Daphnaceous
/ˌdæfnˈeɪʃəs/noun
Relating to or resembling plants of the genus Daphne, especially shrubs in the family Thymelaeaceae.
Did you know?The genus Daphne honors the Greek nymph Daphne, whose name became associated with the laurel after she was transformed into one in Ovid’s telling of the myth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
δάφνη (dáphnē)
“Laurel or bay tree”
Classical Latin
Latin
daphne
“Laurel; also a name borrowed from Greek mythology”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
Daphne
“A plant genus named for the Greek term and mythic Daphne”
18th–19th Century
Scientific English
Daphnaceous
“Pertaining to or resembling the genus Daphne”
Modern English
English
daphnaceous
“Botanical adjective describing Daphne plants or their characteristics”