Ceanothus

/siːəˈnoʊθəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of shrubs and trees native to North America, known for their beautiful blue or white clustered flowers.

Etymology

From Greek 'keanothos,' possibly derived from an ancient Mediterranean plant name, mistakenly applied by Linnaeus to these American species.

Kelly Says

Ceanothus is a naming disaster—Linnaeus borrowed a Greek plant name that probably referred to something completely different, and it stuck, showing how scientific names can have questionable origins.

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