← Latin for Biologists and Gardeners — Botanical Latin
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Lesson 100 of a graded Botanical Latin reading course for botanists, biologists, and gardeners.
For the full index of lessons, see: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
What do quoque, etiam, and nimis mean in Botanical Latin?
The English adverb “too” carries two distinct senses: “also” (addition) and “excessively” (degree). Classical and Botanical Latin splits these meanings across three separate words, each with its own syntactical behavior and shade of emphasis. Understanding these distinctions is essential for reading botanical descriptions, horticultural instructions, and taxonomic literature accurately.
Quoque (kwoh-kweh) means “also, too, likewise.” It is a postpositive particle — it must follow the word it modifies, never standing first in its clause. When Vergil writes haec quoque (”these too”), the quoque immediately follows haec to emphasize that even these wild plants respond to grafting. In botanical descriptions, quoque links related observations: “the leaves too are glabrous,” “this species also grows in shade.”
Etiam (EH-tee-ahm) means “also, even, still.” Unlike quoque, it precedes the word it emphasizes and carries a stronger force — “even” or “moreover.” Vergil’s etiam ardua palma nascitur (”even the tall palm grows”) shows this escalating force. In botanical writing, etiam often introduces surprising or additional information: “even in poor soil this plant thrives.”
Nimis (NIH-mis) or nimium (NIH-mee-oom) means “too much, excessively.” This is the degree sense of English “too” — “too wet,” “too shady,” “too acidic.” In horticultural Latin from Pliny through modern diagnoses, nimis signals that a condition has exceeded the optimum for healthy growth.
This lesson reaches Dickinson Core Vocabulary rankings #67 (etiam), #76 (quoque), and #841 (nimis), reflecting the high frequency of additive particles in Latin prose and the specialized but important role of nimis in technical description.
Key Takeaways: -
Quoque is postpositive: it always follows the word it modifies (folia quoque, not quoque folia) -
Etiam precedes its word and means “also” or “even,” often with escalating force -
Nimis/nimium expresses excess — the “too much” sense of English “too” -
All three appear frequently in Pliny, Vergil’s Georgics, and modern botanical descriptions -
Distinguishing these three words is critical for accurate reading of Latin plant literature
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quoque /ˈkwɔ.kwɛ/ — two syllables, both with the kw- sound; rhymes approximately with English “walk-weh.” The final -e is always pronounced.
etiam /ˈɛ.ti.am/ — three syllables; stress falls on the first syllable. The -am ending is a full syllable, not swallowed.
nimis /ˈni.mis/ — two syllables; stress on the first. Short i in both syllables.
nimium /ˈni.mi.um/ — three syllables; an alternative to nimis with identical meaning. The -um ending is fully pronounced.
Note for Botanical Latin users: In modern scientific pronunciation (the tradition used in most universities and herbaria outside the Anglophone world), these words are pronounced essentially as written, with Italian-style vowels. Classical reconstructed pronunciation gives the qu- in quoque a labio-velar quality (like English “qu-” in “queen”), while the Italianate tradition renders it closer to “kwo-kwe.”
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100.1 Folia leaves quoque also glabra smooth sunt. are
100.2 Haec this planta plant etiam even in in umbrā shade-ABL crescit. grows
100.3 Solum soil nimis too-much rigātum watered rādīcēs roots corrumpit. rots
100.4 Flōrēs flowers quoque also fragrantēs fragrant sunt. are
100.5 Etiam even in in solō soil-ABL aridō dry-ABL haec this speciēs species viget. thrives
100.6 Cortex bark quoque also medicīnālis medicinal est. is
100.7 Sōl sun nimis too-much fervidus blazing folia leaves adūrit. scorches
100.8 Etiam even Linnaeus Linnaeus hanc this-ACC plantam plant-ACC laudāvit. praised
100.9 Sēmina seeds quoque also per through ventum wind-ACC dispersa scattered sunt. are
100.10 Nimium excessively dēnsa dense plantātiō planting morbōs diseases-ACC gignit. produces
100.11 Herba herb haec this quoque also in in pharmacopoeiā pharmacopoeia-ABL antīquā ancient-ABL memorātur. is-mentioned
100.12 Etiam even hieme in-winter-ABL perpetuā perpetual-ABL folia leaves retinet, it-retains quod which rārum rare est. is
100.13 Solum soil nimis too-much ūmidum moist fungōs fungi-ACC parasīticōs parasitic-ACC invītat. invites
100.14 Rādīx root quoque also tuberōsa tuberous est, is unde whence nōmen name generis of-the-genus dērīvātur. is-derived
100.15 Etiam even Theophrāstus, Theophrastus pater father botānicēs, of-botany dē about hāc this-ABL stirpe plant-ABL scrīpsit, wrote quoque also Dioscoridēs. Dioscorides
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100.1 Folia quoque glabra sunt. → The leaves, too, are smooth.
