Orpines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of succulent plant known for its fleshy leaves and ability to thrive in rocky environments
2. Often associated with shade gardens, these plants produce small flowers and have medicinal uses in some cultures
3. Valued for their ornamental qualities, orpines can be attractive ground cover in dry landscapes

Etymology: Orpine is a plant, and its name is a loan from the pigment world. Old French "orpin" came from "orpiment," which in turn came from Latin "auripigmentum," built from "aurum," meaning gold, and "pigmentum," meaning pigment. The mineral orpiment is a bright yellow arsenic sulphide, so the name literally meant "gold pigment." The plant took its name from that colour rather than from any link to the mineral itself. Its flowers are yellowish, and the name passed from the golden paint to the golden-flowered plant. The word "orpines" is simply the plural form, used when referring to more than one of these plants.