Jeffersonia
|Jef-fer-so-ni-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌdʒɛfərˈsoʊniə/
🇬🇧
/ˌdʒɛfəˈsəʊnɪə/
plant genus named after Jefferson
Etymology
'Jeffersonia' originates from Neo-Latin (botanical Latin), specifically formed from the surname 'Jefferson' with the Latin feminine suffix '-ia', honoring Thomas Jefferson.
'Jeffersonia' was coined in botanical Latin in the 19th century as a taxonomic genus name and has been used in that form in modern botanical literature.
Initially it meant 'a genus named after Jefferson'; over time it retained that commemorative meaning and became firmly established to denote the particular woodland-flowering plants now placed in that genus.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small genus of perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Berberidaceae, native to eastern North America and parts of East Asia; noted for spring-blooming, paired leaves and white flowers.
Jeffersonia is a woodland genus best known for its showy spring flowers.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically, the species Jeffersonia diphylla (commonly called twinleaf) — a single species within the genus often referred to by the genus name.
The twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) grows in rich, shady woodlands.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/12 18:40