phacelia

[ fuh-see-lee-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Phacelia, of the waterleaf family, chiefly of the western U.S. and Mexico, having clusters of violet, blue, or white flowers.

phacelia

/ fəˈsiːlɪə /

any plant of the mostly annual American genus Phacelia, esp P. campanularia, grown for its large, deep blue bell flowers: family Hydrophyllaceae

< New Latin (1789), equivalent to Greek phákel ( os ) bundle (referring to the clustered flowers) + New Latin -ia -ia

New Latin, from Greek phakelos cluster (from the habit of the flowers) + -ia

The name Phacelia is from a Greek word signifying a fascicle, or bunch, and refers to the fascicled or clustered flower-racemes.

It is needless to say that this is not a true heliotrope, but belongs to the closely allied genus, Phacelia.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse