In this book Stearn gives the meaning and origin of some 6000 botanical names, selecting those most likely to be encountered by gardeners and horticulturists. No other single source provides so much etymological information for the gardener, the result of years of scholarship and original research by the distinguished author. Also listed are 3000 of the most widely accepted vernacular names, cross-indexed to their correct scientific names, an invaluable reference for gardeners, writers, and historians. Plant classification and binomial nomenclature are explained, and there are notes on the structure and pronunciation of botanical Latin. No other single source provides so much etymological information for the gardener.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This volume updates and expands the 1972 Gardener's Dictionary of Plant Names by the same author, which in turn updated A.W. Smith's Gardener's Book of Plant Names (1963). You may want to keep the earlier volumes for their pronunciation guides, but definitely buy the new volume for its inclusion of 6000 botanical names, with definitions and derivations, plus 3000 common names, cross-referenced to their botanical names. This is indisputably the best dictionary of plant names available and is essential for botanical and horticultural libraries. Public libraries on a tight budget that already own Allen Coombes's Dictionary of Plant Names (Timber Pr., 1985) would be safe to pass; others may want to add it for its excellent chapter explaining how plants are named and why plant names change.
- Laura Lipton, Miller Horticulture Lib., Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Laura Lipton, Miller Horticulture Lib., Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Provides an enormous range of truly fascinating etymological information." Southeastern Naturalist, July 2003 (Southeastern Naturalist )
"Impressive."
—American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter, 2003 (American Herb Association )
"Impressive."
—American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter, 2003 (American Herb Association )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mature plant name dictionary,
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This review is from: Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners: A Handbook on the Origin and Meaning of the Botanical Names of Some Cultivated Plants (Paperback)
This is the work of the author of "Botanical Latin", the indispensable reference for those delving deeply into plant taxonomy. He is thus quite qualified to do what he did here: extensively revise "A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names" by A.W.Smith (1963, still available as a Dover reprint of 1997). Facts were checked, errors eliminated, additions made. The typography was modernised. The help in pronunciation limited to stressing syllables.This book presents a wealth of information on plant names: it lists 6000 botanical names and 3000 vernacular names, in addition to quite a bit of background information. It is limited to plant names of importance to gardeners, but this is not so limiting as might be, since by this is meant "gardeners worldwide", including those on the Southern Hemisphere. Although I wish it were slightly longer, this book surely gives value for money.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Reference Book,
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This review is from: Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners: A Handbook on the Origin and Meaning of the Botanical Names of some Cultivated Plants (Paperback)
excellent reference book - easily read and understood, even for the not-so-technical person - often has a brief paragraph giving the history or a definition of the botanical name
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names,
By Plant Lover "Daria" (Westchester Co., New York) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners: A Handbook on the Origin and Meaning of the Botanical Names of some Cultivated Plants (Paperback)
If you are serious about learning the Latin names of plants and their meanings, this little book is invaluable.
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