pteris
/ˈtɛrɪs/Botany
noun
Originally: †bracken, Pteridium aquilinum (formerly Pteris aquilina) ( obsolete ). In later use (in form Pteris): a genus of ferns, now comprising largely tropical and subtropical species but formerly including bracken; (also in form pteris) a fern of this genus (also pteris fern).
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species plantarum (1753) II. 1073..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Philemon Holland (1552–1637), translator. From classical Latin pteris, either of two kinds of fern, sometimes identified with male fern and bracken (Pliny; later adopted as genus name: see note below) and its etymon Hellenistic Greek πτέρις male fern (from ancient Greek πτερόν wing + -ις), so called on account of its feathery leaves.