceae	Lilium	L	Latin plant name	Liliales	CS[230]
Limeaceae	Limeum	L	path (some habitats)	Caryophyllales	[231]
Limnanthaceae	Limnanthes	G	marsh flowers	Brassicales	St[232]
Linaceae	Linum	L	Latin plant name	Malpighiales	CS[233]
Linderniaceae	Lindernia	P	Franz Balthasar von Lindern (1682–1755), French doctor and botanist	Lamiales	Bu[234]
Loasaceae	Loasa	–	probably a South American plant name	Cornales	St[235]
Loganiaceae	Logania	P	James Logan (1674–1751)	Gentianales	[236]
Lophiocarpaceae	Lophiocarpus	G	small-crested fruit	Caryophyllales	[237]
Lophopyxidaceae	Lophopyxis	G	crested box (the fruit)	Malpighiales	[238]
Loranthaceae	Loranthus	L	strap + Greek: flowers	Santalales	[239]
Lowiaceae	Lowia	P	Hugh Lowe (1824–1905), English colonial administrator and naturalist	Zingiberales	Bu[240]
Lythraceae	Lythrum	G	bloody (the flowers)	Myrtales	CS[241]
Macarthuriaceae	Macarthuria	P	William Macarthur (1800–1882)	Caryophyllales	Qu[242]
Magnoliaceae	Magnolia	P	Pierre Magnol (1638–1715)	Magnoliales	[243]
Malpighiaceae	Malpighia	P	Marcello Malpighi (1628–1694)	Malpighiales	[244]
Malvaceae	Malva	L	Latin plant name	Malvales	CS[245]
Marantaceae	Maranta	P	Bartolomeo Maranta (1500–1571)	Zingiberales	[246]
Marcgraviaceae	Marcgravia	P	Georg Marcgrave (1610–1644)	Ericales	Qu[247]
Martyniaceae	Martynia	P	John Martyn (1699–1768)	Lamiales	[248]
Maundiaceae	Maundia	P	John Maund (1823–1858), English-born Australian doctor and chemist	Alismatales	Bu[249]
Mayacaceae	Mayaca	–	French Guianese plant name	Poales	St[250]
Mazaceae	Mazus	G	teat, for swellings on the lower lip of the flowers	Lamiales	CS[251]
Melanthiaceae	Melanthium	G	dark flowers	Liliales	St[252]
Melastomataceae	Melastoma	G	black mouth (the berries stain the mouth when eaten)	Myrtales	St[253]
Meliaceae	Melia	G	Greek plant name	Sapindales	CS[254]
Menispermaceae	Menispermum	G	moon seeds	Ranunculales	St[255]
Menyanthaceae	Menyanthes	G	Greek name: small flowers or moon flowers	Asterales	CS[256]
Metteniusaceae	Metteniusa	P	Georg Heinrich Mettenius (1823–1866)	Metteniusales	Bu[257]
Microteaceae	Microtea	G	smallness, probably	Caryophyllales	[258]
Misodendraceae	Misodendrum	G	hating trees	Santalales	[259]
Mitrastemonaceae	Mitrastemon	G	miter + stamens	Ericales	[260]
Molluginaceae	Mollugo	G	soft	Caryophyllales	[261]
Monimiaceae	Monimia	P	Monime (d. 71 BC), a queen of Pontus	Laurales	Bu[262]
Montiaceae	Montia	P	Giuseppe Monti (1682–1760)	Caryophyllales	[263]
Montiniaceae	Montinia	P	Lars Jonasson Montin (1723–1785), Swedish botanist and doctor	Solanales	Bu[264]
Moraceae	Morus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Rosales	CS[265]
Moringaceae	Moringa	–	Latinised Tamil plant name	Brassicales	St[266]
Muntingiaceae	Muntingia	P	Abraham Munting (1626–1683)	Malvales	Bu[267]
Musaceae	Musa	–	Latinised Arabic plant name	Zingiberales	St[268]
Myodocarpaceae	Myodocarpus	G	mouse (-eared) fruit	Apiales	[269]
Myricaceae	Myrica	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Fagales	CS[270]
Myristicaceae	Myristica	G	fragrant ointment	Magnoliales	St[271]
Myrothamnaceae	Myrothamnus	G	perfume bush	Gunnerales	[272]
Myrtaceae	Myrtus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Myrtales	CS[273]
Nartheciaceae	Narthecium	G	Greek plant name	Dioscoreales	St[274]
Nelumbonaceae	Nelumbo	–	Sinhalese plant name	Proteales	St[275]
Nepenthaceae	Nepenthes	G	antidepressant	Caryophyllales	St[276]
Neuradaceae	Neurada	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Malvales	Qu[277]
Nitrariaceae	Nitraria	G	niter (found in the habitat)	Sapindales	[278]
