Cimicaria
/ˌsɪmɪˈkɛəriə/noun
A historical botanical genus name for plants commonly known as bugbanes, now generally included in Actaea.
Did you know?The name reflects the traditional belief that these strongly scented plants could repel insects, although “Cimicaria” is now mainly a historical taxonomic name.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kem-
“A proposed ancient root associated with insects or small biting creatures; the deeper origin of Latin cimex is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cimex, cimicis
“A bug, especially a bedbug.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cimicarius
“Of or relating to bugs; bug-like.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
cimicaria
“The feminine form of cimicarius, literally “bug-related” or “bug plant” when used botanically.”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
Cimicaria
“A genus name applied to bugbane-type plants in formal botanical classification.”
Modern English
English
Cimicaria
“A historical or taxonomic name associated with bugbanes, usually treated within the genus Actaea.”