Ficaria

/fɪˈkɛəriə/ noun

Definition

A genus of plants also known as lesser celandine, with small yellow flowers and bulblet-bearing leaves.

Etymology

From Latin 'ficus' (fig) because the plant's root tubers resembled figs, with scientific suffix '-aria' added to create the genus name.

Kelly Says

Lesser celandine got the scientific name 'ficaria' because ancient people thought its bumpy roots looked like figs, but it's actually unrelated to fig trees—a case of mistaken plant identity that stuck!

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