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.
Table of Contents
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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Brassica oleracea var. capitata | CAB-ij |
| Broccoli | Brassica oleracea var. italica | BROK-uh-lee |
| Cauliflower | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis | KAW-lee-flou-er |
| Kale | Brassica oleracea var. acephala | KAYL |
| Brussels Sprouts | Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera | BRUSS-uhls SPROUTS |
| Turnip | Brassica rapa subsp. rapa | TUR-nip |
| Collard Greens | Brassica oleracea var. viridis | KAH-lurd GREENZ |
| Mustard Greens | Brassica juncea | MUS-turd GREENZ |
| Bok Choy | Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis | BOK-CHOY |
| Arugula | Eruca vesicaria | uh-ROO-guh-luh |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus | RAD-ish |
| Chinese Cabbage | Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis | CHY-neez CAB-ij |
| Mizuna | Brassica rapa var. nipposinica | mee-ZOO-nuh |
| Komatsuna | Brassica rapa var. perviridis | koh-maht-SOO-nuh |
| Wasabi Greens | Wasabia japonica | wah-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Daucus carota | KAIR-ut |
| Beetroot | Beta vulgaris | BEET-root |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus | RAD-ish |
| Turnip | Brassica rapa subsp. rapa | TUR-nip |
| Sweet Potato | Ipomoea batatas | SWEET puh-TAY-toh |
| Yam | Dioscorea alata | YAM |
| Cassava | Manihot esculenta | kuh-SAH-vuh |
| Parsnip | Pastinaca sativa | PAHR-snip |
| Rutabaga | Brassica napobrassica | ROO-tuh-BAY-guh |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus | juh-ROO-suh-luhm AHR-ti-chohk |
| Taro | Colocasia esculenta | TAR-oh |
| Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | HORSE-rad-ish |
| Jicama | Pachyrhizus erosus | HEE-kah-mah |
| Lotus Root | Nelumbo nucifera | LOH-tuhs ROOT |
| Salsify | Tragopogon porrifolius | SAL-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Spinacia oleracea | SPIN-itch |
| Lettuce | Lactuca sativa | LET-iss |
| Cabbage | Brassica oleracea | CAB-ij |
| Kale | Brassica oleracea var. acephala | KAYL |
| Mustard Greens | Brassica juncea | MUS-turd GREENZ |
| Swiss Chard | Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla | SWISS CHARD |
| Collard Greens | Brassica oleracea | KAH-lurd GREENZ |
| Arugula | Eruca vesicaria | uh-ROO-guh-luh |
| Watercress | Nasturtium officinale | WAW-tur-kress |
| Bok Choy | Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis | BOK-CHOY |
| Amaranth Leaves | Amaranthus tricolor | AM-uh-ranth LEAVES |
| Sorrel | Rumex acetosa | SAWR-uhl |
| Moringa Leaves | Moringa oleifera | moh-RING-uh LEAVES |
| Malabar Spinach | Basella alba | MAL-uh-bar SPIN-itch |
| Iceberg Lettuce | Lactuca sativa var. capitata | ICE-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Solanum lycopersicum | tuh-MAY-toh |
| Eggplant | Solanum melongena | EG-plant |
| Bell Pepper | Capsicum annuum | BEL PEP-er |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus | KYOO-kum-ber |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbita pepo | PUM-kin |
| Zucchini | Cucurbita pepo (var. cylindrica) | zoo-KEE-nee |
| Bitter Gourd | Momordica charantia | BIH-ter GORD |
| Bottle Gourd | Lagenaria siceraria | BOT-uhl GORD |
| Snake Gourd | Trichosanthes cucumerina | SNAYK GORD |
| Ridge Gourd | Luffa acutangula | RIJ GORD |
| Ivy Gourd | Coccinia grandis | EYE-vee GORD |
| Okra (Lady’s Finger) | Abelmoschus esculentus | OH-krah |
| Chayote | Sechium edule | chah-YOH-tay |
