Botanical & Latin Names Glossary — Complete Guide to Plant Scientific Names
Botanical & Latin Names Glossary — Complete Guide to Plant Scientific Names
Every plant has a unique scientific name — a Latin binomial consisting of genus and species — that precisely identifies it across all languages and regions. This glossary is your reference for the botanical names of all plants used across Blueberry Botanicals' product range, cross-referenced with their common names, Sanskrit names, and Malayalam names where applicable.
Understanding botanical names is the most reliable way to ensure you are purchasing the correct plant species — the most common problem in the herbal market is species substitution, where a cheaper or less effective species is sold under the same common name as a more valuable one.
How to Read a Botanical Name
A botanical name consists of two parts: the genus (capitalised) and the species (lowercase), both written in italics. For example: Curcuma aromatica — where Curcuma is the genus (a group of related plants) and aromatica is the species (the specific plant within that genus).
Sometimes a third element is added: the variety or cultivar (e.g., Citrus aurantium var. amara) or the author citation (the botanist who first described the species). On product labels, the genus and species are the essential elements.
A–Z Botanical Names Reference
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Sanskrit Name | Malayalam Name | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia catechu | Catechu, Black Catechu | Khadira | Karingali | Herbal Beauty, Oral Care |
| Azadirachta indica | Neem, Indian Lilac | Nimba | Aryaveppu | Herbal Beauty, Skin Care |
| Bacopa monnieri | Brahmi, Water Hyssop | Brahmi | Brahmi / Nirbrahmi | Ayurvedic Herb, Hair Care |
| Boswellia serrata | Indian Frankincense, Shallaki | Shallaki | Kunthirikkam | Essential Oil, Anti-inflammatory |
| Caesalpinia sappan | Sappanwood, Pathimugam | Patanga | Pathimugam | Herbal Beauty, Wellness Drink |
| Cananga odorata | Ylang Ylang | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Cedrus atlantica | Atlas Cedarwood | Devadaru | — | Essential Oil |
| Chrysopogon zizanioides | Vetiver, Khus | Ushira | Ramacham / Vettiver | Herbal Beauty, Essential Oil |
| Cinnamomum camphora | Camphor Tree | Karpura | Karpooram | Essential Oil, Ayurvedic |
| Cinnamomum verum | True Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon | Tvak | Karuvapatta | Spice & Root |
| Citrus aurantifolia | Kagzi Lime, Key Lime | Jambira | Cherunaranga | Live Plants, Citrus |
| Citrus aurantium var. amara | Bitter Orange, Neroli (flower) | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Citrus bergamia | Bergamot | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Citrus hystrix | Kaffir Lime, Makrut Lime | — | Kariveppila Naranga | Live Plants, Culinary |
| Citrus limon | Lemon | Nimbuka | Cherunaranga | Essential Oil, Live Plants |
| Citrus maxima | Pomelo, Shaddock | Madhukarkati | Pamparamasan | Live Plants |
| Cocos nucifera | Coconut Palm | Narikela | Thengu | Carrier Oil, Kerala Heritage |
| Curcuma aromatica | Wild Turmeric, Kasthuri Manjal | Kasturi Haridra | Kasthuri Manjal | Herbal Beauty — External Use Only |
| Curcuma longa | Turmeric, Common Turmeric | Haridra | Manjal | Spice & Root, Ayurvedic |
| Cymbopogon citratus | Lemongrass | Bhustrina | Inchippullu | Essential Oil |
| Eclipta alba | Bhringraj, False Daisy | Bhringraj | Kayyonni | Herbal Beauty, Hair Care |
| Elettaria cardamomum | Green Cardamom, True Cardamom | Ela | Elakka | Spice & Root, Essential Oil |
| Eucalyptus globulus | Blue Gum Eucalyptus | — | Eucalyptus | Essential Oil |
| Indigofera tinctoria | True Indigo | Nili | Neelamari | Herbal Beauty, Hair Colour |
| Jasminum grandiflorum | Spanish Jasmine, Royal Jasmine | Jati | Pichakam | Essential Oil (Absolute) |
| Lavandula angustifolia | True Lavender, English Lavender | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Lavandula x intermedia | Lavandin (hybrid) | — | — | Essential Oil (lower grade) |
| Lawsonia inermis | Henna, Mehndi | Madayantika | Mailanchi | Herbal Beauty, Hair Colour |
| Melaleuca alternifolia | Tea Tree | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Mentha piperita | Peppermint | Pudina | Pudina | Essential Oil |
| Moringa oleifera | Moringa, Drumstick Tree | Shigru | Muringa | Spice & Root, Live Plants, Seeds |
| Pelargonium graveolens | Rose Geranium | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Phyllanthus emblica | Amla, Indian Gooseberry | Amalaki | Nellikka | Herbal Beauty, Ayurvedic |
| Piper nigrum | Black Pepper | Maricha | Kurumulaku | Spice & Root, Essential Oil |
| Pogostemon cablin | Patchouli | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Rosa canina | Dog Rose, Rosehip | — | — | Carrier Oil |
