LATIN / BINOMIAL / SCIENTIFIC / BOTANICAL PLANT NAMES The purpose of the Latin or botanical name of plants is to provide some information about a particular plant that distinguishes it from other plants. The first part of the binomial name always names the Genus to which the plant belongs (although this can change from time to time dependent upon the whim of taxonomists). The genus name is also descriptive of that particular genus, describing some aspect of it. The second part of the binomial name is the species name; the adjective applied to the plant, called the specific epithet, which is often helpful in describing the plant. The specific epithet may tell us the colour of the flowers, the height of the plant, whether the leaves are long and thin or short and fat, whether the plant is prickly, where it comes from (which might give us a clue as to how hardy it is), what sort of conditions it occurs in naturally, how big it is, whether it's a climber or whether it's creeping, whether it's deciduous, has a bulb, is edible - or whatever else the person who found it (correctly or mistakenly) thought most remarkable, noteworthy and unique about it. Like many other languages, Latin assigns genders to all its nouns, and the adjectives have to be compatible with the gender of the noun they describe. In plant names, therefore, those genera which are deemed masculine will end with -us, those that are feminine will terminate with -a, and those that are neuter will end in -um (plus some others with alternative endings), but all have much the same meaning. However, not all binomial names are in Latin. Some are in Greek, or a binomial combination of both Latin and Greek. Some are invented latinesque-type names which were never a part of the original Latin language, or are even a bastardised admixture of latin and greek forms in one word. The list below shows the meanings of the specific epithets, grouped by meaning.

Habitat
Terrestris	In dry soil
Amphibia / Amphibius	Living on land and in water
Aquatilis / Aquaticus / Aquaticum	In water
Fontana / Fontanum	Of Springs / Near Water
Palustris / Palustre	Of Marshland or Bog
Uliginosum / Uliginosa	Of Marshland / Fen
Paludosa / Paludosus	Of Bog
Rivale / Rivalis / Rivularis	By a Brook / Water
Fluviatile / Fluviatilis	In a River
Stagnalis	Still Water / Pond
Lacustris	Of Ponds or Lakes
Rupicola	On hills
Clivora	On hills
Montana / Montanus	On a mountain
Alpina / Alpinum / Alpinus / Alpestris	Alpine
Alpicola / Alpestris	Mountains
Arcticum / Arctica	Arctic
Glacialis	in Cold Areas
Oreades	Mountain Nymph
Submontana	Below Mountains
Uplandicum	Uplands
Hypogeus	Underground
Saxatalis / Saxatilis	Of Stoney Places
Rupestris	Of Cliffs/Rocks
Petraea	On Rocks
Saxicola	On Rocks
Muralis / Parietina	On Walls
Tectorius	On Roofs
Arenia / Arenarium / Arenaria / Arenarius	On Sand / Dunes
Dunensis	On Dunes
Maritima / Maritimum / Maritimus / Marina / Marinum	By the Sea
Paralis	On the Beach
Littorea / Littoralis	On the Seashore
Arboricola	On Trees
Sylvatica / Sylvestris	In a Wood
Nemerosa / Nemorum	Of the Woods
Arvensis / Arvense	Of Arable/Ploughed Fields
Pratensis / Pratense	In a Meadow
Sepium	Of Hedges
Campestre / Campestris	Fields / Lowland Plains / Open Country
Nivalis	Of Snow
Urbanum	Related to Towns
Hortensis	Garden (not Wild) / Horticultured
Sativa / Sativum / Sativus	A crop plant / Cultivated

