Fruits are nature’s sweet gift—loved for their flavor, color, and health benefits. From tropical mangoes to temperate apples, fruits are grown and enjoyed across the globe. But with so many local names and regional varieties, identifying a fruit accurately can get confusing. That’s where science steps in.
To bring order to this natural diversity, scientists use a system called scientific nomenclature—a standardized way of naming living things based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships. Rather than using common names that vary from place to place, scientific names give each fruit a unique identity recognized worldwide.
Characteristics of Scientific Nomenclature of Fruits
The scientific naming of fruits is based on taxonomy, the biological system of classification. This method helps group fruits by shared traits and lineage, making it easier for researchers, farmers, and even fruit lovers to study and understand them.
I. Binomial Nomenclature
Each fruit has a two-part scientific name written in Latin. The first word is the genus, which refers to a broader group, while the second is the species, which identifies the exact type. For example, in Mangifera indica, “Mangifera” is the genus for mangoes, and “indica” specifies the species.
II. Hierarchical Classification
Scientific names don’t stand alone—they’re part of a bigger classification ladder that includes:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
This hierarchy helps us understand not just what a fruit is called, but how it relates to others in the plant kingdom.
Scientific Names of Common Fruits (from A to Z)
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Abiu | Pouteria caimito |
| Acai | Euterpe oleracea |
| Acerola | Malpighia emarginata |
| Ackee | Blighia sapida |
| African Cucumber | Cucumis metuliferus |
| African Medlar | Vangueria infausta |
| Akebia | Akebia quinata |
| Almond | Prunus dulcis |
| Amazon Tree Grape | Pourouma cecropiifolia |
| Ambarella | Spondias dulcis |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentata |
| American Pawpaw | Asimina triloba |
| Annona (Sugar Apple) | Annona squamosa |
| Annona Red Israel Fruit | Annona reticulata |
| Apple | Malus domestica |
| Apricot | Prunus armeniaca |
| Araza boi | Eugenia stipitata |
| Ash Gourd | Benincasa hispida |
| Ashwagandha Berry | Withania somnifera |
| Avocado | Persea americana |
| Azarole | Crataegus azarolus |
| Babaco | Carica pentagona |
| Bacaba | Oenocarpus bacaba |
| Bacuri | Platonia insignis |
| Bael | Aegle marmelos |
| Balsam Apple/Bitter Gourd | Momordica charantia |
| Banana | Musa spp. |
| Banyan Fig | Ficus benghalensis |
| Barbadine | Passiflora quadrangularis |
| Barberry | Berberis vulgaris |
| Barhi Date | Phoenix dactylifera |
| Batuan | Garcinia binucao |
| Bayberry | Myrica rubra |
| Bearberry | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
| Beechnut | Fagus sylvatica |
| Bell Apple | Passiflora laurifolia |
| Bengal Currant | Carissa carandas |
| Betel Nut | Areca catechu |
| Bignay | Antidesma bunius |
| Bilberry | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Bilimbi | Averrhoa bilimbi |
| Biriba | Rollinia mucosa |
| Black Apple | Planchonella australis |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina |
