Would like help on how to pronounce latin names

[displaced_floridian]

Now that I've been lurking on these forums for a few months, and know some of the more common palm names, but as far as how to pronounce them? I've seen them written many times, but have never heard them pronounced. I know latin has some weird rules. For example, the palm family Arecaceae, I would pronounce ARR-uh-KAY-see-ay, but that's probably not right. Is there a reference that shows pronunciation?

Thanks

John R (displaced_floridian)

[freakypalmguy]

Now that I've been lurking on these forums for a few months, and know some of the more common palm names, but as far as how to pronounce them? I've seen them written many times, but have never heard them pronounced. I know latin has some weird rules. For example, the palm family Arecaceae, I would pronounce ARR-uh-KAY-see-ay, but that's probably not right. Is there a reference that shows pronunciation?

Thanks

John R (displaced_floridian)

Here is a piece by the late Robert Lee Rifle, What's in a Botanical Name

[palmislandRandy]

Pick up a copy of "An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms" (you should have one already). It has a Pronunciation of Scientific Names section that really helped me, even though I think I still sound like a dork!

[MattyB]

Randy,

Then why do you Floridians keep calling Sabals (Suh-ball), Sable (Say-bull)?

[palmislandRandy]

Randy,

Then why do you Floridians keep calling Sabals (Suh-ball), Sable (Say-bull)?

Latin with a southern accent!

[Kathryn]

Randy,

Then why do you Floridians keep calling Sabals (Suh-ball), Sable (Say-bull)?

Latin with a southern accent!

[displaced_floridian]

Thanks freakypalm, the Rifle piece is a great help.

Palmisland, It sounds like that is the "Bible" of palm knowledge. I'll have to get it.

Growing up in S. Fla I took palms for granted. Now that I'm away, I miss them and want to have a yard

full of many varieties when I move back there. It will help to know what to look for.

Thanks again

jbr999

[hanapalms]

Now that I've been lurking on these forums for a few months, and know some of the more common palm names, but as far as how to pronounce them? I've seen them written many times, but have never heard them pronounced. I know latin has some weird rules. For example, the palm family Arecaceae, I would pronounce ARR-uh-KAY-see-ay, but that's probably not right. Is there a reference that shows pronunciation?

Thanks

John R (displaced_floridian)

If I'm not mistaken, you can find an appendix in the Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms which gives a pronunciation guide for these latinized words.

[newtothis]

I have trouble with a few too. I seem to want to say burrito-kentia and hay-dee-scape, and have no idea how to say cyrtostachys, ptychosperma, or rhopalostylis.

[Dave-Vero]

Scientific names are inherently messy. One general rule is that "ch" tends to be from the Greek and is pronounced as "k". Ar-kon-toe-fee-nicks.

Here's a link to the Jepson Manual's short guide to pronunciation, via Google Books

The Jepson is the paper and online manual to the plants of California--a large and wonderful native flora, plus lots of exotics.

[JASON M]

I have trouble with a few too. I seem to want to say burrito-kentia and hay-dee-scape, and have no idea how to say cyrtostachys, ptychosperma, or rhopalostylis.

Cyrtostachys, my dad helped me with this one. I think it's serr toe stay shiss

Ptychosperma, is probably titch o sperm uh

[John in Andalucia]

Ptychosperma (tik-oh-SPER-muh)

Try Dave's Garden for pronunciations. Just do a genus search and select a plant: http://davesgarden.c...h=Search+plants