Nothofagaceae	Nothofagus	L	false Fagus	Fagales	CS[279]
Nyctaginaceae	—	G	night (flowering)	Caryophyllales	[280]
Nymphaeaceae	Nymphaea	G	water nymphs	Nymphaeales	CS[281]
Nyssaceae	Nyssa	G	Nysa, a water nymph	Cornales	CS[282]
Ochnaceae	Ochna	G	Greek plant name	Malpighiales	St[283]
Olacaceae	Olax	L	scented (wood)	Santalales	[284]
Oleaceae	Olea	L	Latin plant name	Lamiales	CS[285]
Onagraceae	—	G	onager (fodder)	Myrtales	[286]
Oncothecaceae	Oncotheca	G	bulky box (the anthers)	Icacinales	Qu[287]
Opiliaceae	Opilia	–	(unknown)	Santalales	[288]
Orchidaceae	Orchis	G	testicle (the root tubers)	Asparagales	St[289]
Orobanchaceae	Orobanche	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Lamiales	St[290]
Oxalidaceae	Oxalis	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Oxalidales	CS[291]
Paeoniaceae	Paeonia	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Saxifragales	CS[292]
Pandaceae	Panda	P	Paul Panda Farnana (1888–1930)	Malpighiales	[293]
Pandanaceae	Pandanus	–	Malay plant name	Pandanales	St[294]
Papaveraceae	Papaver	L	Latin plant name	Ranunculales	CS[295]
Paracryphiaceae	Paracryphia	G	almost hidden	Paracryphiales	Qu[296]
Passifloraceae	Passiflora	L	Latin: passion flowers	Malpighiales	CS[297]
Paulowniaceae	Paulownia	P	Anna Pavlovna of Russia (1795–1865)	Lamiales	[298]
Pedaliaceae	Pedalium	G	rudder	Lamiales	[299]
Penaeaceae	Penaea	P	Pierre Pena (1535–1605), French doctor and botanist	Myrtales	Bu[300]
Pennantiaceae	Pennantia	P	Thomas Pennant (1726–1798)	Apiales	Bu[301]
Pentadiplandraceae	Pentadiplandra	G	five double male parts (the ten stamens, usually)	Brassicales	[302]
Pentaphragmataceae	Pentaphragma	G	five fences (around the ovaries)	Asterales	Qu[303]
Pentaphylacaceae	Pentaphylax	G	five guardians (the stamens)	Ericales	Qu[304]
Penthoraceae	Penthorum	G	five (sections per fruit)	Saxifragales	[305]
Peraceae	Pera	G	pouch (the fruits)	Malpighiales	[306]
Peridiscaceae	Peridiscus	G	around the disk (the stamens)	Saxifragales	Qu[307]
Petenaeaceae	Petenaea	–	Lake Petén Itzá	Huerteales	[308]
Petermanniaceae	Petermannia	P	August Heinrich Petermann (1822–1878), cartographer	Liliales	Bu[309]
Petiveriaceae	Petiveria	P	James Petiver (c. 1660 – 1718)	Caryophyllales	[310]
Petrosaviaceae	Petrosavia	P	Pietro Savi (1811–1871), Italian professor of botany	Petrosaviales	Bu[311]
Phellinaceae	Phelline	G	corky (the fruits and seeds)	Asterales	Qu[312]
Philesiaceae	Philesia	G	loving	Liliales	St[313]
Philydraceae	Philydrum	G	friend of water	Commelinales	[314]
Phrymaceae	Phryma	G	toad, possibly	Lamiales	[315]
Phyllanthaceae	Phyllanthus	G	leaf-flowers (the source of some flowers)	Malpighiales	St[316]
Phyllonomaceae	Phyllonoma	G	leaf meadow (the flowers sprouting from the leaves)	Aquifoliales	Qu[317]
Physenaceae	Physena	G	inflated (the fruit)	Caryophyllales	Qu[318]
Phytolaccaceae	Phytolacca	G	plant lac	Caryophyllales	CS[319]
Picramniaceae	Picramnia	G	bitter bush	Picramniales	[320]
Picrodendraceae	Picrodendron	G	bitter tree	Malpighiales	[321]
Pinaceae	Pinus	L	Latin plant name	Pinales	CS[322]
Piperaceae	Piper	L	Latin name, from Sanskrit and Greek names	Piperales	St[323]
Pittosporaceae	Pittosporum	G	tar seeds	Apiales	CS[324]
Plantaginaceae	Plantago	L	Latin plant name	Lamiales	CS[325]
Platanaceae	Platanus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Proteales	CS[326]
Plocospermataceae	Plocosperma	G	tufted seeds	Lamiales	[327]
Plumbaginaceae	Plumbago	L	Latin plant name	Caryophyllales	CS[328]
Poaceae	Poa	G	Greek plant name	Poales	CS[329]
Podocarpaceae	Podocarpus	G	stalked fruit	Pinales	CS[330]