Colour
Caeruleum / Caerulea	Dark-blue
Caerulescens	Blueish
Azureum / Azurea	Sky-blue
Cyanus	Blue
Caesius	Lavender blue
Pavonius	Peacock blue
Violacea / Viloaceus	Violet
Purpurea / Purpureus	Purple
Phoenicea	Purple
Magenta	Reddish-Purple
Purpureum / Purpurea / Purpurella / Purpurata	Dull-red Purple
Ignea	Fiery Red
Erythraea / Erythrea	Red
Cerasifera / Cerasus	Red
Punica	Red
Atropurpurea	Dark Purple
Puniceus	Reddish-Purple
Rufida	Reddish
Atrorubens	Dark-Red
Purpurocaeruleuma	Blue and Purple
Coccinea / Coccineus / Cardinalis	Scarlet
Rubens / Rubra	Red
Rubellum	Reddish
Sanguineum / Sanguineus / Sanguinea	Blood Red
Rosea / Roseus	Rose-pink
Aurantiaca / Auratiacus	Orange
Aurantium / Aurea / Aureus	Orange / Golden Yellow
Flavescens	Turning Yellowish
Luridum	Pale Yellow
Flavum / Flava	Yellow
Xantho-	Yellow
Croceus	Saffron Yellow
Crysantha	Yellow (of anthers?)
Luteus / Luteola / Lutea	Deep Yellow
Luteolus / Sulphurea	Pale Yellow
Flavidus	Slightly Yellow
Viridis / Viridula / Viride / Virens	Green
Chloro-	Green
Atrovirens	Dark Green
Casius / Caesia	Bluish or Greenish Grey
Glaucum	Glaucous (bluish [or greenish] grey
Argentatum / Argetea	Silvery
Candidus / Candida	Bright / White
Calcareus	Chalky White
Alba / Albus / Album / Albida / Albicans	White
Leuco-	White
Canum	White / Hoary
Albescens	Whitish
Niveus	Snow Whit
Canescens	Greyish-White
Cinerea	Grey
Incana	Grey
Molybdo-	Leaden-Grey
Ustalata	Burnt
Nigricans	Blackening
Niger / Nigra / Nigrum	Black (or poisonous)
Pallida	Cream
Ochroleuca	Cream
Incarnata	Flesh-coloured
Stramineus	Straw-coloured
Brunnescens	Browning / Bronzed
Fusca	Brown
Concolor	Same colour
Discolor	Two-coloured
Trionum / Tricolor	Three-coloured
Chrom- / Chromo- / chroum	Coloured / Pigmented
Lucidum / Lucens / Nitida / Fulgens	Shiny / Glossy

Flowers
Florida	Flowering
Anthus	Flower
Flora- / Flos-	Flower
Densiflora	Densely-flowered
Multiflora	Many-flowered
Pauciflora	Few-flowered
Uniflora	One-flowered
Micrantha	Small-flowered
Parviflora / Parviflorus	Puny Flower
Grandiflorus / Grandiflora	Large-flowered
Longiflora	Long-flowered
Macrantha	Large-flowered
Nodiflorum	Flowers sprouting from Nodes
Octopetalla	Eight-petalled
Lupulina	Having Hops
Stellaris	Starry
Noctiflora / Nocturnum	Night-flowering
Campanulata	Bell-shaped
Viridiflorus	Green-Flowered
Chloranthus	Green-flowered
Chrysantha	Golden-Flowered
Paniculata	Flowers in Panicles
Racemosum	Flowers in Racemes
Flore pleno	'with full flower' - Double-flowered. Associated more with cultivated varieties

Leaf Shape
Rotundifolia	Round-leaved
Nummularia	Coin-shaped
Obtusifolia / Obtusifolium	Blunt-leaved
Brevifolia	Short-leaved
Longifolia	Long-leaved
Latifolia / Latifolium	Broad-leaved
Latifolia	Wide-leaved
Augustifolium	Narrow-leaved
Tenuifolia	Slender-leaved / Thin-leaved
Lanceolata / Lancifolium	Lance-shaped
Ensata / Xiphium	Sword-like
Planifolia	Linear-leaved
Ovata / Ovalifolium	Ovate / Oval
Cordata	Heart-shaped
Peltata	Shield-shaped
Subulata	Awl-shaped
Sagittifolium	Arrow-shaped
Ficus	Fig-shaped
Ulmus / Ulmaria / Ulmifolia	Elm-shaped
Quercifolia	Oak-leaved
Hedera / Hederaceus	Ivy-leaved
Vitifolia	Vine-leaved
Ficifolia	Fig-leaved
Bellidifolia	Daisy-leaved
Serpyllifolia	Thyme-leaved
Botrys / Botryoides	Kidney-shaped / Bunch-of-Grapes-like
Ovalifolia	Oval-leaved
Palmata	Lobed like a Hand