| Rosa damascena | Damask Rose, Rose Otto | Taruni | Panneer Poo | Essential Oil |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | — | — | Essential Oil |
| Rubia cordifolia | Indian Madder, Manjistha | Manjistha | Manjitti | Herbal Beauty, Skin Care |
| Santalum album | Indian Sandalwood | Chandana | Chandanam | Essential Oil, Ayurvedic |
| Sesamum indicum | Sesame | Tila | Ellu | Carrier Oil, Ayurvedic |
| Simmondsia chinensis | Jojoba | — | — | Carrier Oil |
| Syzygium aromaticum | Clove | Lavanga | Grambu | Spice & Root, Essential Oil |
| Trigonella foenum-graecum | Fenugreek, Methi | Methi | Uluva | Spice & Root, Hair Care |
| Vetiveria zizanioides | Vetiver, Khus (synonym) | Ushira | Ramacham | Herbal Beauty, Essential Oil |
| Withania somnifera | Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng | Ashwagandha | Amukkuram | Ayurvedic Herb |
| Zingiber officinale | Ginger | Shunthi (dry) / Ardraka (fresh) | Inchi | Spice & Root, Essential Oil |
Critical Species Distinctions — Avoid These Common Confusions
| Common Name | Correct Species | Often Confused With | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasthuri Manjal (skin care) | Curcuma aromatica | Curcuma longa (common turmeric) | Curcuma longa stains skin yellow and is not suitable for facial skin care. Curcuma aromatica does not stain and has cooling properties. |
| True Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin) | Lavandin has higher camphor content and inferior therapeutic properties. Always check the botanical name. |
| Indian Sandalwood | Santalum album | Santalum spicatum (Australian sandalwood) | Different chemical profiles and therapeutic properties. Santalum album is the classical Ayurvedic standard. |
| Brahmi | Bacopa monnieri | Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) | Both are called "Brahmi" in different regional traditions. Bacopa monnieri is the primary cognitive herb; Centella asiatica is primarily a wound-healing and skin herb. |
| True Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum | Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia) | Cassia contains higher levels of coumarin, which can be harmful in large amounts. True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon) is safer for regular use. |
| Vetiver | Chrysopogon zizanioides (syn. Vetiveria zizanioides) | Other grass roots | The distinctive earthy fragrance and cooling properties are specific to this species. Substitutes lack the therapeutic profile. |
Understanding Synonyms in Botanical Nomenclature
Plant taxonomy is an evolving science — species are sometimes reclassified and given new names. When this happens, the old name becomes a synonym. Both names refer to the same plant. Common examples relevant to our range:
- Vetiveria zizanioides = Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver — both names are in use)
- Emblica officinalis = Phyllanthus emblica (amla — older name still widely used)
- Eclipta prostrata = Eclipta alba (bhringraj — both names appear in literature)
Frequently Asked Questions — Botanical Names
Why do product labels use Latin names instead of common names?
Common names vary by region, language, and tradition — the same common name can refer to different species in different parts of India. Latin botanical names are universal and unambiguous. They are the only reliable way to ensure you are purchasing the correct species.
What does "var." mean in a botanical name?
"Var." stands for "variety" — a naturally occurring subdivision of a species with distinct characteristics. For example, Citrus aurantium var. amara is the bitter orange variety of Citrus aurantium, whose flowers produce neroli essential oil.
What does "syn." mean?
"Syn." stands for "synonym" — an older or alternative botanical name for the same plant. For example, Vetiveria zizanioides is a synonym for Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver). Both names refer to the same plant.
How do I verify the botanical name of a product I'm buying?
The botanical name should appear on the product label. If it does not, ask the supplier. At Blueberry Botanicals, every product lists the full Latin binomial — this is our non-negotiable standard.
Related Resources from Blueberry Botanicals
- Ingredient Encyclopedia — A–Z Botanical Reference
- Ayurvedic Terms Glossary
- Essential Oil Terms Glossary
- Ayurveda Knowledge Hub
Regulatory Compliance
This content complies with: Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 · Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Guidelines · Google Global Healthcare & Medicines Policy · Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs (ASU) Regulations.
Last Updated: July 2026 | Maintained by: Blueberry Botanicals Content Team | Classification: Public Glossary | Status: Active