# List of plant genus names with etymologies (A–C)

Since the first printing of Carl Linnaeus's Species Plantarum in 1753, plants have been assigned one epithet or name for their species and one name for their genus, a grouping of related species. Many of these plants are listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. William Stearn (1911–2001) was one of the pre-eminent British botanists of the 20th century: a Librarian of the Royal Horticultural Society, a president of the Linnean Society and the original drafter of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.
The first column below contains seed-bearing genera from Stearn and other sources as listed, excluding those names that no longer appear in more modern works, such as Plants of the World by Maarten J. M. Christenhusz (lead author), Michael F. Fay and Mark W. Chase. Plants of the World is also used for the family and order classification for each genus. The second column gives a meaning or derivation of the word, such as a language of origin. The last two columns indicate additional citations.

## Key

    Latin: = derived from Latin (otherwise Greek, except as noted)
    Ba = listed in Ross Bayton's The Gardener's Botanical
    Bu = listed in Lotte Burkhardt's Index of Eponymic Plant Names
    CS = listed in both Allen Coombes's The A to Z of Plant Names and Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners
    G = listed in David Gledhill's The Names of Plants
    St = listed in Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners

## Genera

* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z
Genera :
| Genus | Meaning or derivation | Family | Order | Ref | G |
| Abeliophyllum | Abelia-like leaves | Oleaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Abelmoschus | from Arabic for musky (the seeds) | Malvaceae | Malvales | CS | |
| Abies | Latin: rising. Latin name. | Pinaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Abobra | Brazilian name | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | St | G |
| Abroma | inedible | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Abronia | dainty (the bracts) | Nyctaginaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Abrophyllum | dainty leaves | Rousseaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Abrus | from an Arabic name or Greek | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Abutilon | Arabic name | Malvaceae | Malvales | CS | G |
| Acacia | sharp tips. Greek name. | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Acaena | thorns | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Acalypha | Greek name | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | CS | G |
| Acampe | unbending (the flowers or stems) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Acanthocereus | thorn-Cereus | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Acantholimon | thorn-Limonium | Plumbaginaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Acanthophoenix | thorn-Phoenix | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Acanthostachys | thorn spike (the bracts) | Bromeliaceae | Poales | St | |
| Acanthus | thorns | Acanthaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Acca | Peruvian name | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | CS | |
| Acer | Latin name | Sapindaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Achillea | Achilles of mythology | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Achimenes | (unknown) | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Achlys | Achlys of mythology | Berberidaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Acineta | motionless (the lips) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Aciphylla | sharp leaves | Apiaceae | Apiales | Ba | G |
| Acis | Acis of Greek mythology | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | Ba | |
| Ackama | Māori name | Cunoniaceae | Oxalidales | St | |
| Acoelorraphe | not hollow-seamed | Arecaceae | Arecales | Ba | G |
| Acokanthera | sharp-tipped anthers | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Aconitum | Greek name | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Acorus | Latin name | Acoraceae | Acorales | CS | G |
| Acradenia | apex glands | Rutaceae | Sapindales | Ba | G |
| Acrocomia | top lock of hair (the leaves) | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Acronychia | end claw (on the petals) | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | |
| Acrophyllum | end leaves | Cunoniaceae | Oxalidales | St | |
| Actaea | Greek and Latin name | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Actinidia | radiating (the styles) | Actinidiaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Actinotus | radiating (the bracts) | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Adenandra | glandular male parts | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | |
| Adenanthera | glandular anthers | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | |
| Adenia | Arabic name | Passifloraceae | Malpighiales | Ba | G |
| Adenium | Arabic name | Passifloraceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Adenocarpus | glandular (sticky) fruit | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Adenostoma | glandular mouth (the calyx) | Rosaceae | Rosales | St | |
| Adonis | Adonis of mythology | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Adoxa | without stature | Viburnaceae | Dipsacales | St | G |
| Adromischus | thick stems | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | Ba | G |
| Aechmea | pointed (the calyx) | Bromeliaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Aegilops | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Aegle | Aegle, a Naiad | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Aeglopsis | Aegle, a Naiad | Rutaceae | Sapindales | Bu | |
| Aegopodium | goat's foot (the leaves) | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Aeollanthus | Aeolus (wind god) + flower | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | Bu | G |
| Aeonium | Latin name | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Aerangis | air cups | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Aeranthes | air flowers | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Aerides | air | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Aerva | Arabic name | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Aeschynanthus | blushing flowers | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Aesculus | Latin name | Sapindaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Aethionema | odd filament (the stamens) | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Aethusa | Aethusa, daughter of the god Poseidon | Apiaceae | Apiales | Bu | G |
| Aframomum | African Amomum | Zingiberaceae | Zingiberales | St | G |
| Agalmyla | glory of the forest | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | St | |
| Aganisia | gentleness | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Aganosma | gentle scent | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | |
