Conoclinium

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of flowering plants known for their small, fluffy, and typically blue or purple blossoms often found in North American woodlands
2. A group of herbaceous plants recognized by their distinctive tufted flower heads resembling small powder puffs and commonly used in wildflower gardens
3. A type of perennial plant characterized by clusters of bright, tufted inflorescences that attract pollinators and are native to certain temperate regions

Etymology: The name is a Greek compound. "Konos" meant "cone" and "klinē" meant "couch" or "bed," so the genus name joins the two in a botanical description that points to the shape of the flower head. Botanists formed it from classical roots to label a plant that had no ancient Greek name. The genus belongs to the daisy family and includes perennial herbs often called mistflowers, after their clusters of small, soft, bluish or lavender blooms. The best-known species, "Conoclinium coelestinum," is native to eastern North America and is valued in gardens for attracting butterflies in late summer. The genus name, not the common name, is what keeps the old Greek vocabulary visible in modern plant catalogues.

Synonyms: mistflower