Roots of Common Terms in Plant Evolution and Diversity
Roots: Plants and Words Both Have Them
(L = Latin, G = Greek, F = French, Ge = German, U = Unknown Origin)
Angiosperm
angio = vessel, as in seed vessel, taken from angeion (G); sperm = seed (G)
Bryophyte
bryo = moss, taken from bruon (G); phyte = plant from phuton (G)
Cotyledon
kotuledon = cup-shaped cavity (G)
Cuticle
cutis = skin (L)
Deciduous
decidere = to fall down or off (L)
(Eu)dicot
di = two; cot is short for cotyledon (G)
Endosperm
endo = within (G); sperma = seed (G)
Ephedrine
ephedra, also a plant genus = horsetail (because Ephedra plants look like
horse tails)
Equisetum
equis from equus = horse (L); setum from saeta = bristle (L)
Frond
frons = leaf (L)
Gametophyte
gameto from gameîn = to marry (G); phuton = plant (G)
Germinate
germinare = to sprout (L)
Gymnosperm
gumnos = naked (G); sperma = seed (G)
Herbaceous
herbaceus = grassy (L)
Monocot
mono = one; cot = cotyledon
Ovary
ovum = egg (L)
Phloem
phloos = bark (G)
Rhizoid
rhiza = root (G)
Rhizome
rhiza = root (G)
Sphagnum
sphagnos = a type of moss (G)
Spore
spora = sowing or seed (G)
Sporophyte
spora = seed (G); phuton = plant (G)
Strobilus
strobilos (G), from strephein = to twist (G)
Thallus
thallos = green shoot (G)
Vascular
vas = vessel (L)
Xylem
xulon = wood (G)