Scientific Names of Vegetables: Cruciferous, Leafy, and Root List

Scientific Names of Vegetables: Cruciferous, Leafy, and Root List

What are the scientific names of vegetables? A scientific name is the universal identification of plants in biology, based on binomial names. It eliminates the confusion caused by multiple local names. For vegetables, it helps in agriculture, health, research, and culinary science.

Scientific names allow one to trace the botanical identity, origin, and classification of vegetables. Learning scientific names enhances the study of cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, as well as leafy greens like spinach and kale, root vegetables like carrots and radishes, and even fruit vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. This guide lists the most commonly used vegetables by category, complete with their botanical names and simple English pronunciations.

Cruciferous Vegetables Scientific Names List

Cruciferous vegetables are in the Brassicaceae family. They are potent cancer-fighting plants, strongly flavored yet nutrient-packed, and beneficial for the heart and other digestive organs.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
CabbageBrassica oleracea var. capitataCAB-ij
BroccoliBrassica oleracea var. italicaBROK-uh-lee
CauliflowerBrassica oleracea var. botrytisKAW-lee-flou-er
KaleBrassica oleracea var. acephalaKAYL
Brussels SproutsBrassica oleracea var. gemmiferaBRUSS-uhls SPROUTS
TurnipBrassica rapa subsp. rapaTUR-nip
Collard GreensBrassica oleracea var. viridisKAH-lurd GREENZ
Mustard GreensBrassica junceaMUS-turd GREENZ
Bok ChoyBrassica rapa subsp. chinensisBOK-CHOY
ArugulaEruca vesicariauh-ROO-guh-luh
RadishRaphanus sativusRAD-ish
Chinese CabbageBrassica rapa subsp. pekinensisCHY-neez CAB-ij
MizunaBrassica rapa var. nipposinicamee-ZOO-nuh
KomatsunaBrassica rapa var. perviridiskoh-maht-SOO-nuh
Wasabi GreensWasabia japonicawah-SAH-bee GREENZ

Root Vegetables Scientific Names List

Root vegetables grow underneath the ground. These are cleared of starches, fibers, and other nutrients. They provide long-lasting boosts of energy; most cuisines of the world consider them staples.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
CarrotDaucus carotaKAIR-ut
BeetrootBeta vulgarisBEET-root
RadishRaphanus sativusRAD-ish
TurnipBrassica rapa subsp. rapaTUR-nip
Sweet PotatoIpomoea batatasSWEET puh-TAY-toh
YamDioscorea alataYAM
CassavaManihot esculentakuh-SAH-vuh
ParsnipPastinaca sativaPAHR-snip
RutabagaBrassica napobrassicaROO-tuh-BAY-guh
Jerusalem ArtichokeHelianthus tuberosusjuh-ROO-suh-luhm AHR-ti-chohk
TaroColocasia esculentaTAR-oh
HorseradishArmoracia rusticanaHORSE-rad-ish
JicamaPachyrhizus erosusHEE-kah-mah
Lotus RootNelumbo nuciferaLOH-tuhs ROOT
SalsifyTragopogon porrifoliusSAL-suh-fee

List of Leafy Vegetables Scientific Name

Leafy vegetables are soft, green, and enriched with vitamins such as A, K, and folate. Excellent for digestion and immunization, it’s also low-calorie.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
SpinachSpinacia oleraceaSPIN-itch
LettuceLactuca sativaLET-iss
CabbageBrassica oleraceaCAB-ij
KaleBrassica oleracea var. acephalaKAYL
Mustard GreensBrassica junceaMUS-turd GREENZ
Swiss ChardBeta vulgaris subsp. ciclaSWISS CHARD
Collard GreensBrassica oleraceaKAH-lurd GREENZ
ArugulaEruca vesicariauh-ROO-guh-luh
WatercressNasturtium officinaleWAW-tur-kress
Bok ChoyBrassica rapa subsp. chinensisBOK-CHOY
Amaranth LeavesAmaranthus tricolorAM-uh-ranth LEAVES
SorrelRumex acetosaSAWR-uhl
Moringa LeavesMoringa oleiferamoh-RING-uh LEAVES
Malabar SpinachBasella albaMAL-uh-bar SPIN-itch
Iceberg LettuceLactuca sativa var. capitataICE-burg LET-iss

