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helianthus

[hee-lee-an-thuh s]
noun, plural he·li·an·thus·es.
  1. any composite plant of the genus Helianthus, comprising the sunflowers.

Origin of helianthus

From New Latin, dating back to 1770–80; see origin at heli-1, -anthous
Related formshe·li·an·tha·ceous [hee-lee-uh n-they-shuh s] /ˌhi li ənˈθeɪ ʃəs/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for helianthus

Historical Examples of helianthus

  • There are many kinds of Helianthus, natives of the New World.

  • The eggs are laid in clusters upon the leaves of Helianthus.

    The Butterfly Book

    William Jacob Holland

  • The Sunflower, Helianthus, is supposed to emit gases that destroy miasma.

  • The tall stalks of the helianthus bend and rise in long undulations, like billows on a golden sea.

  • There was about an acre of clear ground, covered with grass and flowers, among which helianthus and blue lupines were conspicuous.

    The Boy Hunters

    Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for helianthus

helianthus

noun plural -thuses
  1. any plant of the genus Helianthus, such as the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke, typically having large yellow daisy-like flowers with yellow, brown, or purple centres: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word Origin for helianthus

C18: New Latin, from Greek hēlios sun + anthos flower
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012