parthenium
/pɑːˈθiːnɪəm/ /pɑːˈθɛnɪəm/noun
In form Parthenium: a genus of herbs and shrubs of the family Asteraceae (Compositae), native to North America and the West Indies and having alternate, usually aromatic leaves and white or yellowish flowers with inconspicuous ray florets; (also parthenium) a plant of this genus, especially (more fully parthenium ragweed, parthenium weed, ragweed parthenium) Parthenium hysterophorus, an invasive weed which may cause a severe contact dermatitis in allergic individuals. Also: †a medicinal preparation of this plant or of Parthenium integrifolium, used as an antipyretic, especially in the treatment of malaria ( obsolete ).
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species Plantarum (1753) II. 988..
Origin
Mid 16th century (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin parthenium, any of several plants, probably including feverfew from ancient Greek παρθένιον feverfew from παρθένος girl, virgin + -ιον, suffix forming nouns.