Pachysandra

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A ground cover perennial characterized by lush, glossy foliage that grows well in shaded environments and is commonly chosen for its soil-stabilizing properties
2. This evergreen plant is sought after for its thick, shiny leaves and is favorable in gardens for erosion prevention and aesthetic appeal
3. A perennial shrub that spreads across the ground with dense, evergreen foliage suited to shady gardens

Etymology: Pachysandra is a plant name, not a word that grew out of everyday speech. It was coined in New Latin as the name of a genus, and its first half comes from the Ancient Greek "pakhús", meaning "thick" or "stout". The second half, "-andra", draws on the Greek "anḗr" (genitive "andrós"), meaning "man", but in botanical Latin the element refers to stamens, the male reproductive parts of a flower, so the name reads roughly as "thick-stamened". The name fits the plant. Pachysandra is a low, spreading evergreen ground cover, and its flowers have thick, prominent stamens, which is what gave the genus its label. The Greek element "pachy-" is the same one found in English words like "pachyderm", meaning "thick-skinned", which points to the same idea of sturdiness.