Leaf Edge
Dentata	Concavely Toothed
Crenata	Convexly Toothed
Serrata	Saw-toothed
Sinuata	Wavy-toothed
Lacinata / Laciniata	Irregularly and deeply cut
Integerrima / Integrifolia	Without teeth / Entire
Crispula / Crispus / Crispa	Wrinkly / wavy
Undulatum / Undulata	Wavy
Plicatus / Plicata	Pleated

Leaves
Folius	Leaved
Parvifolia	Small-leaved
Microphylla	Small-leaved
Macrophylla	Large-leaved
Platyphyllos	Large-leaved
Oppositofolia / Oppositifolia	Opposite-leaved
Alternifolia / Alternata	Alternate-leaved
Heterophyllum	Different-leaved
Ternata	In Groups of Three
Trifolia / Trifoliata	Three-leaved
Tetralix / Tetraphyllum	(4) Leaves in a Whorl
Quadrifolia	Four-leaved
Quinquefolia	Five-Leaved
Digitata	Hand-like leaves/ with 5 lobes
Verticulatum	Whorled
Paucifolia	With Few leaves
Foliosa	Leafy
Polyphyllus / Polyphylla	Many leaves / leaflets
Millefolium	With Thousands of Leaflets
Perfoliatum	Two opposite leaves fused together with stem piercing centre
Connata	Two organs fused together. When applied to leaves: Two opposite leaves fused together with stem piercing centre
Decurrens	Base of Leaf pierced by Stem
Pinnatus / Pinnata	Pinnate
Polifolia	Grey-leaved
Cristata	Crested
Tripolium	Three-veined
Trinervia	Three-veined
Reticulata	Net-veined / Reticulated
Nervosa	Conspicuously veined
Variegatum	Bi-coloured leaves
Sempervirens	Evergreen
Decidua	Deciduous

Shape / Posture
Erecta / Recta	Upright
Verticillatum	Vertical
Altissimus / Altissima	Tall
Longus	Long
Pendula	Drooping
Nutans / Cernuus	Nodding / Nutating
Reptans	Prostrate
Prostata / Prostratus	Prostrate
Procumbens	Prostrate
Humifusa / Humifusum / Humilis	Prostrate / Low-growing
Stoloniferus	Underground stolons
Repens	Creeping
Chamaedrys	Creeping
Patula	Spreading
Effusus	Spread-out
Supinum	Flat on the Ground
Spicata	Spiked
Flexuosa / Flexuosum	Zig-zag / Tortuous
Conopsia	Cone-shaped
Pyramidalis / Pyramidata	Pyramidal
Umbellatum / Umbellatum	Umbrella-like
Deltoides / Deltoidea	Triangular (equilateral)
Spicant / Spicata	Spiked
Caespitosa / Comosa	Tufted?? Dense??
Obtusangula	Obtuse-angled
Truncata	Truncated
Arboreus / Arborescens	Becoming Tree-like
Arborescens	Tree-like
Fruticosa / Fruticosus	Shrubby
Cistus	Shrub
Suffruticosa	Sub-shrubby
Multiplex	With Many Stems
Furcatus	Forked
Dichotomus	Dichomous / Branching by repeated bifurcation
Infracta / Incurvum	Curving inwards

