ageratum

American  

[aj-uh-rey-tuhm, uh-jer-uh-] / ˌædʒ əˈreɪ təm, əˈdʒɛr ə- /

noun

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Ageratum, especially A. houstonianum, having heart-shaped leaves and small, dense, blue, lavender, or white flower heads, often grown in gardens.

2. any of various other composite plants, as the mistflower, having blue or white flowers.

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ageratum British  

/ ˌædʒəˈreɪtəm /

noun

1. any tropical American plant of the genus Ageratum, such as A. houstonianum and A. conyzoides, which have thick clusters of purplish-blue flowers

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Etymology

Origin of ageratum

1560–70; < New Latin; Latin agēraton < Greek agḗraton, neuter of agḗratos unaging, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + gērat- (stem of gêras ) old age + -os adj. suffix

Example Sentences

Taking a different approach, Entomologist William Bowers, of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, has isolated two substances from ageratum, a flowering plant, that interfere with an insect's production of juvenile hormones.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some familiar examples of hardy annuals are sweet alyssum, ageratum, calendula, calliopsis, candytuft, Centaurea Cyanus, clarkia, larkspur, gilia, California poppy, morning-glory, marigold, mignonette, nemophila, pansy, phlox, pinks, poppies, portulaca, zinnia, sweet pea, scabiosa.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)

The soft blue tufts of the ageratum were on each side continually.

From Bonaventure A Prose Pastoral of Acadian Louisiana by Cable, George Washington

Along the walks ageratum was planted in the following manner to serve as a border.

From The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. by Shaw, Ellen Eddy

Often one sees a border of ageratum about such a one.

From The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. by Shaw, Ellen Eddy