100.2 Haec planta etiam in umbrā crescit. → This plant even grows in shade.
100.3 Solum nimis rigātum rādīcēs corrumpit. → Soil watered too much rots the roots.
100.4 Flōrēs quoque fragrantēs sunt. → The flowers are also fragrant.
100.5 Etiam in solō aridō haec speciēs viget. → Even in dry soil, this species thrives.
100.6 Cortex quoque medicīnālis est. → The bark, too, is medicinal.
100.7 Sōl nimis fervidus folia adūrit. → Too-blazing sun scorches the leaves.
100.8 Etiam Linnaeus hanc plantam laudāvit. → Even Linnaeus praised this plant.
100.9 Sēmina quoque per ventum dispersa sunt. → The seeds, too, are scattered by the wind.
100.10 Nimium dēnsa plantātiō morbōs gignit. → Excessively dense planting produces diseases.
100.11 Herba haec quoque in pharmacopoeiā antīquā memorātur. → This herb, too, is mentioned in the ancient pharmacopoeia.
100.12 Etiam hieme perpetuā folia retinet, quod rārum est. → It retains its leaves even through perpetual winter, which is rare.
100.13 Solum nimis ūmidum fungōs parasīticōs invītat. → Soil that is too moist invites parasitic fungi.
100.14 Rādīx quoque tuberōsa est, unde nōmen generis dērīvātur. → The root, too, is tuberous, whence the name of the genus is derived.
100.15 Etiam Theophrāstus, pater botānicēs, dē hāc stirpe scrīpsit, quoque Dioscoridēs. → Even Theophrastus, the father of botany, wrote about this plant, as did Dioscorides also.
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100.1 Folia quoque glabra sunt.
100.2 Haec planta etiam in umbrā crescit.
100.3 Solum nimis rigātum rādīcēs corrumpit.
100.4 Flōrēs quoque fragrantēs sunt.
100.5 Etiam in solō aridō haec speciēs viget.
100.6 Cortex quoque medicīnālis est.
100.7 Sōl nimis fervidus folia adūrit.
100.8 Etiam Linnaeus hanc plantam laudāvit.
100.9 Sēmina quoque per ventum dispersa sunt.
100.10 Nimium dēnsa plantātiō morbōs gignit.
100.11 Herba haec quoque in pharmacopoeiā antīquā memorātur.
100.12 Etiam hieme perpetuā folia retinet, quod rārum est.
100.13 Solum nimis ūmidum fungōs parasīticōs invītat.
100.14 Rādīx quoque tuberōsa est, unde nōmen generis dērīvātur.
100.15 Etiam Theophrāstus, pater botānicēs, dē hāc stirpe scrīpsit, quoque Dioscoridēs.
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Grammar Rules for This Passage:
The grammar of this passage centers on three Latin words that all translate into some sense of English “too” but behave very differently in the sentence. Understanding their distinct syntactical rules is essential for reading botanical Latin accurately.
1. Quoque — The Postpositive Particle
The most critical grammar rule in this lesson is that quoque is postpositive — it must follow the word it modifies. This is a firm rule of Latin syntax, not merely a preference.
When you wish to say “the leaves too are smooth,” the quoque attaches to folia: Folia quoque glabra sunt. If you wish to say “the root too is tuberous,” the quoque follows rādīx: Rādīx quoque tuberōsa est.
