Starting out with palms? Trying to learn about the many species of palm and grappling with all those Latin and Greek prefixes and suffixes? Just to help we've compiled the following list of words and their meanings from many sources on the web. Some occur on their own and others appear as part of other plant names. Try using this list to work out what all those complicated names mean from time to time; you will find that, slowly but surely everything begins to fall into place!
TIP: Got part of a plant name you want to find the meaning of? Search for it using Ctrl+F!
| acutifolia/um/us | sharp leaved |
| adscendens | ascending |
| adusta/um/us | burnt/black |
| aemula/um/us | emulating |
| aequale/us | equal |
| aequatoriale, aequatorialis | equatorial
|
| aeruginosa, aeruginosum, aeruginosus | rusty colour |
| aethiopia, aethiopium, aethiopius | from
Ethiopia |
| aethiops | from Abyssinia |
| afer, afra, afrum | African |
| affine, affinis | like |
| africana, africanum, africanus | from
Africa |
| aggregata, aggregatum, aggregatus | compound/aggregated
|
| agri | rough |
| aiphanes | jagged |
| alata, alatum, alatus | winged |
| alba, album, albus, albida, albidum, albidus | white |
| albicans | whitish |
| alpina, alpinum, alpinus | alpine |
| alta, altum, altus, altile, altilis | tall |
| alternata, alternatum, alternatus | alternating
|
| amabile, amabilis | beautiful |
| amara, amarum, amarus | bitter |
| ambigua, ambiguum, ambiguus | ambiguous
|
| amethystina, amethystinum, amethystinus | violet |
| amicarum | from Tonga (friendship) isles |
| amoena, amoenum, amoenus | delightful
|
| amosa/um/us | branch |
| ampla, amplum, amplus | full/large |
| amygda/um/us | almond |
| andina, andinum, andinus | the andes
|
| andra/um/us | anther |
| angulare, angularis | angular |
| angusta, angustum, angustus | narrow
|
| anomala, anomalum, anomalus | anomalous
|
| antha/um/us | flower |
| antillarum | from the Antilles |
| antioquiense, antioquiensis | from Antioquia,
Colombia |
| antiquora, antiquorum, antiquorus | ancient
|
| appendica/um/us | appendage |
| aprica, apricum, apricus | sun loving
|
| aquatica, aquaticum, aquaticus | aquatic
|
| arabica, arabicum, arabicus | from Arabia
|
| arba/us/um/ | tree |
| archonto | chief/main |
| arenaria, arenarium, arenarius | sandy
coloured |
| argentata, argentatum, argentatus,argentea, argenteum, argenteus,
argyrata, argyratum, argyreia, argyreium, argyreius, argyratus, | silvery |
| aristata, aristatum, aristatus | beard
|
| armata, armatum, armatus | armed (with
spines) |
| aromatica, aromaticum, aromaticus | aromatic
|
| arundinacea, arundinaceum, arundinaceus | grass-like |
| asper, aspera, asperum | rough |
| aspidiifolia, aspidiifolium, aspidiifoliu | leaves like Aspidistra |
| asterias | star-like |
| ata | shaped |
| ata/um/us | part |
| atro- | very |
| attenuata, attenuatum, attenuatus | thin
|
| augusta, augustum, augustus | noble |
| aurantia, aurantium, aurantius | orange
|
| aurea, aureum, aureus | golden |
| auri/um/us | ear (shaped) |
| auricula | ear (like) |
| australasica, australasicum, australasicus | Australian |
| australe, australis | from the South
|
| axillare, axillaris | axilliary |
| azorica, azoricum, azoricus | from the
Azores |
| azurea, azureum, azureus | blue |
| bacaba | old name for a palm |
| bactris | walking stick |
| bahiana, bahianum, bahianus | from Bahia,
Brazil |
| baileyana, baileyanum, baileyanus | derived from a real name |
| balam/um/us | resin |
| barbadensis | from Barbados |
| bataua | old name for a palm |
| beccari | derived from a real name |
| beharense, beharensis | from Behar, Madagascar
|
| bella | pretty |
| bentinckia | derived from a real name |
