amsonia

noun

am·​so·​nia

amˈsōnēə,

-nyə

1

capitalized : a genus of herbs (family Apocynaceae) having a milky juice, alternate entire leaves, and showy bluish flowers in terminal cymes, one species (A. tabernaemontana) being common in the southeastern U.S.

2

plural -s : an herb of the genus Amsonia

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from John Amson, flourished 1738–circa 1764 Virginia physician + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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