Myriophyllum
/ˌmɪrɪə(ʊ)ˈfɪləm/ /ˌmɪrɪˈɒfɪləm/(also myriophyllums) Botany
noun
A genus of aquatic plants (family Haloragaceae) having whorls of submerged feathery leaves and emergent flower spikes, some species being cultivated in ponds and aquariums; (also myriophyllum) a plant of this genus, a water milfoil.
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species Plantarum (1753) II. 992..
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in New & Complete Dictionary Arts & Science. From scientific Latin myriophyllum from classical Latin myriophyllon water milfoil (Pliny) from Hellenistic Greek μυριόϕυλλον water milfoil (Dioscorides, Galen) from ancient Greek μυρίος countless + ϕύλλον leaf. Compare milfoil, and French myriophylle.