The PLANT PRESS - Publishers of Gardening Books, CD ROMs

Free Dictionary Listing over 30,000 Plant Name Pairs

the only database of its kind on the web

But what is it? The Dictionary of Common Names is a free dictionary that lists over 30,000 English language pairs for common and botanical plant names.

Looking for a common name or a botanical name? Make sure you check the correct button for the direction of your search. Then type the beginning of the first word in the plant name (min 2 characters) and click search or hit return. The search will also accept a full plant name pasted in. But make sure you include any hybrid 'x's.

'Search anywhere'

Use the 'search anywhere' option in the drop down to search for words that appear anywhere in the plant name. This allows you to search for words like 'daisy' that may occur at the end of a name.

The data for this dictionary was compiled in California by the late John Oppenlander. First published in 1996, the data comprised more than 70,000 pairs and included contributions in many languages. This 3rd edition has been limited to include just 30,000 English language pairs and the data has been checked and corrected by a horticultural taxonomist.

Please bear in mind that plant names in general and common names in particular are not an exact science. It should be one name one plant but it isn't. If you spot entries you think are wrong please email john(at)plantpress.com with 'plant name correction' as the subject.

Other Sites Using the Dictionary

We welcome references from recognised sources. But they have to be registered before the website will accept them. Please contact john(at)plantpress.com and put 'Register references to Plant Press website' in the subject if you wish to refer your users to this database.