Botanical

Botanical is an adjective relating to botany, the scientific study of plant life. It describes things pertaining to plants or to the discipline of botany, including knowledge about the structure, function, reproduction, classification, and ecology of plants and related organisms such as algae. The term is widely used in science, horticulture, and industry to designate plant-related subjects, products, or approaches.

In practice, botanical science covers plant anatomy, physiology, genetics, taxonomy, and ecology, as well as applied fields like agronomy, forestry, and conservation biology. The word appears in everyday and technical usage: botanical gardens and herbariums preserve and display plant collections; botanical nomenclature provides the universal names for plants; and botanical extracts or ingredients are used in medicine, cosmetics, and dietary products. Botanical art and literature describe or illustrate plant life with attention to scientific accuracy.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from roots in Greek, with botane meaning “plant,” and the suffix -ical, reflecting its integration into English through Latin and French. In modern English, botanical remains a neutral term used to describe anything related to plant science or plant life, without implying value judgments beyond its connection to plants. The word is common in academic contexts as well as in everyday discourse about plants and plant-derived materials.