Hairs
Glabra	Smooth / Hairless
Laevigatum	Smooth
Canum / Incana	Hoary / White / Grey
Lanata	Woolly
Capillaris	With Hairs
Villosa / Vilosum	Softly Hairy
Polytrichus	Hairy
Tomentosa	Woolly Hairy / Tomentose
Hirsuta / Hirsutum / Hirta	Hairy
Pilosa / Pilosum	Hairy
Pubescens	Hairy (or ripe)
Barbata	Bearded / Hairy
Velutina	Velvety
Setosa / Setosus / Setosum	Bristly
Hispidus	With Coarse Bristles
Pilosus / Crinita	Long-haired

Property
Scaber	Climbing
Scandens	Climbing
Volubilis	Twining
Viscosus / Viscosa / Viscaria	Sticky
Glutinosa	Sticky
Granulata	With Little Knobs
Sphondylium	Rounded
Corniculatus	Horned
Petiola	Stalked
Nodosa	Nobbly / With Nodes
Glandulifera	With Glands
Bulbosum / Bulbosa	Bulbous
Hypnoides	Below the Nodes
Helio	of the Sun
Helioscopia	Looks at the Sun
Auri	Little Ear
Podium	Foot
Cruciata	Cross-shaped
Tridactyl	Three-fingered
Dissectum / Dissecta	Deeply Divided / Cleft
Farinosa	Mealy
Squamaria	Scaly
Radicata	Having Roots
Radicans	With Rooting Stems
Tuberosum / Tuberosus	Tuberous Roots
Macrorhiza	Large Roots
Acaulis	Large Stemless
Graminae / Graminifolia	Grass-like
Tenella	Dainty
Striata / Striatus	Striated / Ridged / Striped
Vittatum	Banded
Elongata	Elongated
Rigescens	Somewhat Rigid
Inflexus	Inflexible
Rigidissimus	Very Rigid
Robustus	Stout / Rigid
Flexilis	Pliable
Fragilis	Fragile
Helix / Spiralis	Helical / Coiled
Glomerata	Clustered
Triangularis	3-angled
Quadrangularis	4-angled
Tetragonum	Square-stemmed
Tetraplesum	4-winged (stalk)
Sexangularis	6-angled
Septemlobus	7-lobed
Octoflorus	8-flowered
Novemneris	9-nerved
Decemlobus	10-lobed
Subterraneum	Burrowing
Maculatum / Maculata / Maculosa	Spotted
Punctata	Spotted
Sphaerocephalon	Round-headed
Virgatum / Virgata	Twiggy
Inflata	Swollen / Inflated
Spinosa / Spinosum	Spiny
Fistulosa	Tubular
Discolor	Two-coloured
Trionum / Tricolor	Three-coloured
Aspera / Asper	Rough
Macrocarpa	Large-fruited
Compacta	Compact
Armata	Prickly
Bulbifera	Bearing Bulbs
Furcatus	Forked
Ramosum	Branched
Dichotomus	Dichomous / Branching by repeated bifurcation

Healing
Officinalis / Officinale	Medicinal / Used by apothecaries
Officinarum	Of Herb use
Catharticum	Purging
Dysenteria	For treating dysentry
Vulneria	For healing wounds
Frammula	Inflammatory

Edibility
Sativa / Sativum / Sativus	A crop plant / Cultivated
Edulis	An edible plant
Esculentis	An edible plant
Oleraceous	Kitchen pot herb
Officinalis	of herb use (not necessarily edible!)

Seasons
Vernus / Vernum / Verna / Veris / Vernalis	Spring
Autumnalis / Autumnale	Autumn
Aestivum / Aestivalis	Summer
Hyemalis	Winter
Nivalis	Snow
Frigidus / Frigida	Cold
Annua / Annuus	Annual
Biennis	Biennial
Perennis / Perenne	Perennial
Rediviva	Reviving (Perennial)
Praecox	Early flowering / Spring
Serotina	Late flowering
Majalis	Of the month of May

Compass Points
Borealis / Boreale	Northern
Australis	Southern
Orientalis	Eastern
Occidentalis / Hesperius	Western