| Agapanthus | love flowers | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Agapetes | loved ones | Ericaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Agastache | remarkable or plentiful (flower) spikes | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Agathis | ball of thread (the catkins) | Araucariaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Agathosma | good scent | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Agave | praiseworthy (the flowers) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Ageratina | Ageratum-like | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | |
| Ageratum | never-aging (the flowers) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Aglaia | Aglaea of mythology | Meliaceae | Sapindales | St | |
| Aglaonema | shining thread (the stamens) | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Agonis | congregation (the seeds) | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | St | |
| Agoseris | goat lettuce | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | |
| Agrimonia | Greek name | Rosaceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Agrostemma | field wreaths | Caryophyllaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Agrostis | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Aichryson | ever-gold. Greek name. | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Ailanthus | Moluccan name | Simaroubaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Aiphanes | ragged (the leaves) or ever-shining (the flowers) | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Aira | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Ajania | Ayan, Russia | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | G |
| Ajuga | Latin name | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Akebia | Japanese name | Lardizabalaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Alangium | Keralan name | Cornaceae | Cornales | St | G |
| Albuca | Latin: whitish | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | Ba | G |
| Alcea | Greek and Latin name | Malvaceae | Malvales | CS | G |
| Alchemilla | Arabic name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Aletris | meal-grinder (they are powdery) | Nartheciaceae | Dioscoreales | St | G |
| Aleurites | floury (they are sometimes powdery) | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Alisma | Greek name | Alismataceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Alkanna | Arabic name | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | St | G |
| Alliaria | Latin: garlic-like | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | Ba | G |
| Allium | Latin name | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Alloplectus | diverse weaving (the overlapping sepals) | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | St | |
| Alnus | Latin name | Betulaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Alocasia | separate from Colocasia | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Aloe | Arabic name | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Aloinopsis | like Aloe | Aizoaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Alopecurus | fox tails (the grass) | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Alphitonia | mealy (the fruit) | Rhamnaceae | Rosales | St | |
| Alseuosmia | grove fragrance | Alseuosmiaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Alsobia | grove life | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | Ba | |
| Alternanthera | Latin: alternating anthers (are fertile) | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Althaea | Greek name | Malvaceae | Malvales | CS | G |
| Alyogyne | whole female parts | Malvaceae | Malvales | Ba | G |
| Alyssum | Latin and Greek name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Alyxia | chain (the fruits), possibly | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | |
| Amaranthus | unfading | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Amaryllis | Amaryllis, a Greek shepherdess from classical poetry | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Ambrosia | ambrosia | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Amelanchier | French name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Ammi | Greek and Latin name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Ammobium | sand-living | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Ammocharis | sand beauty | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Ammophila | sand-loving | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Amomum | Greek name | Zingiberaceae | Zingiberales | St | G |
| Amomyrtus | Amomis + Myrtus | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | Ba | |
| Amorpha | deformed (the corollas) | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Amorphophallus | deformed phallus | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Ampelopsis | vine-like | Vitaceae | Vitales | CS | G |
| Anacampseros | Greek name | Anacamp­serotaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Anacamptis | bending back (possibly the orchid's spur) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Anacardium | Greek name | Anacardiaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Anacyclus | flowerless circle (the corollas) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Anagyris | Greek and Latin name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Ananas | Tupi (South American) name | Bromeliaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Anaphalis | Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Anastatica | resurrection (it recovers quickly from drought) | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Anchusa | Greek and Latin name | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | CS | G |
| Andira | Brazilian name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Andrachne | Greek name | Phyllanthaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Andromeda | Andromeda of mythology | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Andropogon | man beard (the spikelets) | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Androsace | Greek name | Primulaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Androstephium | male-parts crown (the stamens) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Anemanthele | wind plume | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | |
| Anemarrhena | without filaments (the stamens) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Anemone | blood-red | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Anemonopsis | like Anemone | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Anemopaegma | wind-playing | Bignoniaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Anemopsis | like Anemone | Saururaceae | Piperales | CS | |
