ETYMOLOGY OF BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE: SRI LANKAN CONTRIBUTION

Abstract

The botanical names of many species carry etymological information such as morphological characteristics, habitats, and ecological features, distributional range, etc. Some species contain the name of local people, type locality, and vernacular names as generic names and specific epithets. Sri Lanka has an interesting history of botanical exploration and nomenclature. Hence, the country’s name has been often used in the naming of plant species, particularly during the colonial era. Apart from that, a considerable number of species have also been named often after the local people. Moreover, type locality and vernacular names have also been considered in the naming of plant species. The aim of this publication was to compile such plant species with their etymological information and to understand how Sri Lanka and Sinhala language have contributed to the field of botanical nomenclature. Out of all native plant species (Angiosperms: 3,087 + Pteridophytes: 350), 223 taxa carry the country’s name, names of local people, type locality, and vernacular names as specific epithets. The naming of 162 plant species by country’s name is a significant contribution to the field of botanical nomenclature. Since similar assessment has not been carried out in other countries, the values cannot be compared.