| Sponge Gourd | Luffa aegyptiaca | SPUNJ GORD |
| Ash Gourd | Benincasa hispida | ASH 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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | Allium cepa | UN-yun |
| Garlic | Allium sativum | GAR-lik |
| Shallot | Allium cepa var. aggregatum | SHAL-uht |
| Leek | Allium ampeloprasum | LEEK |
| Spring Onion | Allium fistulosum | SPRING UN-yun |
| Chive | Allium schoenoprasum | CHIVE |
| Pearl Onion | Allium ampeloprasum | PURL UN-yun |
| Elephant Garlic | Allium ampeloprasum | EH-luh-fuhnt GAR-lik |
| Welsh Onion | Allium fistulosum | WELSH UN-yun |
| Wild Garlic | Allium ursinum | WYLD GAR-lik |
| Egyptian Onion | Allium × proliferum | ee-JIP-shun UN-yun |
| Chinese Chive | Allium tuberosum | CHAI-neez CHIVE |
| Tree Onion | Allium cepa var. viviparum | TREE UN-yun |
| Red Onion | Allium cepa | RED UN-yun |
| White Onion | Allium cepa | WYTE 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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Celery | Apium graveolens | SEL-er-ee |
| Asparagus | Asparagus officinalis | uh-SPAIR-uh-gus |
| Kohlrabi | Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes | kohl-RAH-bee |
| Rhubarb | Rheum rhabarbarum | ROO-barb |
| Bamboo Shoot | Bambusa vulgaris | BAM-boo SHOOT |
| Sugarcane | Saccharum officinarum | SHOO-gur-kayn |
| Fiddlehead Fern | Matteuccia struthiopteris | FID-uhl-hed FURN |
| Taro Stem | Colocasia esculenta | TAR-oh STEM |
| Swamp Cabbage | Ipomoea aquatica | SWOMP CAB-ij |
| Lotus Stem | Nelumbo nucifera | LOH-tuhs STEM |
| Water Spinach Stem | Ipomoea aquatica | WAW-ter SPI-nach STEM |
| Parsley Stem | Petroselinum crispum | PARS-lee STEM |
| Celeriac | Apium graveolens var. rapaceum | SELL-er-ee-ak |
| Galangal Stem | Alpinia galanga | GAL-an-gal STEM |
| Cardoon | Cynara cardunculus | KAR-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Potato | Solanum tuberosum | puh-TAY-toh |
| Yam | Dioscorea alata | YAM |
| Taro | Colocasia esculenta | TAR-oh |
| Cassava | Manihot esculenta | kuh-SAH-vuh |
| Sweet Potato | Ipomoea batatas | SWEET puh-TAY-toh |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus | juh-ROO-suh-luhm ART-ih-choke |
| Jicama | Pachyrhizus erosus | HEE-kuh-muh |
| Oca | Oxalis tuberosa | OH-kuh |
| Arrowroot | Maranta arundinacea | AIR-oh-root |
| Ulluco | Ullucus tuberosus | OO-loo-koh |
| Tigernut | Cyperus esculentus | TYE-ger-nut |
| Mashua | Tropaeolum tuberosum | MAH-shoo-uh |
| Groundnut | Apios americana | GROUND-nuht |
| Chinese Yam | Dioscorea polystachya | CHAI-neez YAM |
| Winged Yam | Dioscorea alata | WINGD 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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Green Peas | Pisum sativum | GREEN PEEZ |
| Snow Peas | Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon | SNOW PEEZ |
| Chickpeas | Cicer arietinum | CHIK-peez |
| Black-eyed Peas | Vigna unguiculata | BLACK-eyed PEEZ |
| Kidney Beans | Phaseolus vulgaris | KID-nee BEENZ |
| French Beans | Phaseolus vulgaris | FRENCH BEENZ |
| Soybeans | Glycine max | SOY-beenz |
| Lima Beans | Phaseolus lunatus | LIE-muh BEENZ |
| Mung Beans | Vigna radiata | MUNG BEENZ |
| Broad Beans | Vicia faba | BROD BEENZ |
| Scarlet Runner Beans | Phaseolus coccineus | SKAR-let RUN-er BEENZ |
| Okra | Abelmoschus esculentus | OH-krah |
| Yardlong Beans | Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis | YARD-long BEENZ |
| Winged Beans | Psophocarpus tetragonolobus | WINGD BEENZ |
| Cluster Beans | Cyamopsis tetragonoloba | KLUH-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.

| Common Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle Gourd | Lagenaria siceraria | BOT-uhl GORD |
| Bitter Gourd | Momordica charantia | BIH-ter GORD |
| Ridge Gourd | Luffa acutangula | RIJ GORD |
| Snake Gourd | Trichosanthes cucumerina | SNAYK GORD |
| Ivy Gourd | Coccinia grandis | EYE-vee GORD |
| Ash Gourd | Benincasa hispida | ASH GORD |
| Wax Gourd | Benincasa hispida | WAKS GORD |
| Sponge Gourd | Luffa aegyptiaca | SPUNJ GORD |
| Apple Gourd | Lagenaria siceraria | AP-uhl GORD |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbita pepo | PUM-kin |
| Watermelon | Citrullus lanatus | WAW-ter-MEL-uhn |
| Muskmelon | Cucumis melo | MUSK-MEL-uhn |
| Cantaloupe | Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis | KAN-tuh-loop |
| Chayote | Sechium edule | chah-YOH-tay |
| Tinda | Praecitrullus fistulosus | TIN-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Cauliflower | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis | KAW-lee-flou-er |
| Broccoli | Brassica oleracea var. italica | BROK-uh-lee |
| Artichoke | Cynara scolymus | AHR-ti-chohk |
| Banana Flower | Musa acuminata | buh-NA-nuh FLAU-er |
| Squash Blossom | Cucurbita pepo | SKWOSH BLOSS-um |
| Agati Flower | Sesbania grandiflora | uh-GAH-tee FLAU-er |
| Chive Blossom | Allium schoenoprasum | CHIVE BLOSS-um |
| Moringa Flower | Moringa oleifera | moh-RING-uh FLAU-er |
| Pumpkin Flower | Cucurbita pepo | PUM-kin FLAU-er |
| Zucchini Flower | Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica | zoo-KEE-nee FLAU-er |
| Taro Flower | Colocasia esculenta | TAR-oh FLAU-er |
| Neem Flower | Azadirachta indica | NEEM FLAU-er |
| Sesban Flower | Sesbania grandiflora | SES-ban FLAU-er |
| Mustard Flower | Brassica juncea | MUS-turd FLAU-er |
| Onion Flower | Allium cepa | UN-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 Name | Scientific Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Button Mushroom | Agaricus bisporus | BUH-tn MUSH-room |
| Portobello Mushroom | Agaricus bisporus (mature form) | POR-tuh-BEL-oh MUSH-room |
| Cremini Mushroom | Agaricus bisporus (young form) | kruh-MEE-nee MUSH-room |
| Shiitake Mushroom | Lentinula edodes | shee-TAH-kee MUSH-room |
| Oyster Mushroom | Pleurotus ostreatus | OY-ster MUSH-room |
| Enoki Mushroom | Flammulina velutipes | eh-NOH-kee MUSH-room |
| King Oyster Mushroom | Pleurotus eryngii | KING OY-ster MUSH-room |
| Morel Mushroom | Morchella esculenta | MOR-el MUSH-room |
| Chanterelle Mushroom | Cantharellus cibarius | shan-teh-REL MUSH-room |
| Maitake Mushroom | Grifola frondosa | my-TAH-kee MUSH-room |
| Lion’s Mane | Hericium erinaceus | LIONS MAYN |
| Turkey Tail | Trametes versicolor | TUR-kee TAYL |
| Wood Ear Mushroom | Auricularia auricula-judae | WOOD EER MUSH-room |
| Puffball Mushroom | Calvatia gigantea | PUFF-ball MUSH-room |
| Straw Mushroom | Volvariella volvacea | STRAW 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.