Podostemaceae	Podostemum	G	foot stamens	Malpighiales	Gl[331]
Polemoniaceae	Polemonium	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Ericales	CS[332]
Polygalaceae	Polygala	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Fabales	CS[333]
Polygonaceae	Polygonum	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Caryophyllales	St[334]
Pontederiaceae	Pontederia	P	Giulio Pontedera (1688–1757)	Commelinales	[335]
Portulacaceae	Portulaca	L	Latin plant name	Caryophyllales	St[336]
Posidoniaceae	Posidonia	G	Poseidon, a god	Alismatales	Bu[337]
Potamogetonaceae	Potamogeton	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Alismatales	St[338]
Primulaceae	Primula	L	Medieval Latin plant name	Ericales	CS[339]
Proteaceae	Protea	G	Proteus of mythology	Proteales	St[340]
Putranjivaceae	Putranjiva	–	Sanskrit plant name	Malpighiales	[341]
Quillajaceae	Quillaja	–	Chilean plant name	Fabales	St[342]
Rafflesiaceae	Rafflesia	P	Stamford Raffles (1781–1826)	Malpighiales	[343]
Ranunculaceae	Ranunculus	L	Latin: little frog (some species are aquatic)	Ranunculales	CS[344]
Rapateaceae	Rapatea	–	French Guianese name, probably	Poales	[345]
Resedaceae	Reseda	L	Latin plant name	Brassicales	St[346]
Restionaceae	Restio	L	rope-maker	Poales	Ba[347]
Rhabdodendraceae	Rhabdodendron	G	rod tree	Caryophyllales	[348]
Rhamnaceae	Rhamnus	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Rosales	CS[349]
Rhizophoraceae	Rhizophora	G	root-bearing	Malpighiales	[350]
Ripogonaceae	Ripogonum	G	wicker knees (the many joints on the tangled stalks)	Liliales	St[351]
Roridulaceae	Roridula	G	dewy (leaves)	Ericales	Gl[352]
Rosaceae	Rosa	L	Latin plant name	Rosales	CS[353]
Rousseaceae	Roussea	P	Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), Enlightenment philosopher	Asterales	Bu[354]
Rubiaceae	Rubia	L	red (the roots, used in dyeing)	Gentianales	St[355]
Ruppiaceae	Ruppia	P	Heinrich Bernhard Ruppius (1688–1719)	Alismatales	Qu[337]
Rutaceae	Ruta	L	Latin plant name	Sapindales	CS[356]
Sabiaceae	Sabia	–	Hindi plant name	Proteales	[357]
Salicaceae	Salix	L	Latin plant name	Malpighiales	CS[358]
Salvadoraceae	Salvadora	P	Jaime Salvador y Pedrol (1649–1740), Spanish apothecary	Brassicales	Bu[359]
Santalaceae	Santalum	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Santalales	St[360]
Sapindaceae	Sapindus	L	soap of India	Sapindales	St[361]
Sapotaceae	—	–	Nahuatl plant name	Ericales	[362]
Sarcobataceae	Sarcobatus	G	fleshy thorn bush	Caryophyllales	Gl[363]
Sarcolaenaceae	Sarcolaena	G	flesh cloak	Malvales	[364]
Sarraceniaceae	Sarracenia	P	Michel Sarrazin (1659–1736)	Ericales	[365]
Saururaceae	Saururus	G	lizard tail	Piperales	St[366]
Saxifragaceae	Saxifraga	L	stone-breaking	Saxifragales	CS[367]
Scheuchzeriaceae	Scheuchzeria	P	Johann Gaspar Scheuchzer (1684–1738) and his brother Johann Jacob Scheuchzer (1672–1733)	Alismatales	Bu[368]
Schisandraceae	Schisandra	G	divided male parts (the anthers)	Austrobaileyales	CS[369]
Schlegeliaceae	Schlegelia	P	Hermann Schlegel (1804–1884)	Lamiales	Bu[370]
Schoepfiaceae	Schoepfia	P	Johann David Schoepff (1752–1800)	Santalales	Bu[371]
Sciadopityaceae	Sciadopitys	G	umbel or parasol + pine or fir (the leaves)	Pinales	CS[372]
Scrophulariaceae	Scrophularia	L	(supposed cure for) scrofula	Lamiales	St[373]
Setchellanthaceae	Setchellanthus	P	William Albert Setchell (1864–1943)	Brassicales	Bu[374]
Simaroubaceae	Simarouba	–	Carib plant name	Sapindales	[375]
Simmondsiaceae	Simmondsia	P	Thomas William Simmonds (1767–1804), English doctor and naturalist	Caryophyllales	Ba[376]