This differs fundamentally from English, where “too” and “also” float relatively freely. In Latin, the placement of quoque tells the reader exactly which element is being added to a previous statement. Folia quoque means “the leaves TOO (in addition to the flowers previously mentioned).” Glabra quoque would mean “smooth TOO (in addition to some other quality).” Position determines meaning.
Quoque never begins a clause. Students who write quoque folia glabra sunt are making a common and conspicuous error. The word is classified as a conjunction in Dickinson but functions as an adverbial particle — it modifies by proximity, always postposed.
2. Etiam — The Preclitic Emphatic
Etiam stands before the word it emphasizes, the opposite of quoque. It carries a stronger, sometimes surprising force: “even,” “moreover,” “still.” When Vergil writes etiam ardua palma nascitur — “even the tall palm tree grows” — the etiam precedes ardua palma to signal that this is an unexpected or noteworthy addition.
In botanical Latin, etiam frequently introduces surprising observations: Etiam in solō aridō haec speciēs viget — “Even in dry soil, this species thrives.” The “even” carries the implication that thriving in dry soil is remarkable.
Etiam can also mean “still” in temporal contexts (etiam nunc = “even now, still now”), though this sense is less common in botanical description.
The key grammatical contrast: quoque follows its word, etiam precedes it. Both mean “also/too,” but etiam is more emphatic and versatile.
3. Nimis and Nimium — Degree Adverbs of Excess
Nimis and nimium are interchangeable adverbs meaning “too much, excessively.” They express the degree sense of English “too” — not addition but excess. Solum nimis rigātum = “soil watered too much.” Sōl nimis fervidus = “a too-blazing sun.”
In botanical and horticultural Latin, these words are indispensable for describing conditions that exceed the optimum: nimis ūmidum (too moist), nimis siccum (too dry), nimis dēnsum (too dense), nimis frigidum (too cold). They modify adjectives and participles directly, just as “too” does in English.
Nimis typically precedes the adjective or participle it modifies: nimis fervidus, nimis dēnsa, nimis rigātum.
4. Agreement Patterns in This Passage
Standard adjective-noun agreement applies throughout. Note especially: -
folia glabra (neuter plural nominative, subject) -
in solō aridō (neuter singular ablative after in) -
plantātiō dēnsa (feminine singular nominative, first declension noun with first/second declension adjective) -
fungōs parasīticōs (masculine plural accusative, direct objects)
5. Passive Constructions
Several sentences use the passive voice, which is extremely common in botanical Latin: -
dispersa sunt (perfect passive: “have been scattered”) -
memorātur (present passive: “is mentioned”) -
dērīvātur (present passive: “is derived”)
Botanical Latin prefers passive constructions because descriptions focus on the plant, not on the observer. The agent is rarely expressed.
6. The Relative Pronoun quod
In sentence 100.12, quod rārum est (”which is rare”) uses the relative pronoun quod referring back to the whole preceding clause. This “connecting relative” construction is very common in scientific Latin: a fact is stated, then a relative clause comments on it.
Common Errors for English Speakers: -
Placing quoque before its word (quoque folia instead of folia quoque) -
Confusing quoque (also/too) with quōque (ablative of quisque, “each”) — the macron matters -
Using etiam and quoque interchangeably without attending to word order -
Translating “too” as nimis when “also” is meant, or as quoque when “excessively” is meant
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The distinction between quoque, etiam, and nimis reflects a broader feature of Latin: the language demands precision about logical relationships that English leaves vague. When an English speaker says “this plant grows in shade too,” the “too” could mean “in addition to the sun” or “in addition to the other plant.” Latin forces the writer to clarify by placing quoque immediately after the element being added.
This precision made Latin an ideal vehicle for scientific description. When Linnaeus codified botanical nomenclature in the eighteenth century, he inherited a language already equipped to express fine distinctions of comparison, addition, and degree. His Species Plantarum and Genera Plantarum rely heavily on particles like quoque and etiam to build up additive descriptions of plant characteristics: stamens five, petals quoque five; corolla rotate, calyx etiam rotate.
