Formal plant classification is a hierarchical system with many levels, but the most important of those levels for gardeners, the one we use every day, is the genus (plural genera). Genera are basically distinct, recognisable kinds of plant, and in many cases the genus name is also the common name. Whenever you talk about rhododendron, iris, crocus, wisteria, camellia and penstemon, for example, you’re using Botanical Latin names of genera. All they need to become Botanical Latin, which by the way also includes a fair bit of Greek, is italicising and a capital letter, for example Rhododendron.
The only other two levels of the botanical hierarchy that gardeners normally need are the next one up (family), and the next one down (species). The rule is that family names are always…