Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
January 1, 2014
Vegetable and Fruit Names
A Multi-Lingual Glossary for Herbivorous and Omnivorous Reptile Keepers
©2000 Melissa Kaplan
As pet iguanas are found increasingly all around the world, talking about the vegetables and fruits that make up the iguana salad becomes increasingly confusing.
My MK Salad - An Illustrated Reference page has photos of the ingredients in the Basic Salad recipe in my Iguana Care, Feeding and Socialization article. The Illustrated Reference has some alternate common names that I have picked up through reading posts on the IguanaMail list through the years. This Vegetable and Fruit Names resource will be broader in scope, a place to compile the common names of vegetables of all types: those that can be used regularly, those that should be used only in small amounts as occasional treats, and those that should avoided altogether. If you can't find what you are looking for her, check out the resources linked to the end of this document.
To submit names to me, please email me and include the language name, the English or botanical name of the plant you are submitting along with its translation. You may also be able to help with my Product Names listing.
Important Note: Some of the plants listed below are not suitable for feeding at all or other than as very occasional treats due to the amount of harmful phytochemicals in them, most notably calcium oxalate, oxalic acid, goitrogens, nitrates, gastric irritants, and narcotic/psychotropic effects. They are included here because their common names are very similar to plants that are safe to feed regularly. The harmful and potentially harmful ones are marked with an *.
Leafy Greens
|
alfalfa |
alfalfa (US, NE, SP). Buffalo grass (US). Lucerne (?). erba medica, pianta medica foraggio (IT); Jatt; Kaba Yonca; Lucerne; Mielga; Mu Su; Rucola, Rauke (DE); Sai Pi Li Ka; Yonj. Medicago sativa |
|
(US). rocket (US), roquette (FR), rucula, rucola (IT). Eruca sativa |
|
|
*beet greens |
(US). remolacha azucarera (hacelga?) (SP); bietola, bietole (IT). Beta vulgaris |
| bell pepper | See sweet pepper |
|
bok choi |
See pak choy |
|
borecale |
See collard greens |
|
broccoli rabe |
also spelled: rabe, raab (US); cime di rapa (IT). Other than the incidental broccoli-like appearance of the few flowers, this is not broccoli. See rapini. |
|
brussels sprouts |
(US). Coles de bruselas (SP); cavoletti di Bruxelles (IT). Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera Group) |
|
cabbage; red cabbage |
(US). repollo, col lombarda (SP); cavolo rosso, cavolo nero (IT); kubis, kubis merah (MA). Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) |
| casava leaves | also cassava (see Vegetables below) (US); daun singkong (IA); Manihot esculenta |
| cauliflower | (US). chou-fleur (FR); kubis bunga (MA). Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L. |
|
chard |
Swiss chard; rainbow chard, red chard (US). Spinach beet; Mangold (DE); biete, bietola comune (IT); Mangel Wurzel. Beta vulgaris spp. |
|
(US). Endive chicory; endive; cultivated endive; hindiba; radiccio, escarola (SP).(Cichorium endivia). Chicory; Common Chicory; Wild Chicory; cicoria (IT). (Cichorium intybus). [Also Orange Agoseris, Orange-flower Goat-chicory (Agoseris aurantiaca) leaves are eaten cooked. Mountain Dandelion, Pale Agoseris, Pale Goat-chicory (Agoseris glauca) is used for its latex-like gum, not as a leafy salad or cooked food green.] |
|
|
*Chinese spinach |