| Black Mulberry | Morus nigra |
| Black Sapote | Diospyros digyna |
| Black Walnut | Juglans nigra |
| Blackberry | Rubus fruticosus |
| Blackthorn/Sloe | Prunus spinosa |
| Blood Lime | Citrus australasica × Citrus aurantifolia |
| Blood Orange | Citrus × sinensis |
| Bottle Gourd | Lagenaria siceraria |
| Brazil Nut Fruit | Bertholletia excelsa |
| Brazilian Guava | Psidium cattleianum |
| Brazilian Plum | Spondias purpurea |
| Breadfruit | Artocarpus altilis |
| Brush Cherry | Syzygium australe |
| Buddha’s Hand | Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis |
| Buttercup Fruit | Cochlospermum vitifolium |
| Cacao Pods | Theobroma cacao |
| Caimito/Star Apple | Chrysophyllum cainito |
| Calabash | Crescentia cujete |
| Calamansi | Citrus × microcarpa |
| Camachile | Pithecellobium dulce |
| Camu Camu | Myrciaria dubia |
| Canistel | Pouteria campechiana |
| Cantaloupe | Cucumis melo |
| Cape Gooseberry | Physalis peruviana |
| Capuli Cherry | Prunus serotina subsp. capuli |
| Carambola/Star Fruit | Averrhoa carambola |
| Cardinal Grape | Vitis vinifera ‘Cardinal’ |
| Carissa | Carissa macrocarpa |
| Carob Fruit | Ceratonia siliqua |
| Carolina Allspice | Calycanthus floridus |
| Cashew Apple | Anacardium occidentale |
| Cassabanana | Sicana odorifera |
| Castor Bean Fruit | Ricinus communis |
| Cedar Bay Cherry | Eugenia reinwardtiana |
| Cempedak | Artocarpus integer |
| Ceylon Gooseberry | Dovyalis hebecarpa |
| Charichuelo Fruit | Garcinia madruno |
| Chayote Squash | Sechium edule |
| Cherimoya Fruit | Annona cherimola |
| Cherry | Prunus avium (sweet), Prunus cerasus (sour) |
| Cherry Guava | Psidium cattleyanum |
| Chestnut | Castanea spp. |
| Chilean Guava | Ugni molinae |
| Chinese Lantern | Physalis alkekengi |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana |
| Clementine | Citrus × clementina |
| Cloudberry | Rubus chamaemorus |
| Cluster Fig | Ficus racemosa |
| Coco Plum | Chrysobalanus icaco |
| Coconut | Cocos nucifera |
| Coffee Cherry | Coffea arabica |
| Conkerberry | Carissa spinarum |
| Cornelian Cherry | Cornus mas |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon |
| Crowberry | Empetrum nigrum |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus |
| Cupuacu | Theobroma grandiflorum |
| Damson | Prunus domestica subsp. insititia |
| Dangleberry | Gaylussacia frondosa |
| Dates | Phoenix dactylifera |
| Davidson’s Plum | Davidsonia spp. |
| Dead Man’s Fingers | Decaisnea insignis |
| Desert Lime | Citrus glauca |
| Dewberry | Rubus caesius |
| Dodder Laurel | Cassytha filiformis |
| Double Coconut | Lodoicea maldivica |
| Dovyalis | Dovyalis caffra |
| Dragon Fruit | Hylocereus undatus (white), H. costaricensis (red) |
| Duku | Lansium domesticum |
| Durian | Durio zibethinus |
| Eggplant | Solanum melongena |
| Elderberry | Sambucus nigra |
| Elephant Apple | Dillenia indica |
| Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) | Phyllanthus emblica |
| Ephedra | Ephedra sinica |
| Fairchild Tangerine | Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis |
| False Mastic | Sideroxylon foetidissimum |
| Fe’i Banana | Musa × troglodytarum |
| Feijoa | Acca sellowiana |
| Fibrous Satinash Fruit | Syzygium fibrosum |
| Fig | Ficus carica |