| berlandieri | derived from a real name |
| betle | derived from a real name |
| bi- | two- |
| bilimbi | derived from a real name |
| bipinnata, bipinnatum, bipinnatus | bipinnate
|
| bipinnatifida, bipinnatifidum, bipinnatifidus | twice pinnate |
| biserrata, biserratum, biserratus | twice
serrated |
| bismarckia | derived from a real name |
| blanda, blandum, blandus | mild/pleasant
|
| blaste | embryo |
| botryo | grape |
| botrys | cluster |
| brachy | short |
| -bracteata/um/us | bracted |
| brahea | derived from a real name |
| brassio | derived from a real name |
| brevi | short |
| bullata, bullatum, bullatus | puckered
|
| burretio | derived from a real name |
| butia | originally 'spiny' |
| butyracea, butyraceum, butyraceus | butter-like
|
| caerulea, caeruleum, caeruleus | blue
|
| caesia, caesium, caesius | light-blue
|
| cairica, cairicum, cairicus | from Cairo
|
| calamus | a reed |
| calcia/um/us | time |
| callosa, callosum, callosus | thick |
| calo | beautiful |
| caly- | small |
| calyptro- | covering |
| campe- | huge |
| campechiana, campechianum, campechianus | from Campeche, Mexico |
| campestre, campestris, campicola, campicolum, campicolus | from fields |
| campylo- | bent |
| canariense, canariensis | from the Canary
Isles |
| candida, candidum, candidus | white |
| cantha | spine |
| capense, capensis | from the Cape |
| caperata, caperatum, caperatus | wrinkled
|
| capitata, capitatum, capitatus | head
|
| caraiba | from the Caribbean |
| carana | old name for a palm |
| carnea, carneum, carneus | flesh coloured
|
| carpa/um/us | fruit |
| carpa/um/us | fruit |
| carpentaria | from the gulf of Carpentaria,
Australia |
| caryota | nut |
| -caryum | nut |
| castanea, castaneum, castaneus | chestnut
colour |
| catechu | old name for a palm |
| cathayana, cathayanum, cathayanus | from
Cathay (China) |
| catinga | from Catinga, Brazil |
| caudata, caudatum, caudatus | with a
tail |
| caudex | trunk |
| caulis | trunk, stem |
| ceilanica, ceilanicum, ceilanicus | from
Ceylon |
| -ceps | head |
| cereifera, cereiferum, cereiferus | waxy
|
| cerifera, ceriferum, ceriferus | waxy
|
| chaetes | bristle |
| chamae- | dwarf |
| chambeyronia | derived from a real name |
| chambira | old name for a palm |
| chamissoniana | derived from a real name |
| chauno- | loose |
| cheila/um/us | lip |
| -cheilos | lip |
| chelyo | turtle |
| chlamydo- | cloaked |
| chlor- | green |
| chlorotica, chloroticum, chloroticus | yellow/green |
| chorio | membrane |
| chotama/um/us | fork |
| chotoma/um/us | fork |
| chrys- | golden |
| chunio | derived from a real name |
| ciliare, ciliaris | short-haired |
| ciliata, ciliatum, ciliatus | short-haired
|
| circinale, circinalis | coiled |
| circum | around |
| cirrhifera, cirrhiferum, cirrhiferus | tendril-bearing |
| citrina, citrinum, citrinus | lemon-like
|
| clada/um/us | branch |
| -cladus | branch |
| clara, clarum, clarus | bright |
| clino | bent |
| clona/um/us | varieties |
| cocci | berry |
| coccinea, coccineum, coccineus | red
|
| coccus | berry |
| cochleata, cochleatum, cochleatus | twisted/coiled/spiralled
|
| cocoides | like cocos |
| cocos | monkey (face-shaped) |
| coeleste, coelestis | blue |
| coerulescens | bluish |
| cohune | old name for a palm |
| cola/um | from, inhabiting |
| cola/um/us | upon |
| color | coloured |
| colpo | swelling |
| coma/um/us | hair |
| comia/um/us | hair |
| commune, communis | common, or growing
in groups |
| commututa, commutatum, commutatu | changeable
|
| comosa, comosum, comosus | tufted |
| concinna, concinnum, concinnus | fine/elegant
|
| concolor | same-coloured |
| conferta, confertum, confertus | crowded
|
| copernicia | derived from a real name |
| corallina, corallinum, corallinus | cora
|
| cordata, cordatum, cordatus | heart-shaped
|
| coriacea, coriaceum, coriaceus | leathery
|
| corna/um/us | horn |
| coronata, coronatum, coronatus | crowned
|
| coryne | club |
| corypha | mountain-top (refers to termnal
infloresence) |
| costata, costatum, costatus | ribbed
|
| crassi- | thick |
| crenata, crenatum, crenatus | scalloped
|
| crenulata, crenulatum, crenulatus | with
small indentations |
| crepitans | rattling |
| crinita, crinitum, crinitus | hairy |
| crispa, crispum, crispus | crinkled |
| cristata, cristatum, cristatus | crested
|
| crotalifera | rattle-bearing |
| cruenta, cruentum, cruentus | blood-red
|
| cruziana, cruzianum, cruzianus | from
Cruz, Argentinia |
| cryso- | cold |
| ctenoides | comb-like |
| cucullata, cucullatum, cucullatus | hooded
|
| -cul- | like |
| -culata | jointed |
| culata/um/us | calyx |
| -culata/um/us | shaped |
| cuneata, cuneatum, cuneatus | wedge-shaped
|
| cupida, cupidum, cupidus | desirous |
| cuprea, cupreum, cupreus | copper-coloured
|
| cuprea, cupreum, cupreus | sharp-pointed
|
| -cuspidam/um/us | point |
| cuspidata/um/us | angle |
| cyanea, cyaneum, cyaneus | cyan blue
|
| cymosa, cymosum, cymosus | with cymes
(flower clusters of which central flowers open first) |
| cypho | swelling |
| cyrto | arch |
| dactyl | hand/finger |
| dasy- | thick |
| dealbata, dealbatum, dealbatus | whitish
|
| debile, debilis | weak/puny |
| deca | ten |
| decaryi | derived from a real name |
| decipiens | deceptive |
| deckenia | derived from a real name |
| declinata, declinatum, declinatus | bent
downwards |
| decora, decorum, decorus | decorative
|
| decumbens | creeping with ends upright
|
| decurrens | downward running |
| deflexa, deflexum, deflexus | bent downwards
|
| deltioides | triangular |
| deltoidea/um/us | triangular |
| dendron | tree |
| dendron | tree |
| denta/um/us | teeth |
| diaphana/um/us | transparent |
| dicto | net |
| dillatata/um/us | spreading |
| dioica, dioicum, dioicus | dioecious
|
| disticha, distichum, distichus | arranged
in 2 vertical rows along a stem |
| divaricata, divaricatum, divaricatus | spreading |
| dolomitica, dolomiticum, dolomiticus | of the Dolomites |
| dorea | gift |
| doxa | praise |
| -doxa | praise |
| draco | dragon |
| drymo | wood |
| dulcifica, dulcificum, dulcificus | very
sweet |
| dulcis | sweet |
| dumetosa, dumetosum, dumetosus | bushy
|
| durior | hard, tough |
| dyscrita, dyscritum, dyscritus | described
as bad |
| echinulata, echinulatum, echinulatus | hedgehog-like |
| edule, edulis | edible |
| eissona | crowned |
| elaeis | olive tree |
| elata, elatum, elatus | tall |
| elatior | tall |
| eleio- | water |
| elephas | elephant |
| emarginata/uim/us | notched or grooved
margin |
| -ense, -ensis | from (a place/region)
|
| ensforme/is | sword-like |
| erio- | woolly |
| erosa, erosum, erosus | jagged |
| erubescens | reddish |
| eruca/um/us | fiery red |
| erumpens | erupting |
| erythro- | red |
| -escens | bearing |
| esculenta/um/us | edible |
| etonia | from etonia, Florida |
| eug- | good |
| euterpe | derived from a real name |
| exaltata/um/us | very tall |
| exigua/um/us | small, very weak |
| exor- | exterior |
| faciata/um/us | fastened/bound |
| falcata/um/us | sickle-shaped |
| fallax | misleading |
| fasciata/um/us | bound together |
| fasiculare | grouped |
| -fera | bearing |
| fera/um/us | - bearing |
| ferrea/um/us | of iron |
| feruginea/um/us | rusty coloured |
| fibrosa/um/us | fibrous |
| fida/um/us | divided |
| fida/um/us | cleft/cut |
| filamentosa/um/us | with filaments/threads
|
| filare/is | thread-like |
| filici- | fern |