Siparunaceae	Siparuna	–	French Guianese plant name	Laurales	[377]
Sladeniaceae	Sladenia	P	Edward Bosc Sladen (1827–1890), army officer	Ericales	Bu[378]
Smilacaceae	Smilax	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Liliales	CS[379]
Solanaceae	Solanum	L	Latin plant name	Solanales	CS[380]
Sphaerosepalaceae	—	G	spherical sepals	Malvales	[381]
Sphenocleaceae	Sphenoclea	G	closed wedge (the fruit capsules)	Solanales	[382]
Stachyuraceae	Stachyurus	G	spike tail (the inflorescences)	Crossosomatales	CS[383]
Staphyleaceae	Staphylea	G	clusters (of flowers)	Crossosomatales	CS[384]
Stegnospermataceae	Stegnosperma	G	seeds covered (by arilla)	Caryophyllales
Stemonaceae	Stemona	G	stamens	Pandanales	[385]
Stemonuraceae	Stemonurus	G	stamen tail	Aquifoliales	[386]
Stilbaceae	Stilbe	G	shining	Lamiales	[387]
Strasburgeriaceae	Strasburgeria	P	Eduard Strasburger (1844–1912)	Crossosomatales	Bu[388]
Strelitziaceae	Strelitzia	P	Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818)	Zingiberales	[389]
Stylidiaceae	Stylidium	G	little pillar (the style and stamens form a column)	Asterales	St[390]
Styracaceae	Styrax	L	Greek and Latin name, from an Arabic plant name	Ericales	CS[391]
Surianaceae	Suriana	P	Joseph Donat Surian (1650–1691), French doctor, chemist and botanist	Fabales	Bu[392]
Symplocaceae	Symplocos	G	combination (the unified stamens)	Ericales	St[393]
Talinaceae	Talinum	–	(unclear)	Caryophyllales	Ba[394]
Tamaricaceae	Tamarix	L	Latin plant name	Caryophyllales	CS[395]
Tapisciaceae	Tapiscia	–	anagram of Pistacia	Huerteales	[396]
Taxaceae	Taxus	L	Latin plant name	Pinales	CS[397]
Tecophilaeaceae	Tecophilaea	P	Tecophila Billotti (1802 or 1803 – 1885 or 1886), Italian botanical artist	Asparagales	[398]
Tetracarpaeaceae	Tetracarpaea	G	four-fruited	Saxifragales	[399]
Tetrachondraceae	Tetrachondra	G	four-cartilaged	Lamiales	Qu[400]
Tetramelaceae	Tetrameles	G	four parts (the sepals)	Cucurbitales	[401]
Tetrameristaceae	Tetramerista	G	four-part (flowers)	Ericales	[402]
Theaceae	—	–	Chinese plant name	Ericales	[403]
Thomandersiaceae	Thomandersia	P	Thomas Anderson (1832–1870)	Lamiales	Bu[404]
Thurniaceae	Thurnia	P	Everard im Thurn (1852–1932)	Poales	Bu[405]
Thymelaeaceae	Thymelaea	G	poison olive	Malvales	[406]
Ticodendraceae	Ticodendron	G	Tico tree	Fagales	[407]
Tofieldiaceae	Tofieldia	P	Thomas Tofield (1730–1779), English hydrological engineer and botanist	Alismatales	Bu[408]
Torricelliaceae	Torricellia	P	Evangelista Torricelli (1608–1647), physicist and mathematician	Apiales	Bu[409]
Tovariaceae	Tovaria	P	Simón de Tovar, Spanish doctor and botanist	Brassicales	Bu[157]
Trigoniaceae	Trigonia	G	triangular (the fruit)	Malpighiales	[410]
Trimeniaceae	Trimenia	P	Henry Trimen (1843–1896)	Austrobaileyales	Bu[411]
Triuridaceae	Triuris	G	three tails	Pandanales	[412]
Trochodendraceae	Trochodendron	G	wheel (of stamens) + tree	Trochodendrales	CS[413]
Tropaeolaceae	Tropaeolum	G	trophy	Brassicales	CS[414]
Typhaceae	Typha	L	Greek and Latin plant name	Poales	CS[415]
Ulmaceae	Ulmus	L	Latin plant name	Rosales	CS[416]
Urticaceae	Urtica	L	Latin plant name	Rosales	St[417]
Vahliaceae	Vahlia	P	Martin Vahl (1749–1804)	Vahliales	Qu[418]
Velloziaceae	Vellozia	P	Joaquim Velloso de Miranda (1733–1815), Brazilian clergyman and plant collector	Pandanales	Bu[419]
Verbenaceae	Verbena	L	ceremonial plant	Lamiales	CS[420]
Viburnaceae	Viburnum	L	Latin name. Previously Adoxaceae.	Dipsacales	CS[83]
Violaceae	Viola	L	Latin plant name	Malpighiales	CS[421]
Vitaceae	Vitis	L	Latin plant name	Vitales	CS[422]