Amaranth Greens, Baqlat Iamania, [Bayam], Berry-bearing Orache, Hijau Salad Amaranth, Hinn-choy, Joseph's Coat, Purple Amaranth, Strawberry Blite, Slender Amaranth, Strawberry Spinach, Vegetable Amaranth, Wild Amaranth; spinacio cinese (IT) . Amaranthus tricolor, A. polygamus, A. mangostanus, A. blitum. Very high in nitrites: do not feed. |
|
chou precoce |
See collard greens |
|
(US). borecale, cut-and-come-again, rosette colewort, watercress (UK), spring greens, pamphrey (UK); chou precoce (FR), col verde nueva, verdes del collard (SP), lente blad groente (NE), junge kohlblatter (DE); Cavolo Nero, verza (IT); berza (SP). Brassica oleracea var.acephala. Note: In the UK, bags of "spring greens" = collard; "greens" = cabbage. See kale. See also the ARS database. |
|
|
corn salad, kuzu gevregi, lamb's lettuce, lamb's lettuce, Lewiston cornsalad, loblollie, mache; Feldsalat, Rupunzel (DE); songino valeriana, valerianella, valeriana (IT). Valerianella locusta. (Note: not to be confused with lambsquarter, Chenopodium album, which is high in oxalate.) |
|
|
curled mustard |
Mustard cabbage (US); mostarda foglia riccia, cavolo riccio (IT). Brassica juncea crispifolia |
|
dandelion |
Dente di leone, soffione, tarassaco (IT); paardebloembladen (NE); Loewenzahn (DE), diente de león (SP). Taraxacum officinale |
|
endive |
See escarole. Chicoree (DE); indivia, cicoria indivia (IT). Cichorium endivia |
|
(US). endive, chicory (US). Scarola, cicoria scarola (IT), andijvie (NE), escarola (SP),Endivie (DE). Cichorium endivia |
|
|
(US). Gruenkohl (DE); col rizada (SP); cavolo verde riccio (IT). Brassica oleracea var: Scotch Kale. Same basic plant as collard, but leaves are curlier, with harder veins and ribbing, posing a potential danger to lizards swallowing them. See also the ARS database. |
|
|
mache |
See cornsalad |
|
mustard cabbage |
Brown Mustard, Chinese Green, Chinese Mustard, Gai Cai, Gai Choy, India Mustard, Indian Greens, Indian Mustard, Jie Cai, Kaai Tsoi, Karashina, Karasi-Na, Leaf Mustard, Mustard Greens, Sawi-sawi, Sesawi, Takana; cavolo cappuccio (IT). Brassica integrifolia (Other synonyms: B. besseriana, B. japonica, B. juncea, B. juncea var. crispifolia, B. juncea var. integrifolia, B. juncea var. japonica, B. oleracea x nigra, B. willdenowii, Sinapis juncea.) Kal (SE): cabbage Pak choy: Brassica rapa chinensis Curled Mustard: Brassica juncea crispifolia |
|
mustard greens |
(US);.sawi hijau, caisim (IA); foglie di mostarda, senape (IT). Brassica juncea |
|
mustard spinach |
Abura-Na, Birdrape, Canola, Chou, Colza, Ma Chieh, Man Ching, Rape, Rape Mustard, Salgam, Shalgham, Shelem, Turnip[-like], Wu Ching, Yu T'Sai, Yun T'Ai, Wild Turnip. verdura selvatica (IT). See also rapini. Brassica rapa campestris Abura-Na, Birdrape, Canola, Man Ching, Mustard Spinach, Rape, Rape Mustard, Seventop Turnip, Shalgham, Shelem, Turnip, Wu Ching, Yu T'Sai, Yun T'Ai. Brassica rapa Tender green; tendergreen. Brassica rapa perviridis |
|
New Zealand spinach |
Turu-Na; spinacio neozelandese (IT). Tetragonia tetragonoides |
|
Bai Cai, Bok Choy, Chinese Celery Cabbage, Chinese White Cabbage, Chingensai, Loose-headed Chinese Cabb, Mustard Cabbage, Pai Ts'Ai, Pak Choi, Quing Cai, Shakushina, Xiao Bai Cai; cavolo cinese (IT) Brassica rapa chinensis |
|
|
radiccio (radicchio) |
See chicory. |
|
rape |
See rapini |
|
Turnip; Seven-top turnip, Seventop Turnip, Birdrape, Canola, Mustard Spinach, Rape, Rape Mustard. (US); ravizzone, rapa da cima quarantina (IT). Abura-Na, Man Ching, Shalgham, Shelem, Turnip, Wu Ching, Yu T'Sai, Yun T'Ai. Brassica rapa var rapa |
|
|
rocket |
See arugula |
| romaine | (US) Romaine lettuce; lettuce; cos. (Lactuca sativa) |
