Curuminaca

/ˌkuːruːmɪˈnɑːkə/ noun

Definition

A plant or natural product from indigenous South American traditions, with uncertain botanical classification.

Etymology

From South American indigenous languages, possibly combining roots meaning 'plant' or 'remedy.' The -aca suffix appears in several indigenous plant names.

Kelly Says

Scientific names from indigenous sources often got scrambled during colonization—plant collectors would hear a name in a native language and spell it phonetically, creating confusion!

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