Vochysiaceae	Vochysia	–	Carib plant name	Myrtales	[423]
Welwitschiaceae	Welwitschia	P	Friedrich Welwitsch (1806–1872)	Welwitschiales	[424]
Winteraceae	Wintera	P	John Winter (16th century), ship captain	Canellales	Bu[425]
Xeronemataceae	Xeronema	G	dry thread	Asparagales	[426]
Xyridaceae	Xyris	G	razor (the leaves)	Poales	[427]
Zamiaceae	Zamia	L	from a Latin plant name	Cycadales	CS[428]
Zingiberaceae	Zingiber	L	Greek and Latin name, from a Sanskrit plant name	Zingiberales	St[429]
Zosteraceae	Zostera	G	belt	Alismatales	[430]
Zygophyllaceae	Zygophyllum	G	yoked leaves	Zygophyllales	[431]

• Glossary of botanical terms
• List of Greek and Latin roots in English
• List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
• List of plant genera named for people: A–C, D–J, K–P, Q–Z
• List of plant genus names with etymologies: A–C, D–K, L–P, Q–Z

• Bayton, Ross (2020). The Gardener's Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-20017-0.
• Burkhardt, Lotte (2018). Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen – Erweiterte Edition [Index of Eponymic Plant Names – Extended Edition] (pdf) (in German). Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin. doi:10.3372/epolist2018. ISBN 978-3-946292-26-5. S2CID 187926901. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ for license.
• Christenhusz, Maarten; Fay, Michael Francis; Chase, Mark Wayne (2017). Plants of the World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Vascular Plants. Chicago, Illinois: Kew Publishing and The University of Chicago Press. pp. 18–637. ISBN 978-0-226-52292-0.
• Coombes, Allen (2012). The A to Z of Plant Names: A Quick Reference Guide to 4000 Garden Plants. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 978-1-60469-196-2.
• Cullen, Katherine E. (2006). Biology: The People Behind the Science. New York, New York: Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-7221-7.
• Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.
• POWO (2019). "Plants of the World Online". London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2021. See See https://www.kew.org/science/collections-and-resources/data-and-digital/terms-of-use for license.
• Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume I, A–C. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-2675-2.
• Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume II, D–L. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-2676-9.
• Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume III, M–Q. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44751-9.
• Quattrocchi, Umberto (2019) [2000]. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, Volume IV, R–Z. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-367-44750-2.
• Stearn, William (2002). Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. London: Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-36469-5.
• Turland, N. J.; et al. (eds.). International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017 (electronic ed.). Glashütten: International Association for Plant Taxonomy. Retrieved 25 February 2022.

• Brown, Roland (1956). Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 978-1-56098-848-9.
• Lewis, Charlton (1891). An Elementary Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-910205-1. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (2013) [1888/1889]. An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon. Mansfield Centre, Connecticut: Martino Fine Books. ISBN 978-1-61427-397-4. Available online at the Perseus Digital Library.