Since Latin became the standard language for plant naming in the eighteenth century, it has been intrinsically linked with botany. And while mastery of the classical language may not be a prerequisite for tending perennials, all gardeners stand to benefit from learning a bit of Latin and its conventions in the field. Without it, they might buy aHellebores foetidusand be unprepared for its fetid smell, or aPotentilla reptanswith the expectation that it will stand straight as a sentinel rather than creep along the ground.
An essential addition to the gardener’s library, this colorful, fully illustrated book details the history of naming plants, provides an overview of Latin naming conventions, and offers guidelines for pronunciation. Readers will learn to identify Latin terms that indicate the provenance of a given plant and provide clues to its color, shape, fragrance, taste, behavior, functions, and more.
Full of expert instruction and practical guidance,Latin for Gardenerswill allow novices and green thumbs alike to better appreciate the seemingly esoteric names behind the plants they work with, and to expertly converse with fellow enthusiasts. Soon they will realize that having a basic understanding of Latin before trips to the nursery or botanic garden is like possessing some knowledge of French before traveling to Paris; it enriches the whole experience.
Lorraine Harrisonis the author of several books, includingInspiring Sussex Gardeners,The Shaker Book of the Garden,How to Read Gardens, andA Potted History of Vegetables: A Kitchen Cornucopia.
PrefaceHow to Use This BookA Short History of Botanical LatinBotanical Latin for BeginnersAn Introduction to the A–Z Listings The A-Z Listings of Latin Plant Names
A from
a- to
azureusB from
babylonicus
![Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/3/5/0/2_1244957.jpg "Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored [Hardcover]")