| Anethum | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Angelica | Latin: angelic | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Angelonia | South American name | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Angophora | vessel-bearing (fruit-bearing) | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | St | |
| Angraecum | Malay name | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Ania | troublesome (maybe taxonomically) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Anigozanthos | wide-open flowers, perhaps | Haemodoraceae | Commelinales | St | G |
| Anisodontea | unequal teeth | Malvaceae | Malvales | Ba | G |
| Anisotome | jagged (the leaves) | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Annona | Taíno name | Annonaceae | Magnoliales | St | G |
| Anoda | perhaps a Sinhalese name | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Anoectochilus | open lips | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Anopterus | upturned wings | Escalloniaceae | Escalloniales | Ba | G |
| Anredera | (unclear) | Basellaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Antennaria | Latin: antenna-like (the bristles) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Anthemis | Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Anthericum | Greek name | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Anthoxanthum | flowers of yellow | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Anthriscus | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Anthurium | flower tail (the spikes) | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Anthyllis | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Antiaris | Javanese derivation | Moraceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Anticlea | Anticlea, mother of the mythological hero Odysseus | Melanthiaceae | Liliales | Bu | |
| Antidesma | (unclear) | Phyllanthaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Antigonon | perhaps angled or zig-zag | Polygonaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Antirrhinum | nearly a nose (the flowers) | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Anubias | Anubis | Araceae | Alismatales | St | G |
| Aotus | earless (the simple calyx) | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | |
| Aphanostephus | inconspicuous adornment (the flower heads) | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | |
| Aphelandra | simple male part (the anthers) | Acanthaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Aphyllanthes | leafless flower (the long, bare stalks) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Apios | pear (the shape of the tubers) | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Apium | Latin name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Aplectrum | (orchid flowers) without a spur | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Apocynum | Greek name | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Aponogeton | near (hot springs at) Abano Terme | Aponogetonaceae | Alismatales | St | G |
| Aquilegia | eagle | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Arabidopsis | like Arabis | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Arabis | Arabian | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Arachis | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Arachnis | Arachne, mythological woman who was transformed into a spider | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | Bu | |
| Aralia | French-Canadian name | Araliaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Araucaria | Araucanos (now Mapuche) | Araucariaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Arbutus | Latin name | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Archontophoenix | lordly palm | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Arctium | Greek and Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Arctostaphylos | bear grapes | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Arctotheca | bear casing | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | |
| Arctotis | bear's ear (the scales) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Ardisia | pointed (the anthers) | Primulaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Areca | Malabar name | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Arenaria | Latin: sand | Caryophyllaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Arenga | Malayan or Moluccan name | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Arethusa | Arethusa | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Argania | Moroccan name | Sapotaceae | Ericales | St | |
| Argemone | Greek name | Papaveraceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Argyranthemum | silver flowers | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Argyreia | silvery (the backs of the leaves) | Convolvulaceae | Solanales | St | G |
| Argyrocytisus | silver Cytisus | Fabaceae | Fabales | Ba | |
| Argyroderma | silver-skin (the leaves) | Aizoaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Ariocarpus | fruit like Sorbus aria | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Arisaema | Arum-blood | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Arisarum | Greek name | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Aristea | Greek: best, Latin: pointed, or awned (the bracts) | Iridaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Aristolochia | best childbirth (for which some species used to be prescribed) | Aristolochiaceae | Piperales | CS | G |
| Armeria | French and Latin name | Plumbaginaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Armoracia | Latin name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Arnebia | Arabic name | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | St | G |
| Arnica | Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Aronia | Greek name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Arpophyllum | sickle-shaped leaves | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Arracacia | Spanish name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | |
| Arrhenatherum | male bristle (the male awns) | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Artabotrys | supported (suspended) bunches (of fruit) | Annonaceae | Magnoliales | St | G |
| Artemisia | Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Arthrocereus | jointed Cereus | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Arthropodium | jointed foot (the flower stalks) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Artocarpus | bread fruit | Moraceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Arum | Greek and Latin name | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Aruncus | Latin name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Arundinaria | like Arundo | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Arundo | Latin: reeds | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Asarina | Spanish name | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Asarum | Greek and Latin name | Aristolochiaceae | Piperales | CS | G |
| Asclepias | Greek and Latin name | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | CS | G |
