Chamaecrista

noun

Cham·​ae·​cris·​ta
in some classifications
: a genus of herbs or low shrubs characterized by sensitive leaves and suddenly and forcibly dehiscing pods, now included in the genus Cassia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from chamae- + crista (from crista pavonis, literally, peacock's crest, the pre-Linnaean name of a certain plant of the family Leguminosae)

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Cite this Entry

“Chamaecrista.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chamaecrista. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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