Botanical Latin

Gardening & Environment Education & Reference Science & Nature

Botanical Latin by William T. Stearn remains the go-to reference for gardeners, botanists, and students who want to decode the scientific names of plants. This revised edition from Timber Press packs 560 pages of clear grammar tips, vocabulary, and historical notes into a sturdy 6.7 x 9.2-inch paperback that feels ready for field or desk work.

Stearn’s classic marries foreign-language study with life-science reference, turning what could be dry taxonomy into an engaging journey through botanical history. Whether you need to parse a plant description or craft an accurate label, the book’s examples and cross-references make the Latin accessible and surprisingly memorable.

This 2008 revised printing is in good used condition: pages are clean, free of writing, dog-ears, or tears, and the binding remains tight. Light foxing appears only on the closed page edges and does not extend onto the readable surfaces; the first two pages show gentle age-yellowing, evidence of a book that has sat safely on a shelf in a smoke-free home.

Ideal for horticulture students, reference collectors, or gardening enthusiasts, this copy offers all the scholarly heft without the new-book price.