| Asimina | Indian name | Annonaceae | Magnoliales | CS | G |
| Asparagus | Latin name | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Asperugo | rough (the leaves) | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | St | G |
| Asperula | little rough | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Asphodeline | like Asphodelus | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Asphodelus | Greek name | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Aspidistra | small shield (the stigmas) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Astartea | Astarte, a god | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | Bu | G |
| Astartoseris | Astarte, a god | Asteraceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Astelia | trunkless | Asteliaceae | Asparagales | Ba | G |
| Aster | Latin: stars | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Asteranthera | star anthers | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Asteropeia | Asteropeia, daughter of the mythological king Pelias | Asteropeiaceae | Caryophyllales | Bu | |
| Astilbe | dull (the leaves) | Saxifragaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Astilboides | Astilbe-like | Saxifragaceae | Saxifragales | Ba | G |
| Astraea | Astraea, a goddess | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | Bu | |
| Astragalus | Greek and Latin name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Astrantia | possibly Medieval Latin: stars | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Astroloba | star lobes | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Astrophytum | star plant | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Astydamia | Astydameia, a mythological woman | Apiaceae | Apiales | Bu | |
| Asyneuma | not joined (the corolla lobes) | Campanulaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Atalantia | Atalanta | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Athamanta | probably Athamas | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Athenaea | Athena, a god | Solanaceae | Solanales | Bu | |
| Atherosperma | awned seeds, or a reference to the fruit | Athero­spermataceae | Laurales | St | G |
| Athrotaxis | arranged in crowds | Cupressaceae | Pinales | Ba | G |
| Atriplex | Latin name | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Atropa | Atropos | Solanaceae | Solanales | CS | G |
| Attalea | (unclear) | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Aucuba | Japanese name | Garryaceae | Garryales | CS | G |
| Aurinia | Latin: golden (flowers) | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Austrocedrus | southern cedar | Cupressaceae | Pinales | Ba | G |
| Austrocylindropuntia | southern Cylindropuntia | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | Ba | |
| Austroderia | southern Cortaderia | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | |
| Avena | Latin name | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Azolla | dry-killing (drought kills them) | Salviniaceae | Salviniales | CS | G |
| Azorella | Azores + small | Apiaceae | Apiales | Ba | G |
| Azorina | Azores | Campanulaceae | Asterales | Ba | |
| Aztekium | Aztecs | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | Ba | |
| Babiana | from Afrikaans | Iridaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Baccharis | Bacchus | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Bacopa | South American name | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Bactris | walking stick | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Bahiella | Bahia, a state of Brazil | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | Bu | |
| Balaka | Fijian name | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Ballota | Greek name | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Balsamorhiza | Greek name + root | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | G |
| Bambusa | Malayan name | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Baphia | dye | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Baptisia | (indigo) dyeing | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Barbarea | Saint Barbara | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Basella | Malabar name | Basellaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Bellium | like Bellis | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Benitoa | San Benito County, California | Asteraceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Bentleya | Bentley College in Perth, Western Australia (present-day Curtin University) | Pittosporaceae | Apiales | Bu | |
| Berberidopsis | like Berberis | Berberidop­sidaceae | Berberidopsidales | CS | G |
| Berberis | Arabic name | Berberidaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Berenice | Bernica, the ravine in Réunion where the plant was discovered | Campanulaceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Beta | Latin name | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Betonica | from the name of a Spanish plant | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Betula | Latin name | Betulaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Bia | Bia, a goddess | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | Bu | |
| Biarum | Greek name | Araceae | Alismatales | Ba | G |
| Bidens | Latin: two teeth (on the dried fruit) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Bifrenaria | double bridle (the pollinia stalks) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Biophytum | life plant | Oxalidaceae | Oxalidales | Ba | G |
| Biscutella | Latin: two dishes (the shape of the fruits) | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Bistorta | Medieval Latin name | Polygonaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Bixa | Carib name | Bixaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Blyxa | gushing (the habitat), possibly | Hydrocharitaceae | Alismatales | St | |
| Bolax | clod | Apiaceae | Apiales | Ba | G |
| Bombax | silk (the seed capsules' stuffing) | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Borago | Latin: hairy clothes, possibly (the leaves) | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | CS | G |
| Borassus | spadix of the date palm | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Bothriochloa | pitted grass | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Brabejum | sceptre or prize | Proteaceae | Proteales | St | |
| Brachychiton | short coat (including the scales) | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Brachyglottis | short-tongued | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | G |
| Brachypodium | short-footed | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Brachyscome | short lock of hair (the pappuses). Previously Brachycome. | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Brassica | Latin name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Briza | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Bromus | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Brosimum | edible | Moraceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Bryonia | Greek name | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | St | G |
