Find the Correct Scientific Name for Any Herb
Look up the accepted scientific name, plant family and synonyms for common herbs.
This tool was built by Serge, MSc., a plant biologist and environmental scientist with a BSc in Plant Biology and an MSc in Environmental Biology and Biogeochemistry. My academic background includes plant taxonomy and herbarium work, identifying and naming plants by their Latin binomial. These tools are for educational purposes and give practical guidance, not professional advice.
Common names are inconsistent. One name can cover several unrelated plants, and one plant can carry many names, which is why science uses a single Latin binomial per species. Type a common name, or pick from the list, to see the accepted scientific name, the plant family, and the older synonyms you may still meet on product labels.
No match found. Check the spelling or pick from the list.
How this works
Each entry gives the currently accepted binomial, the genus and species that uniquely identify the plant, followed by the family it belongs to. Where a plant is widely sold under an older name, that synonym is listed too, since it still appears on many labels. The names here follow standard botanical references and were checked against herbarium and taxonomic sources.
Understanding your result
The accepted name is the one to trust when buying or researching a herb, because it points to a single species. A synonym is an older valid-looking name for the same plant, kept here so you can recognise it. The family tells you the plant's broader group, which is useful because related plants often share compounds and, sometimes, allergy risks.
Important note
This is a naming reference for common herbs, not a plant identification tool. A name alone cannot confirm what plant you are holding, and some herbs have poisonous look-alikes. For identifying an unknown plant, use a regional flora, a herbarium, or a qualified botanist, and never eat or use a plant you cannot identify with certainty.
Scientific basis
The accepted names and synonyms were checked against standard botanical references, including Plants of the World Online (POWO) from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew at powo.science.kew.org, and the Flora of the Southeastern United States, a herbarium taxonomy reference from UNC, at fsus.ncbg.unc.edu.
Pair this with my other free tools
Once you have the right plant, see when to pick it with the Herb Harvest Calendar, brew it correctly with the Herbal Tea Steeping Guide, and build a balanced blend with the Herbal Tea Blend Ratio Calculator.
Disclaimer: This tool is a naming reference for educational use and is not a substitute for expert plant identification.
