Apios
/ˈeɪ.pi.əs/noun
A genus of flowering vines in the pea family, including the edible groundnut or potato bean.
Did you know?The name Apios comes from Ancient Greek ἄπιος, meaning “pear,” likely referring to the pear-like shape of the plant’s underground tubers.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄπιος (ápios)
“Pear or pear tree”
Classical Latin
Latin
apios
“A botanical name associated with the Greek word for pear”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
Apios
“A genus name formed from the Greek term for pear”
1753
Botanical Latin
Apios
“The genus formally established by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum”
Modern English
English
Apios
“A genus of twining legumes, commonly including groundnut or potato bean”