| Finger Lime | Citrus australasica |
| Flatwoods Plum | Prunus umbellata |
| Florida Cherry | Eugenia uniflora |
| Fukushu Kumquat | Citrus japonica ‘Fukushu’ |
| Gabiroba | Campomanesia xanthocarpa |
| Gac Fruit | Momordica cochinchinensis |
| Gamboge | Garcinia hanburyi |
| Ganitrus | Aegle marmelos (sometimes debated) |
| Garcinia | Garcinia spp. |
| Gaya Melon | Cucumis melo ‘Gaya’ |
| Genip (Spanish Lime) | Melicoccus bijugatus |
| Genipa Fruit | Genipa americana |
| Giant Granadilla | Passiflora quadrangularis |
| Ginkgo Nut | Ginkgo biloba |
| Goji Berry | Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense |
| Gooseberry | Ribes uva-crispa |
| Governor’s Plum | Flacourtia indica |
| Granadilla | Passiflora ligularis |
| Grape | Vitis vinifera |
| Greengage Plum | Prunus domestica subsp. italica |
| Grumichama | Eugenia brasiliensis |
| Guama | Inga edulis |
| Guarana | Paullinia cupana |
| Guava | Psidium guajava |
| Gumbo Limbo Fruit | Bursera simaruba |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis |
| Hairless Rambutan | Nephelium xerospermoides |
| Hala Fruit | Pandanus tectorius |
| Halesia Fruit | Halesia carolina |
| Haritaki | Terminalia chebula |
| Hawthorn Berry | Crataegus monogyna |
| Hazelnut Fruit | Corylus avellana |
| Hercules Club Fruit | Zanthoxylum clava-herculis |
| Hog Plum | Spondias mombin |
| Honey Locust Pod | Gleditsia triacanthos |
| Honeydew Melon | Cucumis melo |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus |
| Horned Melon | Cucumis metuliferus |
| Hottentot Fig | Carpobrotus edulis |
| Huckleberry | Vaccinium spp. |
| Huito Berry | Genipa americana |
| Hura Crepitans Fruit | Hura crepitans |
| Hyuganatsu | Citrus tamurana |
| Ice Apple | Borassus flabellifer |
| Ice Cream Bean | Inga edulis |
| Ichang Lemon | Citrus ichangensis |
| Ilama | Annona diversifolia |
| Illawarra Plum | Podocarpus elatus |
| Ita Palm Fruit | Mauritia flexuosa |
| Italian Prune | Prunus domestica |
| Ivy Gourd | Coccinia grandis |
| Jabuticaba | Plinia cauliflora |
| Jackfruit | Artocarpus heterophyllus |
| Jamun | Syzygium cumini |
| Jatoba | Hymenaea courbaril |
| Jatropa Fruit | Jatropha curcas |
| Java Apple | Syzygium samarangense |
| Jelly Palm | Butia capitata |
| Jerusalem Cherry | Solanum pseudocapsicum |
| Jocote | Spondias purpurea |
| Jostaberry | Ribes × nidigrolaria |
| Jujube | Ziziphus jujuba |
| Jungle Jalebi | Pithecellobium dulce |
| Juniper berry | Juniperus communis |
| Kabosu | Citrus sphaerocarpa |
| Kaffir Lime | Citrus hystrix |
| Kahikatea Berry | Dacrycarpus dacrydioides |
| Kakadu Plum | Terminalia ferdinandiana |
| Kalimantan Mango | Mangifera casturi |
| Kalpi | Citrus × webberii |
| Kamias | Averrhoa bilimbi |
| Kandis | Garcinia xanthochymus |
| Kangaroo Apple | Solanum laciniatum |
| Kapok Fruit | Ceiba pentandra |
| Karanda/Karonda | Carissa carandas |
| Karit Fruit | Cucumis melo var. momordica |
| Karkade Fruit | Hibiscus sabdariffa |
| Kei Apple | Dovyalis caffra |
| Kepel Fruit | Stelechocarpus burahol |
| Keule | Gomortega keule |
| Key Lime | Citrus aurantiifolia |
| Kharbuja | Cucumis melo |
| Kiwi | Actinidia deliciosa |
| Knobby Russet Apple | Malus domestica |
| Kokum | Garcinia indica |
| Korean Melon | Cucumis melo var. makuwa |
| Korlan | Nephelium hypoleucum |
| Kumquat | Citrus japonica |
| Kurrajong Pod | Brachychiton populneus |
| Lablab Pod | Lablab purpureus |
| Lakoocha (Monkey Fruit) | Artocarpus lakoocha |
| Langsat/Lanzones | Lansium parasiticum |
| Lardizabala Fruit | Lardizabala biternata |
| Lemon | Citrus limon |
| Lemon Aspen | Acronychia acidula |
| Lemon Drop Melon | Cucumis melo |
| Lemon Guava | Psidium littorale |
| Lotus Fruit | Nelumbo nucifera |
| Lucuma | Pouteria lucuma |
| Lychee | Litchi chinensis |
| Mabolo | Diospyros blancoi |
| Macadamia | Macadamia integrifolia |
| Madrono | Garcinia madruno |
| Mahua | Madhuca longifolia |
| Mamey Apple | Mammea americana |
| Mamey Sapote | Pouteria sapota |
| Mamoncillo | Melicoccus bijugatus |
| Mandarin | Citrus reticulata |
| Mango | Mangifera indica |
| Mangosteen | Garcinia mangostana |
| Manila Tamarind | Pithecellobium dulce |
| Manilkara | Manilkara zapota |
| Manjack | Cordia dichotoma |
| Manoao Fruit | Manoao colensoi |
| Manzanita Berry | Arctostaphylos spp. |
| Maprang | Bouea macrophylla |
| Marang | Artocarpus odoratissimus |
| Marble Berry | Pollia condensata |
| Marula | Sclerocarya birrea |
| Mayhaw | Crataegus aestivalis |
| Medlar | Mespilus germanica |
| Melinjo | Gnetum gnemon |
| Melon | Cucumis melo |
| Melothria | Melothria scabra |
| Meyer Lemon | Citrus × meyeri |
| Midyim Berry | Austromyrtus dulcis |
| Mirabelle Plum | Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca |
| Miracle Berry | Synsepalum dulcificum |
| Monkey Jack | Artocarpus lakoocha |
| Monstera Deliciosa | Monstera deliciosa |
| Morinda Fruit | Morinda citrifolia |
| Mulberry | Morus spp. |
| Muntingia | Muntingia calabura |
| Myrica | Myrica rubra |
| Nance | Byrsonima crassifolia |
| Naranjilla | Solanum quitoense |
| Natal Plum | Carissa macrocarpa |
| Nectacot | Prunus persica × Prunus armeniaca |
| Nectarine | Prunus persica var. nucipersica |
| Neem Fruit | Azadirachta indica |
| Nere Fruit | Parkia biglobosa |
| New Zealand Flax Pod | Phormium tenax |
| Nipa Palm Fruit | Nypa fruticans |
| Nipplefruit | Solanum mammosum |
| Nishimura Wase Persimmon | Diospyros kaki |
| Nocera Grape | Vitis vinifera ‘Nocera’ |
| Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans |
| Nyamplung | Calophyllum inophyllum |
| Ogbono | Irvingia gabonensis |
| Ogeechee Lime | Nyssa ogeche |
| Oil Palm Fruit | Elaeis guineensis |
| Okari Nut | Terminalia kaernbachii |
| Olive | Olea europaea |
| Omphalocarpum | Omphalocarpum elatum |
| Ooray | Davidsonia pruriens |
| Opuntia | Opuntia spp. |
| Orange | Citrus × sinensis |
| Orangequat | Citrus × aurantium × Fortunella spp. |
| Oroblanco | Citrus grandis × Citrus paradisi |
| Osage Orange | Maclura pomifera |
| Osoberry | Oemleria cerasiformis |
| Otaheite Apple | Syzygium malaccense |
| Pachira Aquatica | Pachira aquatica |
| Pagoda Tree Pod | Styphnolobium japonicum |
| Palmyra Fruit | Borassus flabellifer |
| Pancratium Fruit | Pancratium maritimum |
| Papaya | Carica papaya |
| Paradise Nut | Lecythis zabucajo |
| Partridgeberry | Mitchella repens |
| Passion Fruit | Passiflora edulis |
| Peach | Prunus persica |
| Pear | Pyrus communis |
| Pequi | Caryocar brasiliense |
| Persimmon | Diospyros kaki |
| Phalsa | Grewia asiatica |
| Pineapple | Ananas comosus |
