caryophyllaceous

[kar-ee-oh-fuh-ley-shuhs]

adjective

1. belonging to the Caryophyllaceae, the pink family of plants.

caryophyllaceous

/ ˌkærɪəʊfɪˈleɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Caryophyllaceae, a family of flowering plants including the pink, carnation, sweet william, and chickweed

Word History and Origins

Origin of caryophyllaceous¹

1825–35; < New Latin Caryophyllace ( ae ) the family ( Caryophyll ( us ) a genus < Greek karyóphyllon clove tree ( caryo-, -phyll ) + -aceae ) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of caryophyllaceous¹

C19: from New Latin Caryophyllāceae, from Caryophyllus former type genus, from Greek karuophullon clove tree, from karuon nut + phullon leaf

Example Sentences

Silene.—Pretty caryophyllaceous plants, preferring sandy loam, and well adapted for rockwork.

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Flow′ery, full of, or adorned with, flowers: highly embellished, florid.—Flower of Jove, a caryophyllaceous plant, with heads of purple or scarlet flowers, and leaves silky-white with hairs.

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Corsica is said to be famous for its orchids, verbenas, and cotyledinous and caryophyllaceous plants; but I only speak of what I saw, and these were out of season.

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Lychnis.—Brilliant erect-growing caryophyllaceous plants, thriving best in beds of peat earth or of deep sandy loam.

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