'amianthium' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'amiantos,' where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'miantos' meant 'polluted.'

'amianthium' changed from the Greek word 'amiantos' and eventually became the modern English word 'amianthium'.

Initially, it meant 'not polluted,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a genus of plants.