Guess the plant!

1. Common Apple

• 1. Malus domestica

• 1. Chrysophyllum cainito

• Mangifers indica

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Malus domestica, coming from the Latin word “malus” meaning apple, and “domesticus” meaning domestic. Apple is a domesticated tree and fruit of the rose family (Rosaceae), which is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. On the other hand, Chrysophyllum cainito, coming from the Greek words “gold” and “leaf”, which is in reference from the golden hairy surfaces of some of its leaves, Cainito is also called “star apple,” while Mangifera indica which comes from the combination of one of its local names, “manga” and the Latin verb “fero” meaning “I carry”, as well as the Latin name of the species “indica” meaning India, which refers to one of its areas of origin.

1. Calamansi

• A. Citrus × sinensis

• B. Citrus limon

• C. Citrus × microcarpa

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. Citrus × microcarpa, the term "calamansi" is widely used in the Philippines to refer to this fruit, known scientifically as Citrus × microcarpa or Citrofortunella mitis. On the other hand, Citrus sinensis, the term “Citrus” is derived from the Latin name for cedar and lemon. “Sinensis” comes from Latin “Sinae,’ meaning Chinese, indicating that the orange tree is native to China, while Citrus limus, it can be inferred that the term “Citrus” is derived  from Latin, which in turn comes from the Greek word "κίτρον kítron” for lemon. The specific epithet “limus” does not have a clear etymological connection in the context of Citrus species.

1. Pine tree

• A. Pinus insularis

• B. Pinus merkusii

• C. Pinus ponderosa

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Pinus merkusii, the etymology of the term "pine tree" traces back to Old English and Latin origins. In Old English, the word for "pine tree" was "pin" (in compounds), derived from Old French "pin" and directly from Latin "pinus," which means pine, pine-tree, or fir-tree. The Latin term "pinus" possibly stems from a PIE pi-nu- root, related to peie- meaning "to be fat, swell," suggesting a connection to the tree's sap or pitch. This etymology is further supported by comparisons with words like Sanskrit "pituh" for juice, sap, resin, and Greek "pitys" for pine tree. The genus name “Pinus” is derived from Latin, specifically from the word “pinus,” which refers to pine trees. In the case of the specific epithet “insularis,” it signifies “island” in Latin, indicating a connection to islands or insular regions. The genus name “Pinus” originates from Latin and refers to pine trees. The specific epithet “ponderosa” is also derived from latin, meaning weighty or ponderous,” was assigned by botanist explorer David Douglas to this species due to the massive size of the trees he encountered.

1. Oregano

• A. Origanum vulgare

• B. Vitex negundo             

• C. Chrysophyllum cainito

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Origanum vulgare, which is derived from the Greek words oros meaning “mountain” and gamos meaning “beauty,” referred to as the “beauty of the mountain” because of its physical appearance and native habitats. On the other hand, Vitex negundo came from the words “vitex” meaning to weave or to twine, and “negundo” is derived from Sanskrit which denotes protection of body from diseases while Chrysophyllum cainito, comes from the Greek words “gold” and “leaf”, which is in reference from the golden hairy surfaces of some of its leaves. Cainito is also called “star apple.”

1. Avocado

• A. Fragaria x ananassa

• B. Persea americana

• C. Citrullus lanatus

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Persea americana, the term "avocado" has a fascinating etymology that can be traced back to its Nahuatl origins. The word "avocado" is derived from the Nahuatl word "āhuacatl," which means avocado and also has a secondary meaning of "testicle", this dual meaning likely arose due to the fruit's suggestive shape, leading to its association with fertility and aphrodisiac qualities among the indigenous Nahua people in Mexico and Central America (When Spanish conquistadors encountered the fruit, they changed its name to "aguacate," which later evolved into the Spanish term "avocado"). The etymology of Fragaria × ananassa, commonly known as the garden strawberry, is rooted in Latin and Old English origins. The genus name "Fragaria" is derived from the Latin word "fragum," which means "strawberry," combined with the suffix "-aria" used to create feminine nouns and plant names, the Latin name is thought to have originated from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "berry.” While the etymology of Citrullus lanatus, commonly known as the watermelon, can be understood by delving into its Latin and Greek origins. The word "Citrullus" is the diminutive of the Greek word "citrus," which refers to the fruit sometimes called 'citron'. On the other hand, the species name "lanatus" in Latin means "woolly," possibly alluding to certain characteristics of the plant.

Acacia

• A. Acacia auriculiformis

• B. Helianthus annuus

• C. Vitex negundo

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Acacia auriculiformis, the word "acacia" is borrowed from Latin, which in turn comes from the Greek word "akakia," referring to a thorny Egyptian tree. The exact origin of the Greek term is uncertain, with suggestions that it may be related to the Greek word "akē," meaning point or thorn, or potentially a Hellenization of an Egyptian word, some scholars also propose that it could be a word from a pre-Greek Mediterranean language rather than having an Oriental origin. On the other hand, Helianthus annuus, the term Helianthus is derived from the Greek word Helios, which means sun, and anthos which means flower, as well as the word annuus, a Latin word which means annual. While Vitex negundo, the word vitex is derived from the Latin word “vieo” which means to tie or bind. It is a woody aromatic shrub growing into a small tree.

Cotton

• 1. A. Murraya koenigii

• 1. B. Daucas carota

• 1. C. Gossypium herbaceum

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. Gossypium herbaceum, the genus name Gossypium came from the Arabic word “goz” which means soft substance. Furthermore, Gossypium means cotton it Latin and herbaceum means herbaceous (not woody). On the other hand, Murraya koenigii, which gets its name from the generic name “Murraya” derived from Johann Andreas Murray who studied botany under Carl Linnaeus and became a professor of medicine, as well as the specific name “koenigii”, derived from the last name of botanist Johann Gerhard Konig, while Daucas carota, from the Daucus, the ancient Greek name for this plant, and its specific epithet carota which simply means carrot.

Banana

• A. Murraya koenigii

• B. Musa acuminata

• C. Zingiberales

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Musa acuminata, the etymology of Musa acuminata is rooted in its scientific classification. The Latin name "Musa" for the genus may have originated from the Arabic word for the fruit, which was accepted by Linnaeus due to its potential reference to Antonius. Additionally, Musa acuminata is a species of banana native to Southern Asia. On the other hand, Murraya koenigii gets its name from the generic name “Murraya” derived from Johann Andreas Murray who studied botany under Carl Linnaeus and became a professor of medicine, as well as the specific name “koenigii”, derived from the last name of botanist Johann Gerhard Konig, while Zingiberales which comes from a pre-Greek name, possibly from India. The Ginger family is also called Zingiberaceae.

Sunflower

• A. Echinacea purpurea

• B. Helianthus annuus

• C. Bellis perennis

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Helianthus annuus, this comes from Ancient Greet of “Helios” means “sun” and “anthos” means “flower”. Therefore, Helianthus literally translates to “sunflower”. Moreover , Annuus comes from the Latin word meaning “annual”. This refers to the fact that sunflowers typically complete their entire life cycle within a year.

Lettuce

• A. Zea mays

• B. Viola odorata

• C. Lactuca sativa

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. Lactuca sativa. It is derived from the Latin word “lac” meaning “milk” or “milk juice.” This refers to the white, milky latex sap that is visible whenever it cuts the stem.  Additionally, the “sativa” is also from Latin, meaning “sown” or “cultivated.” This indicates it’s a domesticated crop.