Country
Cambrica / Cambrensis / Cambricus	Welsh
Cornubiensis	Cornwall
Anglica / Anglicum	English
Scoticum / Scotica	Scottish
Kewensis	Kew Gardens
Zetlandica	Shetland Isles
Europaea / Europaeus	European
Islandica	Icelandic
Danica	Danish
Hollandica / Neerlandica	Holland
Hispanica	Spanish
Norvegica	Norwegian
Canadensis	Canadian
Caucasia	Caucasian
Bohemica	Bohemian
Pyrenaicum / Pyrenaica	Pyrenean
Chinense / Sinense / Sinensis	Chinese
Italicum / Italicus	Italian
Americanus / Americana	American
Baltica	Baltic
Maroccana	Morocco
Japonica / Japonicus	Japanese
Asiatica / Asiaticus	Asian
Austriaca / Austricus	Austrian
Camtschatcense	Kamchatka
Germanica / Germanicus	Germany
Cyparissias	Cypress
Abyssinica / Ethiopica	Ethiopia
Siberica / Sibirica	Siberia
Armeniacum	Armenia
Cashmiriani	Kashmir
Arabicus	Arabia
Africanus	Africa
Helvetica	Switzerland
Zeylanicus	Ceylon
Indicus	India
Russica	Russia
Australiensis	Australia
Graeca	Greece
Chilensis	Chile
Bonariensis	Buenos Aires
Canariensis	Canary Isles
Capensis	Cape, South Africa
Chilensis	Chile

Abundance
Vulgaris / Vulgare / Vulgatum	Common
Communis	Common
Prolifera	Proliferous

Reproduction / Sex
Sterilis	Sterile / Barren
Dioica	Divided (M & F on separate stems/plants)
Viviparum / Vivipara	Germinating whilst still attached to its parent
Hybridus	Hybrid (Genus × bbb)
Chimaera	A cross (hybrid)
Intermedia	A cross (hybrid)
Digyna	With 2 Styles or Carpels
Pentandra	Five-stamenned
Hexandra	Six-stamenned
Hermaphroditia	Male & Female
Pubescens	Ripe (or hairy)
Exoleta	Mature
Polygama	Mixed Gender
Polysperma	With many Seeds
Parthenos / Parthenium	Maidens / Virgin
Mascula	Male
Femina	Female
Haploid	Containing only one (homologous) set of chromosomes
Diploid	Containing 2 (homologous) sets of chromosomes, the normal for eukaryotic species which contain a cell nucleus, animals, plants and fungi
Triploid	Containing 3 (homologous) sets of chromosomes
Tetraploid	Containing 4 (homologous) sets of chromosomes, such as Durum wheat and many Brassicas
Hexaploid	Containing 6 (homologous) sets of chromosomes, such as bread wheat
Polyploid	Containing >2 paired (homologous) sets of chromosomes, especially common in plants. Such plants are usually taller and more rugged.
Allopolyploidy	The doubling of the number of chromosomes
Homologous Chromosomes	One set of chromosomes, comprising a maternal and paternal pair.
Homeologous Chromosomes	Partially similar chromosomes from differing species.

The Sex of Flowers
Plant Sexuality	Plant Sexuality
Hermaphrodite	All flowers having male and female characteristics
Andromonoecy	Separate male and female flowers on the same plant
Gynomonoecy	Both female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant
Monoecy	Separate female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant
Androdioecy	Male plants co-exist with hermaphrodite or monoecious plants
Gynodioecy	Female plants co-exist with hermaphrodite or monoecious plants
Dioecy	Male and female flowers on separate plants
Sub-Dioecy	Possessing both hermaphroditic and dioeceous properties
Notho-	A Hybrid
Other	more complex arrangements