|
*spinach |
(US). Spinat (DE); spinacio, spinaci (IT); bayam (MA); espinaca (SP). Spinacia oleracea, in the Chenopodiaceae family; relative of beets (Beta vulgaris maritima [sea beet; wild spinach] and Beta vulgaris cicla [beet spinach; spinach beet]). Very high in calcium oxalate so should not be fed. |
|
spring greens |
See collard greens |
|
turnip greens |
(US). Rueben gruen (DE); foglie di rapa (IT). See rapini |
Vegetables
| asparagus | (US); asparago (IT); Asperge (FR); espárrago (SP), Esparrago, Esparraguera, Garden-asparagus, Halyun, Kuskonmaz, Matuba-Udo. Asparagus officinalis |
| aubergine | see eggplant. |
| avocado | (US, IT). aguacate (SP). Persea americana |
|
broccoli |
(US). Brokkoli (DE); broccoletti (IT), brócoli (SP). Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group). See also the ARS database. |
|
broccoli raab |
broccoli raab (B. rapa Ruvo Group - one source). Italian turnip broccoli, nabana, ruvo kale, saishin; rapa italiana (IT). Brassica ruvo |
|
Also cassava, manioc, mandioca, yucca, yuca, yucca root, yuca root, Brazilian arrowroot; manioca fritta, singkong, ubi kayu (IA), tubero per tapioca (IT) See also yucca page. |
|
|
cauliflower |
(US). colifror (SP); cavolfiore (IT). Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group) |
|
courgette |
See zucchini |
| eggplant | (US); aubergine (FR); melanzana (IT), berenjena (SP). Solanum melongena |
|
green beans |
green beans, snap peas, snap beans (US); gruen Bohnen, Brechbonen (DE); haricot verts (FR); fagiolini verdi (IT). Phaseolus vulgaris |
|
leek |
(US). Lauch, Poree (DE); porro (IT), puerro (SP). Allium ampeloprasum |
|
malanga |
(Cuba). [similar to cassava] tanier, tannier, tannia, yautia; manioca (IT). See also yucca page. |
|
mandioca |
(Brazil); manioca; manioca, tubero brasiliano (IT). See malanga. See also yucca page. |
|
marrow |
See zucchini |
|
parsnip |
(US) Celeri Marron, Chirivia , Persil Marron , Pastinaken (DE); pastinaca, tubero di pastinaca (IT), pastinaca, chirivía (SP). Pastinaca sativa |
|
peas |
green peas; edible-podded peas (US). Erbsen (DE); piselli, pisellini verdi (IT), guisantes, chicharos (SP). Pisum sativum |
|
soy; soybean |
(US). soja, semillas de soja (SP); soia, soya, fagiolo di soia (IT). Glycine max |
|
summer squash |
(US) Any soft squash with a very limited shelf-life, such as zucchini. Zucca verde estiva, zucca Chioggia (IT). Curcubita spp. |
| sweet pepper | bell pepper (US); peperone (IT); pimiento dulce (SP), cayenne, paprika, pimento. Capsicum annuum |
|
winter squash |
(US) Any hard squash that stays fresh for months when kept at cool temperatures, such as acorn, butternut, pumpkin (=pompoen (NE), Kuerbis (DE)), kabocha, banana squash, turban, delicata. Zucca, zucca gialla invernale, zucca noce di burro [butternut] (IT). Curcubita maxima. |
|
yuca (yucca) |
See also yucca page |
|
(US). courgette (FR, UK, NE); calabacin (SP); marrow (UK); zucchino, zucchina, zucchine, zucchini (IT). Curcubita pepo |
Fruit
|
apple |
(US). Apfel (DE); appel (NE); mela (IT); manzana (SP). Malus sylvestris domestica; Malus spp. |
| apricot | (US). albicocca (IT), albaricoque (SP). Prunus armeniaca |
|
banana |
(US). Banane (DE); pisang (MA); banaan (NE), plátano (SP). Musa spp. |
|
blueberry |
(US). arandano (SP); mirtillo (IT). Vaccinium spp. |
|
cantaloupe |
(US). (Honing)meloen (NE); melon (SP); Acur, Armenian Cucumber, Bataiaikh, Blewek, Bluwak, Cantaloupe, Common Melon, Gendura, Hsiang Kua, Kalak, Kan Kua, Kua Tzu Jen, Melon, Melons, Qawoon, Shao Kua, T'Ien Kua Ti, Yueh Kua; melone cantalupo di Charentais (IT). Cucumis melo |
