Ageratum

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ageratum

Ageratum (pronounced: /əˈdʒɛrətəm/), also known as Flossflower, is a genus of 40 to 60 tropical and warm temperate flowering annuals and perennials from the family Asteraceae, native to Central America, Mexico, and the United States. The name Ageratum is derived from the Greek ageratos meaning 'ageless', in reference to the longevity of the flowers.

Description

Ageratum plants are characterized by their compact, bushy growth and their small, fluffy, blue, pink, or white flowers. The leaves are opposite, cordate, and downy. The flowers are borne in dense corymbs. The ray flowers are threadlike and fluff-textured, leading to the common name, Flossflower.

Cultivation and Uses

Ageratum is commonly grown in gardens for its attractive flowers and beneficial properties. It is often used in butterfly gardens, as it is a favorite nectar source for many species of butterflies. Some species of Ageratum are also used in traditional medicine for their supposed healing properties.

Species

There are several species of Ageratum, including Ageratum houstonianum, Ageratum conyzoides, and Ageratum littorale. Ageratum houstonianum, also known as Flossflower, is the most commonly cultivated species and is often used in bedding.

Etymology

The genus name Ageratum is derived from the Greek ageratos or 'ageless', which refers to the long-lasting nature of the flowers. The specific epithet houstonianum is in honor of William Houston, a Scottish surgeon and botanist.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski