conyza
/kəˈnʌɪzə/noun
Originally: any of several herbaceous plants now usually placed in the genus Inula or Dittrichia (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), especially ploughman's spikenard, Inula conyzae, formerly used, mainly in dried form, to repel insects. In later use: any plant of or formerly included in the genus Conyza (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), comprising strong-smelling herbaceous or shrubby plants native to warm and temperate habitats worldwide, some of which are considered noxious weeds of cultivated land; (also, in form Conyza) the genus itself.
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species plantarum (1753) II. 861.Linnaeus's genus was more inclusive than its modern counterpart, which is restricted chiefly to New World species. Following several revisions, many of its former members have been reclassified in other genera such as Inula, Erigeron, and Dittrichia..
Origin
Old English; earliest use found in Pseudo-Apuleius' Herbarium. From classical Latin conyza strong-smelling composite plant, applied to Inula viscosa and Inula graveolens (Pliny) from ancient Greek κονύζα, of unknown origin; the ending is seen in other plant names, e.g. ancient Greek μώλυζα garlic (also Byzantine Greek μάνυζα garlic), Hellenistic Greek ὄρυζα.