Magnitude
Minutus	Very small
Nana	Small
Bumilis / Pumilus	Dwarf
Pygmaea	Small
Parvi-	Small
Micro-	Small
Pumila	Small
Minimus / Minima	Smallest
Vesca	Little
Minus / Minor	Lesser / Smaller
Media / Intermedia	Intermediate / Middle / Medium
Major / Majus	Greater / Larger
Elatum	Tall
Procera / Procerum / Procerus	Taller
Exaltatum / Exaltus	Very Tall
Altissima / Altissimum / Altissimus / Altus	Tallest
Grandis	Large
Magna	Big
Majus	Bigger
Gigantea / Giganteum / Giganteus	Giant
Maximum / Maxima	Largest
Major	Greater
Minor	Lesser

Aesthetics
Formosa / Amabilis	Beautiful
Decorus	Beautiful
Tenella	Dainty
Elegans	Elegant
Elegantissimo	Most Elegant
Eximia / Princeps	Distinguished
Nobile	Notable
Bella	Pretty
Pulchellum / Pulchellus	Pretty
Splendens / Splendidum	Splendid
Venusta	Charming
Superba / Superbus	Superb
Magnifica	Magnificent
Spectabilis	Spectacular
Gloriosa	Glorious
Gracilis	Graceful
Jucundum	Pleasing
Blanda	Pleasant
Fastuosum	Proud

Odour
Odorata / Odoratus / Odoratum	Scented / Perfumed
Tetrahit	Foetid
Foetidus / Foetida / Foetidissima	Stinking
Graveolens	Strong Smelling
Moscatum / Moschata / Moschatus	Musky odour
Fragrans	Fragrant
Suaveolens	Sweetly scented
Inodorum / Inodora	Scentless

Taste
Acris / Acre	Acrid, Sharp Taste
Acetosa / Acetosella	Acidic
Amarella / Amarus	Bitter
Oxycoccus	Sharp tasting

Dye
Tinctoria / Tinctorius / Tinctorum	A plant useful for extracting a dye
Crocata	Citron-yellow (dye)

Misc
Sorbus	Berry
Vulneratis	Wounded / Damaged
Ophrys	Testicle
Canina	Dog
Saxifraga	Stone-breaker
Molle / Mollis / Mollugo	Soft
Columbaria	Dove-like
Insectifera	Insect bearing
Pulverulenta	Dusty
Farinosa	Floury / Powdery
Verum	True
Sominifera	Sleep inducing
Nocturna	Nocturnal

Prefixes & Suffixes
-phylla	Leaves
-folia	Leaves
-macro	Large
-flora	Flowers
-antha	Flowers
-oides	Looks like / Similar to
-escens	Becoming
Poly-	Many
Xantho-	Green
Chloro-	Green
Leuco-	White
Chromo-	Coloured
Flora-	Flower
Flos-	Flower
Micra- / Micro-	Small
Macra- / Macro-	Large
Notho-	A Hybrid
Parvi-	Small
Pauci-	Few
Uni- Mon-	One
Bi- / Di-	Two
Tri-	Three
Quadr(i/a)- / Tetra-	Four
Quinque- / Penta-	Five
Sex- / Hex-	Six
Septem- / Hepta-	Seven
Octo-	Eight
Novem- / Ennea-	Nine
Decum- / Deca-	Ten
Epi-	Over / Above / Upon - (Epic)
Sub-	Below / Beneath / Less than

