Botanical Latin Translations

a project of
V. F. Thomas Co. - P. O. Box 84 - Hulls Cove, Maine  04644
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(updated 6 January 2025)





Cyperus rotundus L.

Taxonomic history:
   1753: Linnaeus described this species as Cyperus rotundus in Species Plantarum, 1st ed., p. 45.
   today: The current name for this species is Cyperus rotundus L.


original Latin diagnosis
Cyperus culmo triquetro subnudo, umbella decomposita: spicis alternis linearibus.

English translation
Cyperus with the culm three-angled [and] nearly nude; with an umbel separated into pieces: with the spikes alternate [and] linear.



English translation with commentary
Cyperus Cyperus
with the culm culmo - ablative singular of second declension masculine noun culmus, -i
four-angled triquetro - ablative singular masculine of group A adjective triquetrus, -a, -um; modifies culmo
[and] [added for smoother reading]
nearly naked; subnudo - ablative singular masculine of group A adjective subnudus, -a, -um; modifies culmo
with an umbel umbella - ablative singular of first declension feminine noun umbella, -ae
separated into pieces: decomposita - ablative singular feminine of perfect passive participle of third conjugation verb decompono, decomponere, decomposui, decompositum; modifies umbella
with the spikes spicis - ablative plural of first declension feminine noun spica, -ae
alternate alternis - ablative plural feminine of group A adjective alternus, -a, -um; modifies spicis
[and] [added for smoother reading]
linear. linearibus - ablative plural feminine of group B adjective linearis, -is, -e; modifies spicis


For a list of botanical Latin translations, please click here.         To access the Species Plantarum concordance, please click here.