The nimis/nimium distinction is especially important in horticultural Latin, where the concept of excess — too much water, too much shade, too much fertilizer — determines cultivation advice. Pliny the Elder’s Nātūrālis Historia uses nimis frequently when discussing soil conditions and plant tolerances. The concept resonates through centuries of gardening literature written in Latin, from medieval monastery garden manuals through Renaissance herbals.
In modern botanical Latin, these particles continue to appear in species descriptions and diagnostic keys. A description might note that leaves are etiam on the underside hairy (etiam subtus pilōsa), or that a habitat is nimis exposed for a shade-loving species. The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, though no longer requiring Latin diagnoses as of 2012, still preserves vast quantities of descriptive Latin where these particles are essential for accurate reading.
Regional usage note: In Neo-Latin scientific writing (sixteenth through nineteenth centuries), etiam tends to be preferred over quoque for additive meanings, perhaps because its pre-positioned syntax feels more natural to writers whose native languages (Italian, French, German) also place “also/even” before the relevant word. Classical purists, however, maintain the distinction.
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Source: Vergil, Geōrgica II.47–53 — On Grafting Wild Trees
This passage from Vergil’s second Georgic (the book on trees and vines) demonstrates both quoque and etiam in an authentic agricultural context, describing how even wild trees respond to cultivation.
Part F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Tamen yet haec these quoque, also sī if quis someone inserat grafts aut or scrobibus in-trenches-ABL mandet commits mūtāta changed-ACC-PL subāctīs, well-worked-ABL
exuerint they-will-shed silvestrem wild animum, nature-ACC
cultūque and-by-cultivation-ABL frequentī regular-ABL
in into quāscumque whatever volēs you-wish artēs skills-ACC haud not tarda slow sequentur. they-will-follow
Nec nor nōn not et also sterilis, barren-NOM quae which stirpibus from-rootstocks-ABL exit comes-forth ab from īmīs, the-lowest-ABL
hoc this faciat, would-do vacuōs empty-ACC sī if sit it-should-be digesta transplanted per through agrōs. fields-ACC
Tamen haec quoque, sī quis inserat aut scrobibus mandet mūtāta subāctīs, exuerint silvestrem animum, cultūque frequentī in quāscumque volēs artēs haud tarda sequentur. Nec nōn et sterilis, quae stirpibus exit ab īmīs, hoc faciat, vacuōs sī sit digesta per agrōs.
→ “Yet these too, if someone grafts them or commits them, changed, to well-worked trenches, will shed their wild nature, and with regular cultivation will follow, not slow, into whatever skills you wish. Nor would even the barren shoot, which comes forth from the lowest rootstocks, fail to do this, if it be transplanted through open fields.”
Tamen haec quoque, sī quis inserat aut scrobibus mandet mūtāta subāctīs, exuerint silvestrem animum, cultūque frequentī in quāscumque volēs artēs haud tarda sequentur. Nec nōn et sterilis, quae stirpibus exit ab īmīs, hoc faciat, vacuōs sī sit digesta per agrōs.
This is one of the great passages of Latin agricultural poetry, and it demonstrates the additive particles beautifully in a botanical context.
Haec quoque — “these too”: quoque follows haec (neuter plural demonstrative, referring to the wild-growing trees discussed in the preceding lines). Vergil is making an additive argument: earlier he described trees that grow from seed, from cuttings, and from layering; now he adds that even these wild volunteers will respond to cultivation. The quoque postposition is textbook-perfect.
Sī quis inserat — a present subjunctive in a conditional clause: “if someone should graft (them).” The verb inserō, inserere (to graft, literally “to plant in”) is a technical horticultural term still used in modern botanical Latin. The subjunctive inserat gives a generalizing, indefinite sense.
Scrobibus ... subāctīs — ablative plural with the participle: “in well-worked trenches.” Scrobēs (-ium, f.) are the planting trenches or holes dug for transplanting. Subāctīs (from subigō, “to work from below”) describes soil that has been thoroughly dug and prepared — a term still used in agricultural Latin.
Exuerint silvestrem animum — future perfect indicative: “they will have shed their wild character.” The metaphor is powerful — exuō means “to strip off” (as a garment), so the trees literally “undress” their wildness. Silvester (of the forest, wild) is a productive term in botanical nomenclature: Rosa silvestris, Malva silvestris.
Cultūque frequentī — ablative of means: “and by regular cultivation.” Cultus (-ūs, m.) = cultivation, culture; frequēns = regular, repeated. The -que is enclitic “and.”
Nec nōn et — a triple negative that resolves to a strong positive: “and indeed also” or “likewise.” This is an emphatic way of adding another category — the barren basal shoots — to the discussion.
Stirpibus ... ab īmīs — “from the lowest rootstocks.” Stirps, stirpis (f.) means root-stock, stem, or lineage — another term still active in botanical Latin (ex stirpe = from the rootstock).
The passage is a masterpiece of botanical optimism: nature can be transformed by human skill. For the botanist reading Latin, it demonstrates how quoque and the related additive constructions build cumulative arguments about plant behavior — each new observation added to the last, creating a comprehensive picture through careful syntactical addition.
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In this genre section, we read entries from an imaginary herbarium catalogue — the kind of descriptive register that botanists, curators, and gardeners encounter when working with preserved plant collections. Each entry uses quoque, etiam, or nimis in authentic cataloguing contexts.
100.16 Specimen specimen prīmum: first Rosa Rosa canīna canina L. Linnaeus Folia leaves pinnāta, pinnate petala petals quoque also rosea. pink
100.17 Habitat it-dwells in in sepibus hedgerows-ABL et and etiam also in in marginibus margins-ABL silvārum. of-forests
100.18 Spīnae thorns nimis too-much ācūtae sharp sunt; are cautē carefully tractētur. let-it-be-handled
100.19 Specimen specimen secundum: second Digitālis Digitalis purpūrea purpurea L. Linnaeus Herba herb biennis; biennial flōrēs flowers quoque also venenōsī poisonous sunt. are
100.20 Etiam even in in dosibus doses-ABL minimīs smallest-ABL cardiacum cardiac effectum effect-ACC praebet. it-provides
100.21 Folia leaves nimis too-much contūsa bruised sucum sap-ACC āmittunt; they-lose siccāta dried-NOM-PL melius better cōnservantur. they-are-preserved
100.22 Specimen specimen tertium: third Quercus Quercus rōbur robur L. Linnaeus Arbor tree ingēns; huge cortex bark quoque also tannīnum tannin-ACC continet. contains
100.23 Gallae galls in on foliīs leaves-ABL etiam even observātae observed sunt, are ab by insectīs insects-ABL effectae. produced
100.24 Lignum wood nimis too-much ūmidum moist in in herbāriō herbarium-ABL fungōs fungi-ACC attrahet. will-attract
100.25 Specimen specimen quārtum: fourth Lavandula Lavandula angustifolia angustifolia Mill. Miller Ōleum oil essentiale essential etiam even hodiē today in in medicīnā medicine-ABL ūsurpātur. is-used
100.26 Flōrēs flowers siccātī dried odōrem scent-ACC quoque also retinent, retain quod which rārum rare inter among herbās herbs-ACC est. is
100.27 Sī if nimis too-much prope near rādīcem root-ACC secātur, it-is-cut planta plant interit. dies
100.28 Specimen specimen quīntum: fifth Taxus Taxus baccāta baccata L. Linnaeus Omnēs all partēs parts venenōsae poisonous sunt, are arillus aril quoque also etiam even sī if dulcis sweet vidētur. it-seems
100.29 Umbra shade nimis too-much dēnsa dense sub under hāc this-ABL arbore tree-ABL aliīs other-DAT plantīs plants-DAT nocet. harms
100.30 Etiam even post after mīlle a-thousand annōs years-ACC Taxus Taxus antiqua ancient in in coemētēriīs churchyards-ABL Britanniae of-Britain viget; thrives longaevitās longevity quoque also admīrābilis admirable est. isGenre