Petasites

noun

Pet·​a·​si·​tes

ˌpetəˈsīt(ˌ)ēz

: a genus of herbs (family Compositae) that are native to temperate and subarctic regions, have thick rootstocks, large basal leaves, and radiate white or purplish flowers, and possess medicinal properties similar to those of the true coltsfoot see butterbur

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek petasitēs, petasitis butterbur, from petasos broad-brimmed hat; probably from the shape of the leaves; akin to Greek petannynai to spread out

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