Pinguicula
/pɪŋˈɡwɪkjʊlə/Botany
noun
A genus comprising the butterworts (family Lentibulariaceae), which are small insectivorous bog plants with a slender flower stalk arising from a rosette of thick yellowish-green greasy leaves; (also pinguicula) a plant of this genus, a butterwort.
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species Plantarum (1753) I. 17..
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Gerard (c1545–1612), herbalist. From post-classical Latin pinguicula, use as noun (short for planta pinguicula) of feminine of classical Latin pinguiculus rather fat, apparently after early modern German smalzchrawt, lit. ‘dripping weed, fat weed’, so named on account of its greasy leaves. Compare French grassette.