| fissi- | split |
| fistula/um/us | hollow |
| flabellata/um/us | fan-shaped |
| flabellifer | fan-bearing |
| flagella/um/us | whip |
| flammea/um/us | flame coloured |
| flava/um/us | yellow |
| flavescens | yellowish |
| foetida, foetidum, foetidus | bad-smelling
|
| forficata, forficatum, forficatus | lance-shaped
|
| -forme | - shaped |
| formosa/um/us | beautiful |
| formosana/um/us | from Formosa (Taiwan)
|
| frarinacea/um/us | floury |
| fraxini- | ash (tree) like |
| frons | frond |
| frutescens | shrubby |
| fulgens | shiny |
| fulgida | shining |
| funi- | cord/rope |
| furcata/um/us | fork |
| furfur- | floury |
| fusca/um/us | brown |
| gamiova | old name for a palm |
| gasipaes | derived from a real name |
| gaussia | derived from a real name |
| gena | genesis |
| geni- | bent |
| geonoma | of the earth |
| gibba/um/us | swollen |
| glabra/um/us | smooth and hairless |
| glandulosa/um/us | with glands |
| glauca/um/us | with a layer of thin powder
|
| glaucescens | with a light layer of powder
|
| glauci- | covered with a light bloom
|
| glochin | bristle |
| glomerata | clustered |
| glossa/um/us | tongue |
| glutinosa/um/us | sticky |
| gona/um/us | angle |
| gonio- | angle |
| goptera | wings |
| gracile | graceful |
| gramin- | grassy |
| grata/um/us | pleasant |
| griseo- | gray |
| grono- | cave-(formed) |
| guagara | old name for a palm |
| guihaia | derived from a real name |
| gulubia | old name for a palm |
| guttata/um/us | spot |
| gyna- | female |
| -gyne | female |
| halmoorea | derived from a real name |
| haphe | needle |
| hastata/um/us | arrow shaped |
| hecato- | hundred |
| hedy- | sweet- |
| hetero- | various |
| hexa- | six |
| hidpidula/um/us | bristly |
| hira/um/us | hairy |
| hirsuta/um/us | hairy |
| hispida/um/us | bristly |
| holo- | totally |
| howea | derived from a real name |
| hydria- | water |
| hyo | pig |
| hyphaene | woven |
| hypo- | half/under |
| hystrix | hedgehog-like, bristly |
| ignea/um/us | fiery red |
| igua - | lizard |
| imbricata/um/us | overlapping |
| imitans | imitating/resembling |
| immersa/um//us | immersed/covered |
| imperati | outstanding |
| incarnata/um/us | flesh coloured |
| incisa/um/us | incised |
| inerme/is | unarmed, spineless |
| ingens | fiery coloured |
| insigne/insignis | remarkable |
| ipot | old name for a palm |
| iriartea | derived from a real name |
| -issima/mum.mus | - most |
| itaya | Peruvian river |
| japonica/um/us | from Japan |
| jauari | old name for a palm |
| javanica/um/us | from Java |
| johannesteismannia | derived from a real name |
| juania | derived from a real name |
| jubaea | derived from a real name |
| jubaeopsis | like Jubaea |
| juga/um/us | yoked |
| jugata/um/us | join |
| korthals | derived from a real name |
| lacco | hole |
| laciniosa/um/us | shredded/torn |
| lactea/um/us | milky |
| laeve/laevis | smooth |
| lageni- | bottle shaped |
| lakka | old name for a palm |
| lanata/um/us | woolly |
| lanigera/um/us | hairy |
| lanuginosa/um/us | hairy |
| lasia- | wool |
| lata | shaped |
| latania | derived from a real name |
| lateri- | side- |
| lati- | wide |
| lavoixa | derived from a real name |
| laxi- | open/loose |
| leio- | smooth |
| lene/lenis | soft/smooth |
| leopoldinia | derived from a real name |
| lepidota/um/us | scaly |
| lepis | scale |
| leprosa/um/us | scaly |
| lepto- | thin |
| leuco- | white |
| licuala | derived from a real name |
| ligulata/um/us | with a strap |
| limosa/um/us | marshy |
| lingu- | tongue |
| litica/um/us | stone |
| littorale/is | of the seashore |
| livistona | derived from a real name |
| loddigesii | derived from a real name |
| lodoicea | derived from a real name |
