sarcocolla

noun

sar·​co·​col·​la
ˌsärkəˈkälə
1
capitalized : a small genus of shrubs (family Penaeaceae) native to southern Africa and having axillary or spicate red flowers with a long perianth tube and four reflexed lobes
2
plural -s : a gummy exudate believed to be obtained from either of two shrubs of the genus Penaea (P. mucronata and P. sarcocolla) but also held to be obtained from either of two milk vetches (Astragalus fasiculifolius and A. sarcocolla) and occurring in small yellowish or brownish red grains with a bittersweet and acrid taste

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, gum of the milk vetch (Astragalus fasiculifolius), from Greek sarkokolla, from sark- sarc- + kolla gum

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Cite this Entry

“Sarcocolla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcocolla. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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