Japonica
/dʒəˈpɒnɪkə/noun
A plant of the genus Camellia, especially the ornamental Japanese camellia.
Did you know?Japonica is a botanical Latin form built from the late Latin name for Japan, so the “mystique” is historical rather than magical: it’s a scientific label that preserved a place-name as a plant name.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
Japonicus
“Of or from Japan”
16th Century
Portuguese
Japão
“Japan”
16th Century
English
Japan
“The island nation in East Asia”
18th Century
Latin
Japonica
“A feminine botanical form meaning 'Japanese' or 'of Japan'”
Modern English
English
japonica
“A camellia or other plant variety associated with Japan”