Taxa Field Guide

Gk. kleros = chance or fate; dendron = tree. The Ceylonese ‘chance-tree’; alludes to a native legend that the trees possessed medicinal properties, and also to the uncertainty of the medicinal properties of the different species.

For Ole Haaslund-Smith (Schmidt) (d August, 1801, not 1802 as often stated), Danish botanist and naturalist, traveller and plant collector. In 1799 he went to Ghana with Peter Thonning (1775–1848), Danish physician and botanist. His contract was to do service there for three years, but he contracted a tropical illness and died.

From the Greek leon, lion; ous, -otis, ear; from the supposed resemblance of a single floret to a lion's ear.

From the Hebrew marrob = bitter juice; referring to the leaves, which are said to have a wide range of beneficial uses such as for coughs, colds and as an antidote to snake bite poison. Recent research (2012) shows it contains ‘antidiabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties’ (Wikipedia.org).

Gk. okimon = smell, fragrance. The genus contains aromatic herbs such as Basil (O. basilicum).

Gk. Rabdosia (q.v.); -iella = diminutive; referring to its shape.

Originally named Tsjerou-Theka (the Malayalam name, cheriya = small; thekku = teak) as stated in Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus, later Latinised by Rafinesque as Rotheca.

La. salvia = the sage plant; a name used by Pliny the Elder, from La. salvere = to heal; referring to the medicinal properties claimed for some species.

Gk. for a spike (originally ear of wheat); referring to the inflorescence that is often a spike.

Gk. teukrion for germander, from Teukros (Teucer), first king of Troy, son of Scamandar and father-in-law of Dardanus. He was said to have introduced one species into medicine.

Named after the genus Apium including Apium graveolens - celery.

Named after the moss genus Bryum. Bryum is derived from bryon, the Greek word for moss.

Named after the genus Cannabis which includes C. sativa, C. indica and C. ruderalis. Common names include Hemp Marijuana, Dope, Dagga, Mary Jane, All species are psychedelic though THC levels differ.

From the Greek kelastros, holly; from kelas, the late season; referring to the fruits being retained on the tree throughout winter.