| Pineberry | Fragaria × ananassa (white cultivar) |
| Pitanga | Eugenia uniflora |
| Plum Granny | Cucumis melo var. dudaim |
| Pomegranate | Punica granatum |
| Pomelo | Citrus maxima |
| Porcelain Berry | Ampelopsis brevipedunculata |
| Porcupine Tomato | Solanum pyracanthos |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata |
| Prunus mume | Prunus mume |
| Pulasan | Nephelium ramboutan-ake |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbita pepo |
| Putka Pods | Glochidion ferdinandi (tentative) |
| Quandong | Santalum acuminatum |
| Quenepa | Melicoccus bijugatus |
| Quince | Cydonia oblonga |
| Rambai | Baccaurea motleyana |
| Rambutan | Nephelium lappaceum |
| Raspberry | Rubus idaeus |
| Red Durian | Durio dulcis |
| Red Mombin | Spondias purpurea |
| Riberry | Syzygium luehmannii |
| Rollinia | Rollinia deliciosa |
| Rose Myrtle Berry | Rhodomyrtus tomentosa |
| Rowan Berry | Sorbus aucuparia |
| Russet Apple | Malus domestica (variety: Russet) |
| Safou | Dacryodes edulis |
| Saigon Mango | Mangifera indica (variety) |
| Salacca / Salak | Salacca zalacca |
| Salmonberry | Rubus spectabilis |
| Santol | Sandoricum koetjape |
| Sapodilla | Manilkara zapota |
| Sapote | Pouteria sapota |
| Satsuma | Citrus unshiu |
| Sea Buckthorn | Hippophae rhamnoides |
| Sea Grapes | Caulerpa lentillifera |
| Shaddock | Citrus maxima |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata |
| Shell Ginger Fruit | Alpinia zerumbet |
| Shepherdia | Shepherdia argentea |
| Shipova | × Sorbopyrus auricularis |
| Silverberry | Elaeagnus commutata or Elaeagnus multiflora |
| Sineguelas | Spondias purpurea (local name) |
| Soursop | Annona muricata |
| Spine Gourd | Momordica dioica |
| Strawberry | Fragaria × ananassa |
| Sudachi | Citrus sudachi |
| Tamarillo | Solanum betaceum |
| Tamarind | Tamarindus indica |
| Tamarind Plum | Dialium indum |
| Tayberry | Rubus fruticosus × Rubus idaeus |
| Teasel Gourd (Kantola) | Momordica dioica |
| Tendu / Kendu | Diospyros melanoxylon |
| Thorn Apple | Datura stramonium |
| Tickberry | Lantana involucrata |
| Tiger Melon | Cucumis melo (var. tiger melon) |
| Tiger Nut | Cyperus esculentus |
| Timbó Fruit | Duguetia furfuracea |
| Tinda | Praecitrullus fistulosus |
| Tinda (Indian Round Gourd) | Praecitrullus fistulosus |
| Tomato | Solanum lycopersicum |
| Torreya Nut | Torreya nucifera |
| Toyon | Heteromeles arbutifolia |
| Tundra Haskap | Lonicera caerulea var. edulis |
| Ugli Fruit | Citrus reticulata × Citrus paradisi |
| Ugniberry (Chilean Guava) | Ugni molinae |
| Uvilla (Colombian Gooseberry) | Physalis peruviana |
| Vanilla Fruit | Vanilla planifolia |
| Velvet Apple | Diospyros blancoi |
| Velvet Tamarind | Dialium guineense |
| Walnut | Juglans regia |
| Wampee | Clausena lansium |
| Watermelon | Citrullus lanatus |
| Wax Gourd | Benincasa hispida |
| Wild Cucumber | Echinocystis lobata |
| Wild Strawberry Tree Fruit (Arbutus unedo) | Arbutus unedo |
| Wild/False Pineapple | Bromelia pinguin |
| Yangmei / Barth Fruit | Myrica rubra |
| Yantok Fruit | Calamus manan |
| Zhi Zi Fruit | Gardenia jasminoides |
| Zig Zag Vine / Pitangas (Surinam Cherry) | Eugenia uniflora |
| Zucchini Fruit | Cucurbita pepo |
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