| Buglossoides | Buglossum-like (now Anchusa) | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | Ba | G |
| Bulbine | Greek name | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Bulbinella | little Bulbine | Asphodelaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Bulbophyllum | bulb leaves | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Bunium | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Buphthalmum | ox eye | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Bupleurum | ox rib. Greek name. | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Bursaria | purse (the fruits) | Pittosporaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Butia | Brazilian name | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Butomus | ox-cutting (the inedible leaves harm cattle) | Butomaceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Buxus | Greek and Latin name | Buxaceae | Buxales | CS | G |
| Byblis | Byblis, a mythological character | Byblidaceae | Lamiales | Bu | G |
| Cabomba | Guianese name | Cabombaceae | Nymphaeales | St | G |
| Caiophora | (hairs) causing a burn | Loasaceae | Cornales | St | G |
| Cajanus | Malay name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Cakile | Arabic name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | Ba | G |
| Caladium | Malay name | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Calamagrostis | reed grass | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Calamus | Greek name | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Calanthe | attractive flowers | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Calathea | basket (the bracts) | Marantaceae | Zingiberales | CS | G |
| Calceolaria | slipper (the flowers) | Calceolariaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Calendula | first day of the month | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Calla | attractive | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Calliandra | attractive stamens | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Callicarpa | attractive fruit | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Callicoma | attractive hair | Cunoniaceae | Oxalidales | St | G |
| Callirhoe | Callirrhoe | Malvaceae | Malvales | CS | G |
| Callisia | beauty | Commelinaceae | Commelinales | CS | G |
| Callistemon | attractive stamens | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | CS | G |
| Callistephus | attractive crown (the flowers) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Callitriche | attractive hair | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Callitris | attractive triples (the leaves, for instance) | Cupressaceae | Pinales | St | G |
| Calluna | tidying or beautifying | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Calocedrus | attractive cedar | Cupressaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Calocephalus | attractive head (the flowers) | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Calochortus | attractive grass | Liliaceae | Liliales | CS | G |
| Calodendrum | attractive tree | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Calophaca | attractive lentil | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Calophyllum | beautiful leaves | Calophyllaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Calopogon | attractive beard (on the lips) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Calothamnus | attractive shrub | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | St | G |
| Calotropis | attractive boat | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Caltha | Latin name | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Calycanthus | calyx flower (the sepals are like the petals) | Calycanthaceae | Laurales | CS | G |
| Calypso | Calypso | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Calystegia | cup or calyx roof | Convolvulaceae | Solanales | Ba | G |
| Calytrix | Hairy calyx. Previously Calythrix. | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | St | G |
| Camassia | Chinookan name | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Camonea | Camonea, a nymph | Convolvulaceae | Solanales | Bu | |
| Campanula | Latin: little bell (the flowers) | Campanulaceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Camphorosma | camphor-scented | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Campsidium | Campsis-like | Bignoniaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Campsis | curved (the stamens) | Bignoniaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Cananga | Malayan name | Annonaceae | Magnoliales | St | G |
| Canarina | Canary Islands | Campanulaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Canavalia | Malabar name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Canella | little Canna | Canellaceae | Canellales | St | G |
| Canistrum | Latin: basket (the bracts) | Bromeliaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Canna | Irish Celtic word for a reed or cane | Cannaceae | Zingiberales | CS | G |
| Cannabis | Greek and Latin name | Cannabaceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Cannomois | reed-like | Restionaceae | Poales | Ba | |
| Cantua | Peruvian name | Polemoniaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Capelio | anagram of Alciope, a nymph | Asteraceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Capparis | Greek name | Capparaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Capsicum | bite (the spiciness) | Solanaceae | Solanales | CS | G |
| Caragana | Mongol name | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Caralluma | Telugu name, possibly | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Cardamine | Greek name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Cardiocrinum | heart lily (the leaves) | Liliaceae | Liliales | CS | G |
| Cardiospermum | heart seed (white spots on the seeds) | Sapindaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Carduncellus | little Carduus | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Carduus | Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Carex | Latin name | Cyperaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Carica | Latin name | Caricaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Carissa | originally from Sanskrit | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Carpentaria | Gulf of Carpentaria | Arecaceae | Arecales | Bu | |
