Plant Diversity & Ecology Lab (BIO 407)
Lab 2: University of Dayton Campus
Objectives
• Review plant features & terminology
• Learn some common tree species found in Ohio
• Worth through a taxonomic key
• Learn some root words
Where are we?
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic national research university in Dayton,
Ohio, United States. Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, it is one of three Marianist
universities in the nation and the largest private university in Ohio. The university's campus is
located in the southern portion of the city of Dayton and spans 388 acres on both sides of the
Great Miami River.
What types of trees are here?
Did you know that we have a University of Dayton Tree Trail?
Say What? Latin Names & Root Words
You’ve likely wondered at least once by now why scientific plant names are so difficult
to say and spell. Scientific names are largely derived from Latin and Greek words and
occasionally from other languages as well. These “root words” can take various prefixes and
suffixes to change their meaning or indicate gender (not actually important for botanical
purposes – a relic of Latin masculine and feminine forms of words). Learning the meaning of
these root words can tremendously help your understanding of the connection between plant
features, scientific names, and common names.
For example, poison ivy has a very informative scientific name: Toxicodendron radicans.
“Toxico” is a Latin root word meaning “poison.” This ties in directly to the common name, and
reflects this vine’s production of an irritating oil (urushiol) that causes a skin rash. “Dendron” is
derived from Greek and means “tree.” This reflects the woody growth habits of this genus,
which includes woody vines, trees, and shrubs – they put on secondary growth and are perennial.
“Radicans” comes from the Latin word for “root” and refers to the abundant adventitious roots
that grow all along the vine and anchor it to its host tree.
Root Word
Meaning
acantha, -os
acumina, -ata
alba, -idum
americana, -um
arborea, -um
benzoin
bi
canadense, -sis
carolinina, -um
carpa, -o
cordideltdendrodentata, -um
fer (-ifera)
florida
-folia, -um
formis, -a
grandiliqu-loba
macro
nigra, -um
occidental-oides
opacpetala, -o, -um
phylla, -um
pompseudo
quinqueradicrubra, -um
saccharserotinspecios, -a
toxicotritulipivirginiana, -um
thorn
pointed
white
of the Americas
tree-like
containing aromatic compounds (benzene rings)
two, twice, double
of Canada
of the Carolinas
fruit
heart
triangle
tree
toothed
bear, carry
flowering
leaf
in the shape
large
fluid, liquid
lobe
large
black
Western
in the shape of; resembling
shaded, dull
leaf; spread out, flat
leaf
apple, fruit
false
five
root
red
sugar; sweet
late
showy, beautiful
poison
three
tulip
of Virginia
“Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms” by Donald J. Borrer