aeonium

noun

ae·​o·​ni·​um ē-ˈō-nē-əm 

-nyəm

plural aeoniums

: any of a genus (Aeonium of the family Crassulaceae, the orpine family) of evergreen, succulent herbs and shrubs that are native to northern Africa and nearby islands (such as the Canary and Madeira Islands) and are cultivated as ornamentals especially for their showy, terminal rosettes of fleshy leaves

Next to it was a forest of aeoniums—those fleshy rosettes of reddish green petals—rising on thick stems toward the light.

—Anne Raver, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2008

Note: Aeoniums bear clusters of small, star-shaped flowers on a stem that emerges from the center of the leaf rosette.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek aiṓnion, neuter of aiṓnios "lasting an age, perpetual," derivative of aiṓn aeon

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!