| lorr | hollow |
| louvelia | derived from a real name |
| loxo | angled |
| lucida/um/us | bright/clear |
| lupulina/um/us | yellowish |
| lutea/um/us | yellow |
| lyto | unbound |
| mackeea | derived from a real name |
| macra- | big |
| maculata, maculatum, maculatus | spot
|
| major | bigger |
| makeru | old name for a palm |
| manicaria | like a sleeve |
| mapora | old name for a palm |
| maraja | old name for a palm |
| marajejya | derived from a real name |
| margarita/um/us | pearly |
| marginata/um/us | margined |
| maripa | old name for a palm |
| marmorata/um/us | mottled |
| masoala | derived from a real name |
| mauritia | derived from a real name |
| maxburretta | derived from a real name |
| maximiliana | derived from a real name |
| medemia | nothing/empty |
| medica | medical |
| melana | black |
| mera | part |
| -mera | part |
| metallica/um/us | metallic |
| metr- | heart |
| mexicana/um/us | from Mexico |
| micro/o | tiny |
| militare/is | military |
| miniata/um/us | red |
| minima/um/us | tiniest |
| minuta/um/us | tiny |
| mira/um/us | amazing |
| mirabile/us | wonderful |
| miraguama | derived from a real name |
| mitis | unarmed |
| mitri- | mitre |
| molle/mollis | soft |
| mono- | one/single |
| monstrosa/um/us | monstrous |
| montana/um/us | of the mountains |
| moratia | derived from a real name |
| morpha/um/us | form |
| mosaica/um/us | mosaic-like |
| mucronata/um/us | short-tipped |
| multi- | multi |
| murumuru | old name for a palm |
| mutica/um/us | blunt |
| myria- | many |
| nana/um/us | small |
| neglecta/um/us | neglected |
| nema | thread |
| nemorosa/um/us | of the woods |
| neonicholsonia | derived from a real name |
| nephro- | kidney shaped |
| neura/um/us | nerve |
| nigra/um/us | black |
| nigrescens | black |
| nitida/um/us | shiny |
| no | old name for a palm |
| nobile/um/us | noble |
| normanbya | derived from a real name |
| nota/um/us | noteable |
| nubi- | cloud |
| nuci | nut |
| nura | tail |
| nutans | pendulous |
| nypa | derived from a real name |
| obesa/um/us | fat/thick |
| oblongata/um/us | oblong |
| obtusa/um/us | blunt |
| occidentale/is | oriental |
| ochl- | ochre yellow |
| odora/um/us | odorous |
| odorata/um/us | fragrant |
| odoxa | praise/glory |
| oeno- | vine/wine- |
| oides | -like |
| olei- | oil |
| oleracea/um/us | vegetable/edible |
| oligo | few |
| oligoclona/um/us | rarity |
| on | egg |
| onco | swelling |
| ophio | snake |
| opsis | - like |
| orania | derived from a real name |
| orbiculare/is | round |
| oreo- | rock |
| orops | shrub |
| ortho- | straight |
| osa | from |
| oxy- | acidic/sharp |
| oxylon | wood |
| pachy- | thick |
| pallens | pale |
| pallida/um/us | pallid |
| palmata/um/us | shaped like a hand |
| palmetto | small old name for a palm |
| palu- | swamp |
| paniculata/um/us | with flower panicles
|
| papillosa/um/us | nipple like |
| para- | near to |
| paramaca | old name for a palm |
| parva/um/us | small |
| patens | spreading |
| patula/um/us | spreading/broad |
| pauci- | few |
| pecten | comb |
| pedata/um/us | foot-like |
| pelago | ocean |
| pello | dark |
| peltata/um/us | round shield |
| -pendunculata | pendulous |
| -penni- | feather |
| penta | five |
| perbella/um/us | most beautiful |
| -pes | foot |
| petraea/um/us | rocky |
| phiala | covering |
| -phil- | loving |
| phloeus | wood bark |
| phoenico | date old name for a palm |
| phoenix | date old name for a palm |
| phoenix | date old name for a palm |
| -phor- | bearing |
| -phor- | bearing |
| phorbe | fruit |
| phorium | thief |
| phylla, phyllum | leaf |
| piassaba | old name for a palm |
| picro- | bitter |
| picta/um/us | variegated |
| picturata/um/us | variegated |
