Rubia
|Ru-bi-a|
C2
/ˈruː.bi.ə/
red dye plant genus
Etymology
Etymology Information
'Rubia' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'rubia', where 'ruber' meant 'red'.
Historical Evolution
'Rubia' was adopted directly from Latin into scientific botanical nomenclature and has remained unchanged as the genus name.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'red' or 'reddish plant', and over time it became the scientific name for the genus of plants known for producing red dye.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, known for species such as madder (Rubia tinctorum), which is used as a source of red dye.
Rubia tinctorum has been cultivated for its roots, which produce a red dye.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/31 02:17