Origin and Meaning of Scientific Names

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Scientific names are used as a standard worldwide classification system of all living things. There are seven main levels of classification: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species, with the largest encompassing group first. Scientific names of individual species are reported with their genus and species names. For example, the passion fruit is also known as Passiflora edulis; genus-Passiflora, species-edulis. Scientific names should always be italicized in print. Genus and species names are in Latin, and the origins of a number of common ones are listed below:

Genus Names

Anacardium - from Greek roots, meaning "resembling heart", in reference to the shape of the cashew nut

Artocarpus - from Greek roots, meaning "bread fruit"; named for Artocarpus altilis, the breadfruit.

Diospyros - from Greek roots, meaning "God and grain."

Eugenia - named for Prince Eugene of Savoy, a patron of botany and horticulture.

Garcinia - named for Laurence Garcin, French botanist

Mangifera - From the Malay word "manga" meaning mango, and the Latin root fera or ferum, meaning "to bear"; see mango

Psidium - Greek name for the pomegranate; see guava

 

Species Names

acidus - acid/sour

aggregata - aggregate/clustered; see Eugenia aggregata - Cherry of the Rio Grande

aquatica - aquatic/water

aurantifolia - having golden leaves

chinensis - China, Chinese

deliciosa - delicious

foetida - foul smelling

glabra - smooth

grandis - large

indica - India, East Indies

mitis - mild, gentle; see Citrus mitis

odorata - odorous (can be foul or pleasant)

squamosa - having scales; see Annona squamosa