Comments on: Trees: Latin translation and etymology

Question: Trees: Latin translation and etymology

gwint — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:05:09 -0800

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)

By: Wretch729

Wretch729 — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:09:14 -0800

The guy who runs the Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature site is into this stuff, maybe he could suggest something if contacted directly?

By: languagehat

languagehat — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:44:24 -0800

Latin Name Meaning/Origin (pdf).

The Meanings of Latin names.

By: a_green_man

a_green_man — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:52:02 -0800

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.