Fruit Vegetables Scientific Name

Fruit vegetables are, in fact, the fruits of a plant, but are considered vegetables as they are eaten in cooking. All of them usually have seeds and develop from the flowering part of the plant. These types of vegetables are also important in both tropical and temperate regions.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
TomatoSolanum lycopersicumtuh-MAY-toh
EggplantSolanum melongenaEG-plant
Bell PepperCapsicum annuumBEL PEP-er
CucumberCucumis sativusKYOO-kum-ber
PumpkinCucurbita pepoPUM-kin
ZucchiniCucurbita pepo (var. cylindrica)zoo-KEE-nee
Bitter GourdMomordica charantiaBIH-ter GORD
Bottle GourdLagenaria sicerariaBOT-uhl GORD
Snake GourdTrichosanthes cucumerinaSNAYK GORD
Ridge GourdLuffa acutangulaRIJ GORD
Ivy GourdCoccinia grandisEYE-vee GORD
Okra (Lady’s Finger)Abelmoschus esculentusOH-krah
ChayoteSechium edulechah-YOH-tay
Sponge GourdLuffa aegyptiacaSPUNJ GORD
Ash GourdBenincasa hispidaASH GORD

Botanical Names of Bulb Vegetables

Bulb vegetables grow underground in bulb-like structures and are renowned for their strong flavor and medicinal value. They are known for their intense flavors and medicinal values, staples in kitchens all around the world.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
OnionAllium cepaUN-yun
GarlicAllium sativumGAR-lik
ShallotAllium cepa var. aggregatumSHAL-uht
LeekAllium ampeloprasumLEEK
Spring OnionAllium fistulosumSPRING UN-yun
ChiveAllium schoenoprasumCHIVE
Pearl OnionAllium ampeloprasumPURL UN-yun
Elephant GarlicAllium ampeloprasumEH-luh-fuhnt GAR-lik
Welsh OnionAllium fistulosumWELSH UN-yun
Wild GarlicAllium ursinumWYLD GAR-lik
Egyptian OnionAllium × proliferumee-JIP-shun UN-yun
Chinese ChiveAllium tuberosumCHAI-neez CHIVE
Tree OnionAllium cepa var. viviparumTREE UN-yun
Red OnionAllium cepaRED UN-yun
White OnionAllium cepaWYTE UN-yun

Stem Vegetables Scientific Names List

Stem vegetables store nutrients in their stems, which are crispy and nutritious parts. Dressings and garnishing of salads, stir-fries, and soups are where they shine.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
CeleryApium graveolensSEL-er-ee
AsparagusAsparagus officinalisuh-SPAIR-uh-gus
KohlrabiBrassica oleracea var. gongylodeskohl-RAH-bee
RhubarbRheum rhabarbarumROO-barb
Bamboo ShootBambusa vulgarisBAM-boo SHOOT
SugarcaneSaccharum officinarumSHOO-gur-kayn
Fiddlehead FernMatteuccia struthiopterisFID-uhl-hed FURN
Taro StemColocasia esculentaTAR-oh STEM
Swamp CabbageIpomoea aquaticaSWOMP CAB-ij
Lotus StemNelumbo nuciferaLOH-tuhs STEM
Water Spinach StemIpomoea aquaticaWAW-ter SPI-nach STEM
Parsley StemPetroselinum crispumPARS-lee STEM
CeleriacApium graveolens var. rapaceumSELL-er-ee-ak
Galangal StemAlpinia galangaGAL-an-gal STEM
CardoonCynara cardunculusKAR-doon

Biological Names List of Tuber Vegetables

A tuber is an underground swollen stem or root that serves as a starch storage. They are essential food crops for millions and can be cock in a myriad of ways.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
PotatoSolanum tuberosumpuh-TAY-toh
YamDioscorea alataYAM
TaroColocasia esculentaTAR-oh
CassavaManihot esculentakuh-SAH-vuh
Sweet PotatoIpomoea batatasSWEET puh-TAY-toh
Jerusalem ArtichokeHelianthus tuberosusjuh-ROO-suh-luhm ART-ih-choke
JicamaPachyrhizus erosusHEE-kuh-muh
OcaOxalis tuberosaOH-kuh
ArrowrootMaranta arundinaceaAIR-oh-root
UllucoUllucus tuberosusOO-loo-koh
TigernutCyperus esculentusTYE-ger-nut
MashuaTropaeolum tuberosumMAH-shoo-uh
GroundnutApios americanaGROUND-nuht
Chinese YamDioscorea polystachyaCHAI-neez YAM
Winged YamDioscorea alataWINGD YAM