|
cherries |
(US). cerezas (SP); ciliegia (IT). Prunus avium |
|
fig |
(US). Feigen (DE); Vijg (NE); fico (IT); Figue France, Figuier, Figuier Blanc, Hanjir, Higo, Higo Verde, Higuera, Ichijiku, Incir Agaci, Injir, Itiziku, Lovea Si Phle, Tin; Ficus carica, F. macrophylla, F. palmata |
|
grape |
(US). Trauben (DE); Druif (NE); uva (IT); anggur (MA); uvas (SP); I'Nab, P'U T'Ao, P'U T'Ao Chiu, Raisin, Roseinekaerne, Tray, Vid, Vigne, Vine, Vite: Vitis vinifera |
|
mango |
(US, DE, NE. SP); pesca brasiliana (IT); mangga, pelam, mempelam (MA) . Mangifera indica |
|
papaya |
(US, NE, SP); papaia (IT); betik (MA). Carica papaya |
|
pear |
(US). Birnen (DE); Poire (FR); Peer (NE); pera (SP); pera (IT). Pyrus communis spp. |
|
prickly pear |
(US). Indian fig; Figuier D'Inde, Hsien Jen Chang, Indian-fig, Nopal, Penca, Barbary Fig, Figue de Barbarie (FR), Pricklypear, Raquette, Tuna, Tuna Cactus: Opuntia compressa. Cactus vrucht (NE), Figuier D'Inde, Hsien Jen Chang, Indian-fig, Nopal, Penca, Prickly Pear, Barbary Fig, Pricklypear, Raquette, Tuna, Tuna Cactus; fico d'India, fico moresco (IT). Opuntia ficus-indica |
|
raspberry |
(US). Himbeeren (DE); framboos (NE); framboise (FR); lampone (IT); frambuesa (SP). Rubus spp. |
|
*rhubarb |
(US). ruibarbo (SP); rabarbaro (IT). Rheum rhabarbarum |
|
*star fruit (starfruit) |
carambola (US); frutto a stella esotico, carambola (IT); belimbing (MA), carambola (SP). Averrhoa carambola L. |
|
strawberry |
(US). Erdbeeren (DE); Aardbei (NE); Fraise (FR); fresa (SP); fragola (IT). Fragaria spp. |
|
watermelon |
(US). Wassermelone (DE); Pastèque (FR); Watermeloen (NE); anguria, cocomero (IT); tembikai (MA); sandía (SP); Han Kua, Hsi Kua, Melon D'Eau, Patilla, Qarbuz, Raggi, Semongka, Shuti, Water Melon, Watermelon, Yang Ch'I Kua; Citrullus lanatus |
Herbs
| *chamomile | (US); camomilla (IT); camomile, manzanilla (SP). Chamaemelum nobile |
|
*cilantro |
Cilantro (US, SP), coriander leaf (US). Koriander (DE); pianta di coriandolo (IT). Coriandrum sativum |
|
*parsley |
common parsley; curled parsley, garden parsley (US). perejil (SP); persil, persil vert (FR); prezzemolo (IT). Petroselinum crispum |
DE = Germany; FR - French; IA - Indonesia; IT - Italian; MA = Malaysia; NE - Netherlands; SE - Sweden; SP - Spanish; US - American English; UK - UK English
MK Salad - An Illustrated Reference
USDA Nutritional Database - look up nutrition data on plant foods
Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database - lists chemical activities in plants ARS has researched
Plants for a Future Database - Additional information on synonyms, edible, medicinal, botanical and ethnobotanical uses
Agricultural Research Service's National Plant Germplasm System and GRIN
Floridata - Descriptions and photos
Henriette's European & Scandinavian Plant Name Database
Asian Vegetables/Greens "Thesaurus"
University of Oregon's Index of Fruits and Vegetables - complete with illustrations of different types, including every squash and green you can imagine
GardenWeb and HortiPlex Database
There are some websites that will translate web documents for you. You may still need to ask some questions, and the translator is likely to stumble over medical and biology terminology (as well as colloquial words like "poop"), but they should give you a good head start. Some online webpage translators include:
AltaVista's
Babelfish
FreeTranslation.com
Intertran
Systran Online Translation
Voycabulary
There are also word translators, such as Foreignword.com, InterTran, and TravLang.
