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I thought it might be handy to have a list of common horticultural vocab words here, and to clarify what some of them mean, because I've noticed that people sometimes get them mixed up. This list is by no means comprehensive. If you think of any words that should be added, please leave them and their definitions in the comments.

Taxonomic Terms and Naming

Botanical Name
The scientific name of a plant, typically in Latin, following the binomial nomenclature system (Genus + Species). It should be written in italics, with the genus capitalised and the species in lowercase.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum).

Common Name
The name by which a plant is commonly known in everyday language, which can vary by region or culture. It is usually written in regular type.
Example: River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).

Taxonomic Rank: The level in the hierarchical classification system that defines the relationship between organisms. These terms should be capitalised but not italicised. They are as follows:

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Subspecies

Kingdom: The highest taxonomic rank, grouping all living organisms into broad categories. For plants, this is the plant kingdom. The name of the kingdom should be capitalised but not italicised.
Example: Plantae (the plant kingdom).

Phylum (or Division for plants): A group of related classes. It is written in capital letters but not italicised.
Example: Angiosperms (flowering plants).

Class: A higher taxonomic rank, grouping related orders. Capitalised but not italicised.
Example: Dicotyledons (plants with two seed leaves).

Order: A group of related families. Capitalised but not italicised.
Example: Rosales (the order containing roses, apples, etc.).

Family: A broader group of related plants that share similarities in structure and are grouped under a common name. Capitalised but not italicised. Example: Myrtaceae (the myrtle family).

Genus: A group of closely related species, sharing common characteristics and often grouped together under a common name. Genus names should be capitalised and italicised.
Example: Eucalyptus.

Species: A group of plants that are very similar and can interbreed. It should be written in lowercase and italicised.
Example: E. camaldulensis.

Subspecies: A group within a species adapted to different local conditions. It is written in lowercase and italicised, often following the species name.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. camaldulensis.

Variety: A naturally occurring variation within a species, often distinguished by small but consistent differences in appearance. It should be written in lowercase and italicized, following the species name.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa.

Form: A less formal level than variety, used for small, distinctive differences, often related to size or shape, within a variety or species. Written in lowercase and italicized, following the variety or species name.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis f. glabra.

Cultivar: A plant that has been selectively bred for particular characteristics, such as size or colour. The name of the cultivar is written in single quotation marks, with the first letter capitalized.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis ‘Brolga’.

Hybrid: A plant resulting from the crossbreeding of two different species or varieties, combining traits from both. The hybrid name is written in italics and often includes the initials of the parent plants, with the hybrid symbol (×) in between.
Example: Eucalyptus camaldulensis × E. globulus (a hybrid between a river red gum and Tasmanian blue gum)

Plant Origin and Distribution

Cosmopolitan
A plant species that grows naturally in many different parts of the world, adaptable to various climates and environments.

Endemic
A plant species found only in a specific location or region, nowhere else in the world.

Indigenous
A plant species that naturally occurs in a specific area, and may also be found in other regions within the same country.

Natural Range
The geographical area where a plant grows naturally without human interference.

Native
A plant that is naturally found in a specific country or region, without human assistance.

Provenance
The specific place or origin of a plant, affecting how it adapts and grows.

Introduced and Non-native Plants

Exotic
A plant that originates from a foreign country, often used interchangeably with "introduced."

Introduced
A plant species brought to a new area by humans, outside its natural range.

Naturalised
An introduced plant that has adapted well to a new environment and can reproduce on its own.

Weeds and Invasive Species

Volunteer Plant
A plant that grows without human planting, often from self-seeded or spread seeds. It may sometimes be a weed.

Weed
A plant that grows in unwanted areas, often competing with other plants for space, nutrients, and sunlight.

Environmental Weed
A non-native plant that harms local ecosystems by outcompeting native species.

Invasive
A non-native plant that spreads rapidly, often disrupting local ecosystems or agriculture.

Noxious Weed
A plant harmful to the environment or human health, with legal requirements for management.

Weed of National Significance (WONS)
A plant recognised for its serious environmental or agricultural impact, with efforts to control it.

Relevant Links

• https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/names-and-terms/plants-and-animals
• https://www.anbg.gov.au/apni/
• https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/blog/post/how-to-understand-plant-names?srsltid=AfmBOop060gHjhC9dEKDavsQ3jRe3TUW0LnHOuYDTFazia-VpawjFXWM
• https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/plant-breeders-rights/how-to-apply-for-a-plant-breeders-right/how-to-name-my-plant-variety
• https://weeds.org.au/lists/established/

Edit: formatting

Edit two: I tried to get ChatGTP to help me, because I was being lazy, but it garbled everything together. I've done my best to fix everything, but I could have missed something. It probably would have been less of a headache for me to type everything out and format it myself.