astilbe
|a-stil-be|
/əˈstɪlbi/
feathery perennial flowering plant
Etymology
'astilbe' originates from New Latin (botanical Latin), specifically from Greek elements 'a-' and 'stilbē', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'stilbē' meant 'to shine'.
'astilbe' was formed in Modern (botanical) Latin from the Greek elements 'a-' + 'stilbē' and was established as the genus name in 19th-century botanical literature.
Initially the Greek components conveyed the idea 'not shining' or 'without brightness', but the compound 'astilbe' later became used as a genus name for the group of feathery-flowered perennial plants and now denotes that plant group.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Saxifragaceae (commonly grown as ornamental garden plants), often called false spirea; plants typically have feathery, plume-like flower panicles.
The shady border was brightened by tall pink astilbe in midsummer.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/06 17:38