| Carpinus | Latin name | Betulaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Carpobrotus | edible fruit | Aizoaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Carpodetus | constricted fruit (narrower in the middle) | Rousseaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Carthamus | from Arabic | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Carum | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Carya | Greek name | Juglandaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Caryopteris | nut wing (the wings on the fruit) | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Caryota | nut | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Cassia | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Cassiope | Cassiopeia | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Castanea | Greek and Latin name | Fagaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Castanopsis | Castanea-like | Fagaceae | Fagales | St | G |
| Castanospermum | Castanea seed | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Casuarina | From a Malaysian word for cassowary | Casuarinaceae | Fagales | St | G |
| Catalpa | Native American name | Bignoniaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Catananche | Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Catasetum | bristles pointing down (on the columns) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Catha | Arabic name | Celastraceae | Celastrales | St | G |
| Catharanthus | spotless flowers | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | Ba | G |
| Caulophyllum | stem-leaf (the single large leaf) | Berberidaceae | Ranunculales | St | G |
| Ceanothus | Greek name | Rhamnaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Cecropia | Cecrops I | Urticaceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Cedrela | Latin: little cedar | Meliaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Cedronella | Latin: little cedar | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Cedrus | Greek and Latin name | Pinaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Ceiba | South American name | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Celastrus | Greek name | Celastraceae | Celastrales | CS | G |
| Celmisia | Celmisios, whose mother was the Greek nymph Alciope | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Celosia | burning (the hues of the flowers) | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Celtis | Greek name | Cannabaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Centaurea | centaur | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Centaurium | centaur | Gentianaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Centauropsis | Chiron, a centaur | Asteraceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Centaurothamnus | Chiron (a centaur) + bush | Asteraceae | Asterales | Bu | |
| Centradenia | spur + gland (on the anthers) | Melastomataceae | Myrtales | St | G |
| Centranthus | spur flowers | Caprifoliaceae | Dipsacales | CS | G |
| Centropogon | spur beard (on the stigmas) | Campanulaceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Centrosema | spur + standard | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Cephalanthus | head of flowers | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Cephalaria | (flower) heads | Caprifoliaceae | Dipsacales | CS | G |
| Cephalocereus | head Cereus | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Cephalostachyum | head spike (the flower spikes) | Poaceae | Poales | St | |
| Cephalotaxus | head Taxus | Taxaceae | Pinales | St | G |
| Cephalotus | head-like | Cephalotaceae | Oxalidales | | G |
| Cerastium | horn (the shape of the capsules) | Caryophyllaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Ceratonia | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Ceratopetalum | horned (antler-shaped) petals | Cunoniaceae | Oxalidales | St | G |
| Ceratophyllum | horned (antler-shaped) leaves | Ceratophyllaceae | Ceratophyllales | CS | G |
| Ceratostigma | horn stigmas | Plumbaginaceae | Caryophyllales | CS | G |
| Ceratozamia | horn Zamia (the horned scales) | Zamiaceae | Cycadales | St | G |
| Cerbera | Cerberus, a mythological monster | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | Bu | G |
| Cercidiphyllum | with leaves like Cercis siliquastrum | Cercidiphyllaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Cercis | weaver's shuttle (the pods) | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Cercocarpus | tail (-shaped) fruit | Rosaceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Cereus | Latin: wax candle (the shape) | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Cerinthe | wax | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | St | G |
| Ceropegia | wax fountain (the flowers) | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | CS | G |
| Ceroxylon | wax (-coated) wood | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Cestrum | Greek name | Solanaceae | Solanales | CS | G |
| Chaenomeles | gaping apples | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Chaenorhinum | gaping Antirrhinum (the flowers are more open) | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Chaenostoma | wide-open mouth | Scrophulariaceae | Lamiales | Ba | G |
| Chaerophyllum | pleasing leaves (the scent) | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Chamaebatia | Greek name | Rosaceae | Rosales | St | G |
| Chamaecyparis | dwarf cypress | Cupressaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Chamaecytisus | ground Cytisus | Fabaceae | Fabales | Ba | |
| Chamaedaphne | dwarf Daphne | Ericaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Chamaedorea | ground gift (the easily accessible fruit) | Arecaceae | Arecales | CS | G |
| Chamaelirium | dwarf lily | Melanthiaceae | Liliales | CS | G |
| Chamaemelum | ground apple | Asteraceae | Asterales | Ba | G |
| Chamaeranthemum | dwarf Eranthemum | Acanthaceae | Lamiales | St | |
| Chamaerops | dwarf bush | Arecaceae | Arecales | CS | G |
| Chamelaucium | (unclear) | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | St | |
| Chasmanthe | wide-open flowers | Iridaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Chasmanthium | wide-open flowers | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Chelidonium | swallow | Papaveraceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Chelone | turtle | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Chelonopsis | Chelone-like | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | Ba | G |
| Chenopodium | goose foot | Amaranthaceae | Caryophyllales | Ba | G |
| Chiastophyllum | crosswise leaves | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | St | G |
| Chiliotrichum | a thousand hairs | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Chilopsis | lip-like (the calyx) | Bignoniaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Chimaerochloa | Chimera (a mythological monster) + grass | Poaceae | Poales | Bu | |
| Chimaphila | winter-loving (evergreen) | Ericaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Chimonanthus | winter-flowering | Calycanthaceae | Laurales | CS | G |