| pigafetta | derived from a real name |
| pili- | hairy |
| pilosa/um/us | hair |
| pina/um/us | pine |
| pinanga | derived from a real name |
| pindobassu | old name for a palm |
| pinnata/um/us | pinnate/feather shaped
|
| platy- | broad- |
| plecto | pleat |
| pleio- | many |
| plena/um/us | full |
| plex | folded |
| plicata/um/us | folded |
| plomera/um/us | part |
| plumbea/um/us | lead coloured |
| plumosa/um/us | plumose |
| poaman | old name for a palm |
| poda/um/us | foot |
| pogonotium | bearded |
| porhyro- | purple |
| praemorsa/um/us | truncated |
| precatoria/um/us | in prayer |
| prestoea | derived from a real name |
| princeps | primary/chief |
| pritchardia | derived from a real name |
| procera/um/us | tall |
| prolifera/um/us | many leaved or flowered
|
| propinqua/um/us | close to |
| pruinifera/um/us | blooming |
| pseudo- | false |
| pter | winged |
| ptycho- | fold |
| pubens/pubescens | downy |
| pubigera/um/us | downy |
| pulcheraa/um/us | pretty |
| pulcherrima/um/us | beautiful |
| pulchra/um/us | pretty |
| pullacea/um/us | shape |
| pulverulenta/um/us | powdery |
| pumila/um/us | dwarf |
| pumos | old name for a palm |
| punctata/um/us | spotted/with glands
|
| punicea/um/us | purplish |
| purpurascens, purpureata/um/us | purplish
|
| purpurea, purpureum, purpureus | purple
|
| purpurea/um/us | purple |
| pusilla/um/us | tiny |
| pustulata/um/us | blister-like |
| puteolata/um/us | pitted |
| pygmaea/um/us | tiny |
| pyramidale/is | pyramid-like |
| quadrangulare/is/ata/atum/atus | rectangular
|
| quadriloculare/is | four-compartmented
|
| quinata/um/us | five-parts |
| quinque- | five |
| racemos/um/us | with racemes |
| racinae | rooted |
| radiata/um/us | radiating |
| radicale/is | of a root |
| ramosa/um/us | branch |
| raphia | needle |
| ravenea | derived from a real name |
| reclinata/um/us | reclined |
| recti- | upright |
| recurvata/um/us | bent backwards |
| recurvi-, reflexa- | bent backwards |
| regale/is, regia/um/us | royal |
| reinhardtia | derived from a real name |
| religiosa/um/us | revered |
| remota/um/us | remote |
| renda | old name for a palm |
| repens | spreading |
| reptans | spreading |
| reti- | net |
| reticulata/um/us | net-like |
| retro- | backward |
| retusa/um/us | rounded and notched tip
|
| rex | king |
| rhachis | rachis |
| rhiza/um/us | root |
| rhombea/um/us | diamond shaped |
| rhopa/um/us | club |
| rhops | bush |
| rhytis | wrinkled |
| rigida/um/us | rigid |
| rigiginosa/um/us | red |
| riparia/um/us | from a riverbank |
| rivale/is | from a stream or river |
| robusta/um/us | robust |
| rops | shrub |
| roscheria | derived from a real name |
| rosea/um/us | rosy |
| rostrata/um/us | beaked |
| -rostre | beak |
| roystonea | derived from a real name |
| ruber | red |
| rubescens | reddish |
| rupestre/is | rock-loving, from rocks
|
| rupicola/um/us | rock-loving, from rocks
|
| ruvulare/is | from a stream or river
|
| sabal | old name for a palm |
| saccifer/a/um/us | bag bearing |
| sagu | pam |
| salacca | derived from a real name |
| salici- | willow (like) |
| sancona | derived from a real name |
| sancta/um/us | holy |
| sanguina/eum/eus | deep blood red |
| sapida/um/us | pleasant tasting |
| sarco- | flesh coloured |
| saribus | derived from a real name |
| satakentia | derived from a real name |
| scabra/um/us | rough |
| scandens | climbing |
| schippia | derived from a real name |
| schizo- | split |
| scio- | shade |
| scler- | hard/dry |
| scoparia/um/us | broom-like |
| sebifera/um/us | waxen |
| secta/um/us | section |
| secunda/um/us | one-sided |
| selvae | of the rain forest |
| septentrionale | northern |
| serenoa | derived from a real name |
