Dracocephalum

/ˌdræk.oʊ.ˈsef.ə.ləm/ noun

Definition

A genus of aromatic flowering plants in the mint family, with flower heads that resemble a dragon's head.

Etymology

From Greek drako (dragon) and kephalē (head), literally meaning 'dragon head.' The scientific genus name was assigned because the flowers' shape and structure reminded botanists of a dragon's head in profile, particularly the hooded flowers.

Kelly Says

Ancient botanists had such vivid imaginations—they looked at a small mint plant with clustered purple flowers and saw a dragon's head so clearly they named an entire plant family after it, and the name stuck for 400 years!

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