| Chimonobambusa | winter Bambusa | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Chiococca | snow berries | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Chionanthus | snow-white flowers | Oleaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Chionochloa | snow grass | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Chionophila | snow-loving (the habitat) | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Chironia | Chiron | Gentianaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Chlidanthus | luxury flowers | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Chloraea | green (the flowers) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Chloranthus | green flowers | Chloranthaceae | Chloranthales | Ba | G |
| Chloris | Chloris | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Chlorogalum | green milk (the sap) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Chlorophytum | green plant | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Chorizema | separated filaments (on the stamens) | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Chrozophora | bearing (turnsole) dye | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Chrysanthemum | gold flowers | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Chrysobalanus | gold acorns | Chryso­balanaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Chrysocoma | gold hair | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Chrysogonum | gold knees (yellow flowers, and the stems have joints) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Chrysolepis | gold scales | Fagaceae | Fagales | Ba | G |
| Chrysopsis | like gold | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Chrysosplenium | gold for the spleen | Saxifragaceae | Saxifragales | Ba | G |
| Chrysothamnus | gold shrub | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Chusquea | Colombian name | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Chysis | melting (the fused pollinia) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Cicer | Latin name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Cicerbita | Italian name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Cichorium | Arabic and Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Cicuta | Latin name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Cineraria | ashen (the leaves) | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Cinnamomum | Greek name | Lauraceae | Laurales | St | G |
| Cipura | (unclear) | Iridaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Circaea | Circe, a mythological witch | Onagraceae | Myrtales | Bu | G |
| Circaeaster | Circe, a mythological witch | Circaeasteraceae | Ranunculales | Bu | |
| Cirrhaea | tendril (the long rostella) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Cirsium | Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Cissus | Greek name | Vitaceae | Vitales | CS | G |
| Cistus | Greek and Latin name | Cistaceae | Malvales | CS | G |
| Citharexylum | lyre wood | Verbenaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Citropsis | like Citrus | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Citrullus | from Citrus | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | CS | G |
| Citrus | Latin name | Rutaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Cladanthus | branch (-end) flowers | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Cladium | little branches | Cyperaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Cladrastis | fragile twigs or shoots. Stearn's spelling is Cladastris. | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Cleistocactus | closed cactus (the flowers) | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Clematis | Greek name | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Clematoclethra | Clematis and Clethra | Actinidiaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Cleome | brilliance | Cleomaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Clerodendrum | chance tree (the medical uses) | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Clethra | Greek name | Clethraceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Clianthus | brilliant flowers | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Clitoria | Latin: clitoris | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Clymenia | Clymene, a nymph | Rutaceae | Sapindales | Bu | |
| Cneorum | Greek name | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Cnicus | Greek name | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Coccinia | scarlet (the fruit) | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | St | G |
| Coccoloba | Greek name | Polygonaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Coccothrinax | berry Thrinax | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Cocculus | little berry (the fruit) | Menispermaceae | Ranunculales | St | G |
| Cochlearia | spoonlike (the lower leaves) | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | St | G |
| Cochliostema | Spiral male parts. Stearn's spelling is Cochleostema. | Commelinaceae | Commelinales | St | |
| Cochlospermum | spiral seeds | Bixaceae | Malvales | St | |
| Cocos | Portuguese: mask | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | G |
| Codiaeum | Moluccan name | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | CS | G |
| Codonanthe | bell flower | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | Ba | G |
| Codonopsis | like a bell (the flowers) | Campanulaceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Coelia | hollow | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Coelogyne | hollow female parts | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Coffea | Arabic name | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Coix | Greek name | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Cola | West African name | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Colchicum | Colchis | Colchicaceae | Liliales | CS | G |
| Coleonema | sheath thread (the staminodes) | Rutaceae | Sapindales | St | G |
| Coleotrype | sheath hole | Commelinaceae | Commelinales | St | G |
| Coleus | sheath | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | Ba | G |
| Collomia | glue (the seeds, which can be sticky) | Polemoniaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Colocasia | Greek name, from Arabic | Araceae | Alismatales | CS | G |
| Colutea | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Comarum | Greek name | Rosaceae | Rosales | Ba | G |
| Combretum | Latin name | Combretaceae | Myrtales | St | G |
| Comesperma | hairy seeds | Polygalaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Conandron | cone stamens | Gesneriaceae | Lamiales | St | |
| Conicosia | conical | Aizoaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Conium | Greek and Latin name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Conophytum | cone plant | Aizoaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Consolida | Medieval Latin name | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | St | G |
| Convallaria | Latin: valley | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Convolvulus | Latin: twining | Convolvulaceae | Solanales | CS | G |
| Copaifera | Brazilian name | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Copiapoa | Copiapó, Chile | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | G |
| Coprosma | dung smell (the leaves) | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | CS | G |
| Coptis | cutting (divisions of the leaves) | Ranunculaceae | Ranunculales | St | G |
| Corchorus | Greek name | Malvaceae | Malvales | St | G |
| Cordyline | club (the roots) | Asparagaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Corema | broom-like | Ericaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Coreopsis | like a bug (the seeds) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Coriandrum | Greek and Latin name | Apiaceae | Apiales | CS | G |
| Coriaria | Latin: leather (for tanning) | Coriariaceae | Cucurbitales | CS | G |
| Cornus | Latin name | Cornaceae | Cornales | CS | G |
| Corokia | Māori name | Argophyllaceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Coronilla | little crown (the flowers) | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |
| Cortaderia | Argentine name | Poaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Coryanthes | helmet flowers | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Corydalis | crested lark (the spurs) | Papaveraceae | Ranunculales | CS | G |
| Corylopsis | like Corylus | Hamamelidaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Corylus | Greek name | Betulaceae | Fagales | CS | G |
| Corymbia | Latin: clusters (the corymbs) | Myrtaceae | Myrtales | Ba | G |
| Corynocarpus | club fruit | Corynocarpaceae | Cucurbitales | St | G |
| Corypha | summit (the highest fronds) | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Coryphantha | summit flowers | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | St | |
| Cosmos | ornament | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Costus | Latin name | Costaceae | Zingiberales | St | G |
| Cotinus | Greek name | Anacardiaceae | Sapindales | CS | G |
| Cotoneaster | Greek and Latin name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Cotula | small cup (the leaves and flowerheads) | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Cotyledon | cup-shaped depression (the leaves) | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Coutarea | Guyanese name | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | |
| Crambe | Greek and Latin name | Brassicaceae | Brassicales | CS | G |
| Craspedia | fringe (the pappus) | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Crassula | Latin: little thick (the leaves) | Crassulaceae | Saxifragales | CS | G |
| Crataegus | Greek name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Cremanthodium | hanging flowerheads | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | G |
| Crepis | Greek and Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Crinodendron | lily tree (the flowers) | Elaeocarpaceae | Oxalidales | CS | G |
| Crinum | Greek name | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Crithmum | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Crocosmia | Crocus scent | Iridaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Crocus | Greek name, from a Semitic name | Iridaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Crossandra | fringed male parts | Acanthaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Crotalaria | rattle (the sound of the seed pods) | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | G |
| Croton | tick (the seeds) | Euphorbiaceae | Malpighiales | St | G |
| Crucianella | little cross (the crosswise leaves) | Rubiaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Crupina | Belgian or Dutch name | Asteraceae | Asterales | St | |
| Cryptantha | hidden flowers | Bromeliaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Cryptanthus | hidden (lower parts of the) flowers | Bromeliaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Cryptocoryne | hidden club (the spadix) | Araceae | Alismatales | St | G |
| Cryptomeria | hidden parts | Cupressaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Cryptostegia | hidden cover (scales inside the corolla) | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Ctenanthe | comb flowers | Marantaceae | Zingiberales | Ba | G |
| Cucumis | Latin name | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | CS | G |
| Cucurbita | Latin name | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | CS | G |
| Cuminum | Greek name | Apiaceae | Apiales | St | G |
| Cunila | Latin name | Lamiaceae | Lamiales | St | G |
| Cuphea | curved (the seed pods) | Lythraceae | Myrtales | CS | G |
| Cupressus | Greek and Latin name | Cupressaceae | Pinales | CS | G |
| Curculigo | Latin: weevil-like (the ovaries) | Hypoxidaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Curcuma | Arabic name | Zingiberaceae | Zingiberales | St | G |
| Cuscuta | Medieval Latin name | Convolvulaceae | Solanales | St | G |
| Cyananthus | blue flowers | Campanulaceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Cyanella | blue | Tecophilaeaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Cyanotis | blue ear (the petals) | Commelinaceae | Commelinales | St | G |
| Cyathodes | cup-like | Ericaceae | Ericales | St | G |
| Cycas | Greek name | Cycadaceae | Cycadales | CS | G |
| Cyclamen | Greek name | Primulaceae | Ericales | CS | G |
| Cyclanthera | circle of anthers | Cucurbitaceae | Cucurbitales | St | G |
| Cyclanthus | circle of flowers | Cyclanthaceae | Pandanales | St | G |
| Cyclopia | circle foot (the base of the calyx) | Fabaceae | Fabales | St | |
| Cycnoches | swan | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | Ba | |
| Cydonia | Greek and Latin name | Rosaceae | Rosales | CS | G |
| Cylindropuntia | Latin: cylindrical Opuntia | Cactaceae | Caryophyllales | Ba | |
| Cymbalaria | like a cymbal (the leaves) | Plantaginaceae | Lamiales | CS | G |
| Cymbidium | boat-shaped (the lips) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Cymbopogon | boat-beard (the spikelets) | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Cymodocea | Cymodoce, a sea nymph | Cymodoceaceae | Alismatales | Bu | G |
| Cynanchum | dog-strangling (the poisonous herbs) | Apocynaceae | Gentianales | St | G |
| Cynara | Greek and Latin name | Asteraceae | Asterales | CS | G |
| Cynodon | dog tooth (the blades) | Poaceae | Poales | St | G |
| Cynoglossum | dog tongue (the leaves) | Boraginaceae | Boraginales | CS | G |
| Cynosurus | dog tail | Poaceae | Poales | Ba | G |
| Cypella | chalice (the flowers) | Iridaceae | Asparagales | St | G |
| Cyperus | Greek name | Cyperaceae | Poales | CS | G |
| Cyphostemma | stubby wreaths | Vitaceae | Vitales | Ba | |
| Cypripedium | Aphrodite's slipper (the flowers) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Cyrtanthus | arched flowers | Amaryllidaceae | Asparagales | CS | G |
| Cyrtopodium | arched foot (the lips) | Orchidaceae | Asparagales | St | |
| Cyrtostachys | arched spikes | Arecaceae | Arecales | St | |
| Cytisus | Greek name | Fabaceae | Fabales | CS | G |