Inula

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A flowering plant of the daisy family, characterized by its large yellow or white flowers that often grow in clusters
2. A perennial herb that is commonly found in grassy areas and is recognized for its distinctively shaped leaves and aromatic properties
3. An edible plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, valued for its medicinal qualities and ornamental use in gardens

Etymology: Inula is the Latin name for elecampane, a tall yellow-flowered plant of the daisy family, and English took the word straight from that Latin source. The plant had been prized in classical and medieval medicine, and its name was used for the genus that now includes it and related species. The most surprising link is the second name, elecampane, which is a different English word for the same plant. The two names are not related by descent in the way one might expect: elecampane came into English from a medieval Latin form, "enula campana", and the "campana" part is often explained by the plant's habit of growing in open fields. Inula and elecampane therefore sit side by side in English as two routes to one Latin plant name.

Synonyms: elecampane