Podded Vegetables Scientific Name

Podded vegetables produce edible pods or seeds and are protein-rich for plants. They are used in stir-fries, soups, and snacks.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
Green PeasPisum sativumGREEN PEEZ
Snow PeasPisum sativum var. macrocarponSNOW PEEZ
ChickpeasCicer arietinumCHIK-peez
Black-eyed PeasVigna unguiculataBLACK-eyed PEEZ
Kidney BeansPhaseolus vulgarisKID-nee BEENZ
French BeansPhaseolus vulgarisFRENCH BEENZ
SoybeansGlycine maxSOY-beenz
Lima BeansPhaseolus lunatusLIE-muh BEENZ
Mung BeansVigna radiataMUNG BEENZ
Broad BeansVicia fabaBROD BEENZ
Scarlet Runner BeansPhaseolus coccineusSKAR-let RUN-er BEENZ
OkraAbelmoschus esculentusOH-krah
Yardlong BeansVigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalisYARD-long BEENZ
Winged BeansPsophocarpus tetragonolobusWINGD BEENZ
Cluster BeansCyamopsis tetragonolobaKLUH-ster BEENZ

Gourds and Melons Vegetables Latin Names

This category includes members of the gourd family commonly eaten in traditional preparations. Some are eaten raw, others are dried or used medicinally.

Scientific Names of Vegetables: Cruciferous, Leafy, and Root List
Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
Bottle GourdLagenaria sicerariaBOT-uhl GORD
Bitter GourdMomordica charantiaBIH-ter GORD
Ridge GourdLuffa acutangulaRIJ GORD
Snake GourdTrichosanthes cucumerinaSNAYK GORD
Ivy GourdCoccinia grandisEYE-vee GORD
Ash GourdBenincasa hispidaASH GORD
Wax GourdBenincasa hispidaWAKS GORD
Sponge GourdLuffa aegyptiacaSPUNJ GORD
Apple GourdLagenaria sicerariaAP-uhl GORD
PumpkinCucurbita pepoPUM-kin
WatermelonCitrullus lanatusWAW-ter-MEL-uhn
MuskmelonCucumis meloMUSK-MEL-uhn
CantaloupeCucumis melo var. cantalupensisKAN-tuh-loop
ChayoteSechium edulechah-YOH-tay
TindaPraecitrullus fistulosusTIN-duh

Flowers Vegetable Scientific Names List

Flowering vegetables are the edible parts of a plant. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, they are used widely in soups, stir-fries, and steamed dishes, among other preparations.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
CauliflowerBrassica oleracea var. botrytisKAW-lee-flou-er
BroccoliBrassica oleracea var. italicaBROK-uh-lee
ArtichokeCynara scolymusAHR-ti-chohk
Banana FlowerMusa acuminatabuh-NA-nuh FLAU-er
Squash BlossomCucurbita pepoSKWOSH BLOSS-um
Agati FlowerSesbania grandiflorauh-GAH-tee FLAU-er
Chive BlossomAllium schoenoprasumCHIVE BLOSS-um
Moringa FlowerMoringa oleiferamoh-RING-uh FLAU-er
Pumpkin FlowerCucurbita pepoPUM-kin FLAU-er
Zucchini FlowerCucurbita pepo var. cylindricazoo-KEE-nee FLAU-er
Taro FlowerColocasia esculentaTAR-oh FLAU-er
Neem FlowerAzadirachta indicaNEEM FLAU-er
Sesban FlowerSesbania grandifloraSES-ban FLAU-er
Mustard FlowerBrassica junceaMUS-turd FLAU-er
Onion FlowerAllium cepaUN-yun FLAU-er

Fungi Vegetables Scientific Names List

Fungi vegetables are a unique food group consisting predominantly of edible mushrooms, known for their umami flavor and nutritional properties. It is defined as any group of edible fungi.

Common NameScientific NamePronunciation
Button MushroomAgaricus bisporusBUH-tn MUSH-room
Portobello MushroomAgaricus bisporus (mature form)POR-tuh-BEL-oh MUSH-room
Cremini MushroomAgaricus bisporus (young form)kruh-MEE-nee MUSH-room
Shiitake MushroomLentinula edodesshee-TAH-kee MUSH-room
Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatusOY-ster MUSH-room
Enoki MushroomFlammulina velutipeseh-NOH-kee MUSH-room
King Oyster MushroomPleurotus eryngiiKING OY-ster MUSH-room
Morel MushroomMorchella esculentaMOR-el MUSH-room
Chanterelle MushroomCantharellus cibariusshan-teh-REL MUSH-room
Maitake MushroomGrifola frondosamy-TAH-kee MUSH-room
Lion’s ManeHericium erinaceusLIONS MAYN
Turkey TailTrametes versicolorTUR-kee TAYL
Wood Ear MushroomAuricularia auricula-judaeWOOD EER MUSH-room
Puffball MushroomCalvatia giganteaPUFF-ball MUSH-room
Straw MushroomVolvariella volvaceaSTRAW MUSH-room

Why Scientific Names of Vegetables Are Important

  • Universality: Scientific names are used worldwide.
  • Avoid confusion: A vegetable can have multiple local names.
  • Scientific research: Useful for agriculture, nutrition, and botany.

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