gilian.
/ˈdʒɪlɪə/, U.S. /ˈdʒɪliə/ Botany.
Any of numerous plants of the genus Gilia or related genera of the phlox family Polemoniaceae, which are chiefly low-growing herbs of desert habitats in North and South America, and are cultivated as ornamentals for their flowers. Frequently with distinguishing word. Also (in form Gilia): the genus itself.
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1829 Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15 Pl. 1281 With regard to its genus, it has been referred by Linnæus to Polemonium, by Willdenow to Cantua, by Persoon..to Gilia, and by Michaux to a particular genus called Ipomopsis.
1834 Floricultural Cabinet Feb. 47 Gilia aggregata, Tufted-flowered Gilia.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 333/1 The genera Collomia, Phlox, Leptosiphon, Gilia, and Polemonium are common objects of cultivation, on account of their beauty.
1877 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 404/1 I believe there is no shade of red..which you may not see in one half acre where gilias grow.
1901 J. Muir Our National Parks 6 Their plant treasures are passing away,—the delicate abronias, phloxes, gilias, etc. Only a few of the bitter, unbitable shrubs are left.
1969 Ecology 50 1108/1 Work was initiated during attempts to learn about the pollination mechanisms of the scarlet gilias, one or more species of Ipomopsis.
1992 Daily Herald (Chicago) 22 Mar. iv. 4/3 Gilia is a fragile and whimsical little flower.
2016 Ruidoso (New Mexico) News (Nexis) 2 Sept. ‘Here's skyrocket gilia!’ ‘And bluebells, my favorites!’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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