Craccus

/ˈkræk.əs/ noun

Definition

An obsolete or dialectal variant of cracca; a medieval term for a type of wild pea or vetchling plant.

Etymology

Likely a Latinized variant of 'cracca' (Latin plant name), with the '-us' masculine suffix characteristic of Latin botanical nomenclature.

Kelly Says

Scientific names are fossils of different languages—craccus is Latin, but the root is unknown, showing how modern botanical naming inherited mysteries from medieval herbalists who documented plants without understanding their origins.

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