› Forums › Herb-Talk | Archive › Botanical Medicine › Medicinal Herbs › What does spp. mean

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    • January 19, 2016 at 4:31 PM #34875
      Loraine Lott
      Student

        Pardon my not knowing…. But what does the ‘spp’ stand for? There’s Mahonia Repens, Mahonia aquifolium and such. Trying to learn the Latin names for the plants now… It must mean something. Thanks

      • January 21, 2016 at 1:45 PM #34878
        IdahoHerbalist

          spp means all species inclusive.

        • January 22, 2016 at 12:25 PM #34879
          Dr. Patrick Jones
          Homestead Instructor

            Exactly. In some cases all the species in a genus have similar medicinal properties. In those cases we would say Mahonia spp. rather than listing them all. 🙂

            Doc

            Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

          • January 23, 2016 at 4:43 AM #34882
            Loraine Lott
            Student
            Topic Author

              Spp means all. So if a name has officinalis by it then it is the only that plant of the species that’s medicinal. Right?

              Hey… I love quizlet by the way. I study in public and people think I’m smart! Way to go!

              Thanks!

            • January 23, 2016 at 6:06 AM #34883
              IdahoHerbalist

                llott wrote: So if a name has officinalis by it then it is the only that plant of the species that’s medicinal. Right?!

                Not always. That is just the one that was recognized at the time or in the reference.

              • January 25, 2016 at 3:31 PM #34884
                Loraine Lott
                Student
                Topic Author

                  Well…. Ok then. I will pay more attention to them all. Thanks a bunch for your words.

                • January 26, 2016 at 1:22 AM #34885
                  IdahoHerbalist

                    Just be sure to do your RESEARCH before assuming that one species or another in a genus is medicinal.

                  • January 26, 2016 at 3:39 AM #34886
                    Loraine Lott
                    Student
                    Topic Author

                      Will do for sure!! Thanks

                    • February 11, 2016 at 4:03 PM #34889
                      Dr. Patrick Jones
                      Homestead Instructor

                        llott wrote: So if a name has officinalis by it then it is the only that plant of the species that’s medicinal. Right?

                        Hey… I love quizlet by the way. I study in public and people think I’m smart! Way to go!

                        Thanks!

                        Officinalis means “From the officina“. The officina was the little room in the monastary where the monks kept the medicinal plants and remedies. So if a plant has that name, It has a long history of medicinal use. I can’t think of any that aren’t still used medicinally. IT doesn’t mean they are perfectly safe or the best choice (though they usually are) so it isn’t a “get out of studying free” card. 🙂

                        Doc

                        Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

                      • February 12, 2016 at 2:14 PM #34890
                        Loraine Lott
                        Student
                        Topic Author

                          Haha…. Thanks!

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