| serpyll- | thyme |
| serrata/um/us | toothed |
| setacea/um/us | bristly |
| setigera/um/us | bristly |
| setosa/um/us | bristly |
| setulosa/um/us | bristly |
| silvestre/is | from forests |
| simplex | simple, non-compound |
| simulans | resembling |
| sinense/is, sinica/u/um/us | chinese
|
| sinuata/um/us | sinuous/wavy |
| sipho- | tube |
| socratea | socrates |
| sommieria | derived from a real name |
| spadix | spadix |
| spatha/um/us | spathe |
| speciosa/um/us | showy |
| sperma/um/us | seed |
| sphaero- | sphere |
| spicigera/um/us | spike-bearing |
| spina | spine |
| spissa/um/us | crowded/thick |
| squamosa/um/us | scaly |
| squarrosa/um/us | spreading |
| stachya/um/us | spike |
| stangeria | derived from a real name |
| stans | standing/erect |
| staura- | crossed |
| stele | column |
| stellata/um/us | star-like |
| steno- | narrow |
| stica/um/us | fragrance |
| -sticha | row/rank |
| strepto- | twisted |
| striata/um/us | stripe |
| striata/um/us | stripe |
| stricta/um/us | upright |
| strigosa/um/us | bristly |
| strobil | cone |
| suaveolens | fragrant |
| sub- | to a lesser extent/under |
| sundaica/um/us | from the Sunda Isles
|
| surattense/um/us | from Surat (Thailand)
|
| sylvatica/um/us | from the forest |
| sylvestre/is | from the woods |
| syna | joined |
| tabulae- | tablet (formed) |
| taedi | torch |
| taitense/is | from Tahiti |
| tecti | roof |
| tegulanea/um/us | from the roof |
| tenaci- | strong |
| tenax | strong |
| tenella/um/us | delicate |
| tenue/is | delicate/thin |
| tepejilote | old name for a palm |
| terminale/is | end, final |
| ternatea/um/us | from Ternate (Malaysia)
|
| texta/um/us | fabric |
| thaipingense/is | from Malaya |
| thebaica/um/us | from Thebes (Egypt)
|
| thrinax | fan |
| thyrsi- | spiked inflorescence |
| tigill- | with small logs |
| tomentella/um/us | small hair |
| tomentosa/um/us | woolly |
| tortuosa/um/us | twisted |
| totai | old name for a palm |
| trachy- | rough |
| trans- | across |
| tremula/um/us | trembling/shaking |
| tri- | three |
| tricha | hair |
| tricha/um/us | hair |
| trinitense/is | from Thailand |
| tuberculata/um/us | tubercled |
| tubi- | tubed |
| ulmi- | elm (like) |
| umbra- | umbrella (like) |
| undata/um/us | undulated/wavy |
| urens | stinging |
| uresana/um/us | from Ures (Mexico) |
| utan | old name for a palm |
| utile/is | useful |
| utri- | bladder |
| uvi- | egg |
| vagans | wandering, widely distributed
|
| -vaginata | sheathed |
| valida/um/us | valid, well developed
|
| veillonia | derived from a real name |
| veitchia | derived from a real name |
| velutina/um/us | velvety |
| venosa/um/us | veined |
| ventricosa/um/us | with a swelling |
| venusta/um/us | beautiful |
| verecunda | shy |
| verrucosa/um/us | warty |
| verschaffelita | derived from a real name |
| versi- | variously |
| vesti- | wrapped/cloaked |
| villosa/um/us | hairy |
| viminale/is | pliable |
| violacea/um/us | violet |
| virens | green |
| virens | green |
| viride/is | green |
| vittata/um/us | stripe |
| vittata/um/us | striped |
| volcanense/um/us | from a volcano |
| volubile/is | twining |
| vulgare/is | common |
| vulgata/um/us | common |
| wallichia | derived from a real name |
| washingtonia | derived from a real name |
| welfia | derived from a real name |
| wendlandiella | derived from a real name |
| wettinia | derived from a real name |
| winin | old name for a palm |
| wodyetia | derived from a real name |
| yapa | old name for a palm |
| yatay | old name for a palm |
| zalacca | old name for a palm |
| zebrina/um/us | zebra-like |
| zeylanica/um/us | from Sri-Lanka |
| zombia | derived from a real name |
| zonata/um/us | zoned |