Nomenclature
sens. lat. (or s.l.)	sensu lato in the broadest sense : denotes 'no taxon'; it is used to mean that it encompasses all taxon of the species.
senso stricto (or s.s.)	in the strictest sense : used to denote that it applies to only one taxon, e.g. Polypodium vulgare ss. (rather than Polypodium vulgare sl.)
agg.	aggregate: a group of closely related species or sub-species.
sp.	Species (singular).
spp.	Species (plural)
subsp. (or ssp.)	A sub-species of the taxonomic rank having various small differences, but which can interbreed with each other
microsp. (or microssp.)	A microspecies of the taxonomic rank having a continuous spectrum of various small differences often perpetuated by apomixis (reproduction without fertilization) - a genetic swarm, as in Taraxacum (Dandelion) microspp and Rubus (Bramble) microspp.
var.	A differing variety of the species in question, a naturally occurring and distinct form of a plant, but of lower rank than is a sub-species.
sect. or sectio	A sub-genus, between a genus and a species.
+	A chimera created by a grafting process, e.g. Aesculus + domestica (Dallimore's Chestnut), being a fusion between Horse-Chestnut and Yellow Buckeye
cv.	Cultivar. 'cultivated variety' or man-made hybrid. The cultivar common name is often shown between single quotes, e.g. Mallus domestica cv. 'Granny Smith'
nom. nud.	Latin: Nomen nudum = naked name). A name which is not currently accepted
nom. illeg.	Nomen illegitimum - an illegitimate name
nom. superfl.	Nomen superfluum - a superfluous name
syn.	Synonym - a mis-applied name from another Author
auct. brit	Auctorum Brit. - a name mis-used by British authors
auct. non	Auctorum non - a previously used name for a species
<Genus Name>  a × b	Denotes a hybrid between species 'a' and species 'b'.
<Genus Name> × c	Denotes it is the 'common name' of the hybrid (between two un-specified plants a and b).
X <Genus Name> b	The large 'X' denotes that it is an inter-genera hybrid. Sometimes alternately shown as '<Genus Name A> X <Genus Name B> c'
±	Approximately, tendency towards, not all do, varies, airy-fairy get-out clause!
flore pleno	'with full flower' - Double-flowered. Associated more with cultivated varieties
SSSI	A Site of Special Scientific Interest (but not necessarily for flora!)  SSSIs
NNR	A National Nature Reserve (but not necessarily for flora, it could be for wildlife, geology, etc)  NNRs in England

Map Areas
Myriad	100km x 100km (shown as bolder blue lines on OS maps)  Reqs 2-letter Grid Ref, eg SD
Hectad	10km x 10km (an OS 'tile')  A myriad divided into 100 square areas. There are ~3854 hectads in the British Isles discounting some tiny ones near the coast occupying as little as 1m2. Reqs 2-figure Grid Ref, eg SD15
Quadrant	5km x 5km  (not to be confused with quadrats below). Not an OS grid unit; a hectad divided into 4 square areas.  Reqs 2-fig Grid Ref suffixed by one of these four 2-letter combos: SW, NW, NE, SE. eg. SD15NE
Tetrad	2km x 2km   Not an OS grid unit; a hectad divided into 25 square areas.  Reqs 2-figure Grid Ref plus a 'DINTY' (A-Z missing 'I') letter, eg SD15T
Monad	1km x 1km (aka 'Grid Square')  A hectad divided into 100 square areas.  Reqs 4-figure Grid Ref, eg SD1252
Hectare	100m x 100m [abbrev. ha] (aka Centisquare)  A monad divided into 100 square areas.  Reqs 6-figure Grid Ref, eg SD123523
Quadrat	The area within a small sub-divided frame of any size but usually 0.5m x 0.5m or 1m x 1m which is (usually arbitrarily) placed on the ground for recording species
Transect	Walking in a set line (marked by rope, not necessarily straight) to record species. Because how many plants you recognise might depend on the resolution of your eyes the plants have to be touching the rope to count. Use a very thick rope...
Vice County Map (simple)	Botanists cut up the UK into Vice Counties, where the boundaries do not constantly change at the whim of politicians or electioneers. Most are bounded by natural obstacles in the landscape such as rivers, hence the squiggly lines.
Vice County Map (scalable)  (Cucaera.co.uk)	This Vice County map is scaleable and uses Ordnance Survey maps which includes mountains, valleys and contours. Unfortunately if used on a mobile phone it doesn't use the GPS for your position. Your Author has pre-selected the modern OS map as background for the reader, but other maps are available by using the options menu near top right.

Most of the above areas are tied (quantised) to the UK Ordnance Survey grid, and are not located at arbitrary geographic locations (as far as their use in species recording is concerned. e.g. Farmers may differ re hectares of arbitrary shape).