[throwaway2506i7]

Same here. I am not a native speaker, but it seems like a relatively uncommon word. Maybe that's why we both read something else

[jfengel]

It's technical jargon. Scientists used speak a mishmash of Greek and Latin, since those were common among educated people. That hung on for longer than was realistic, but it became a kind of slang for group recognition.

This department was named in the 1880s. They probably would just call it the Apple Department today, though I admit I still like the tone that sort-of-Greek-or-Latin rings.