50 Common French Botanical Terms Translated to English

50 Common French Botanical Terms Translated to EnglishBotanical vocabulary is a bridge between language and the natural world. Whether you’re a gardener, botanist, student, or an avid plant enthusiast, knowing common French botanical terms and their English equivalents can make it easier to read plant labels, understand gardening books, travel in francophone regions, or communicate with fellow plant lovers. Below is a comprehensive guide to 50 frequently used French botanical words, with concise English translations, brief explanations, and usage notes where helpful.

Racine — Root
The underground organ that anchors the plant and absorbs water and nutrients.
Tige — Stem
The main structural axis that supports leaves and flowers and transports fluids.
Feuille — Leaf
The primary site of photosynthesis.
Fleur — Flower
The reproductive structure that produces seeds.
Fruit — Fruit
The mature ovary containing seeds; often edible.
Graines — Seeds
The plant’s reproductive units; used for propagation.
Bourgeon — Bud
A young shoot that can develop into a leaf, flower, or stem.
Bractée — Bract
A modified leaf associated with a flower or inflorescence, sometimes colorful.
Pousse — Shoot
New above-ground growth emerging from stems or buds.
Poil (radiculaire / foliaire) — Hair (root/leaf hair, trichome)
Small hair-like structures on roots or leaves that can aid in water uptake or protection.

Simple — Simple (leaf)
A leaf with a single blade, not divided into leaflets.
Composé — Compound (leaf)
A leaf divided into multiple leaflets.
Serré / Denté — Serrated / Toothed
Leaf margins with saw-like teeth.
Lobé — Lobed
Leaf margins with deep indentations but not separate leaflets.
Entier — Entire
A smooth, unbroken leaf margin.
Glabre — Glabrous
Lacking hairs; smooth surface.
Pubescent — Pubescent
Covered with soft hairs.
Coriacé — Leathery
Thick, tough leaf texture.
Persistant — Evergreen / Persistent
Leaves that remain on the plant year-round.
Caduc — Deciduous
Leaves that fall seasonally, typically in autumn.

Pétale — Petal
The colored segments of a flower that often attract pollinators.
Sépale — Sepal
The outer parts that protect the flower bud.
Sépaloïde — Sepaloid
Resembling a sepal.
Corolle — Corolla
The collective term for all petals of a flower.
Calice — Calyx
The collective term for all sepals.
Androcée — Androecium (stamens)
The male reproductive parts (stamens) of a flower.
Gynécée — Gynoecium (pistil/carpels)
The female reproductive parts (pistil or carpels).
Inflorescence — Inflorescence
The arrangement of multiple flowers on a plant (e.g., raceme, panicle).
Épi — Spike
An unbranched inflorescence with sessile flowers along the axis.
Panicule — Panicle
A branched inflorescence with flowers on secondary branches.

Pollinisation — Pollination
Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.
Fécondation — Fertilization
Fusion of male and female gametes leading to seed formation.
Vivace — Perennial
A plant that lives for more than two years.
Annuelle — Annual
Completes its life cycle in one year.
Bisannuelle — Biennial
Completes its life cycle in two years.
Stérile — Sterile
Unable to produce viable seeds or offspring.
Autogame — Self-pollinating / Autogamous
Capable of pollinating itself.
Allogame — Cross-pollinating / Allogamous
Requires pollen from another individual.
Dispersal (Dispersion) — Dispersal
Methods by which seeds are spread (wind, water, animals).
Capsule — Capsule
A dry fruit that opens to release seeds.

Arbrisseau / Arbuste — Shrub / Bush
A woody plant with multiple stems, shorter than a tree.
Arbre — Tree
A tall, woody perennial with a single main trunk.
Liane — Liana / Climbing vine
Woody climbers that use other structures for support.
Plante herbacée — Herbaceous plant
Non-woody plants that die back to the ground each year.
Endémique — Endemic
Native to and restricted to a specific geographic area.
Invasif — Invasive
A species that spreads aggressively and can harm native ecosystems.
Ornemental — Ornamental
Grown for decorative purposes.
Médicinal — Medicinal
Used for therapeutic or healing properties.
Rusticité (rusticité) — Hardiness
The plant’s ability to withstand cold or adverse conditions.
Pérenne — Perennial
(Similar to vivace) — a plant that lives for multiple years; sometimes used for ornamental perennials.

Notes on usage and tips

Many words have close cognates in English (e.g., “fleur” → “flower”, “fruit” → “fruit”), which makes learning easier.
Botanical French often uses Latin binomials for species names; those are universal and the same in both languages.
When reading plant labels in French, watch for descriptive adjectives (e.g., “persistant”, “rustique”) that indicate important cultivation traits.