ageratum

[ aj-uh-rey-tuhm, uh-jer-uh- ]

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.

ageratum

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ageratum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ageratum¹

C16: New Latin, via Latin from Greek agēraton that which does not age, from a- ¹+ gērat-, stem of gēras old age; the flowers of the plant remain vivid for a long time

Example Sentences

There were new flowers planted, too, among them gomphrena, ageratum, pansies and cosmos.

From New York Times

They learned that cosmos must be picked in bud, ageratum is less delicate than bachelor’s buttons, and the sappy, sticky calendulas stems should be booted from their bouquets.

From Washington Times

There is the red, white and blue table with blue and white ageratum and red and white vinca.

From Washington Times

But our gardens owe to this family innumerable beautiful and showy plants such as the China aster, the chrysanthemum, the cosmos, zinnia, dahlia, ageratum, gaillardia, coreopsis, sunflower, etc., etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Eupatorium—Thoroughwort Two forms are in the market—E. ageratoides, bearing numerous small white flowers in late summer, and E. cœlestinum, with light blue flowers similar to the ageratum.

From Project Gutenberg