Trees: Latin translation and etymology

October 25, 2012 2:05 PM

Trying to find a list of tree names with common, latin, latin translation and etymology. The first two are easy to find, but it's the last two I really care about.

(In terms of specificity, I'm most interested in the Northeast U.S., but a larger set is fine)

posted by gwint to science & nature (3 answers total)

The guy who runs the Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature site is into this stuff, maybe he could suggest something if contacted directly?
posted by Wretch729 at 2:09 PM on October 25, 2012

Latin Name Meaning/Origin (pdf).

The Meanings of Latin names.
posted by languagehat at 2:44 PM on October 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

I have two very useful books about Latin(and the large amount of Greek roots) plant and tree names. Each is focused slightly differently.

The Timber Press Dictionary of Plant Names: More technical, has more species names under Genus.

&

A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins: Has more bios and mythology related to the names.

I've just searched with Google and it seems like there is a lot, but the sampling I took was hit or miss; certainly not as useful as buying/borrowing books.

There is also a larger reference book i've never purchased, I think this is it: Botanical Latin. It was suggested to me by a teacher if I wanted to really get into it.
posted by a_green_man at 1:52 PM on October 30, 2012