heliotrope

he·li·o·trope  (hll--trp)

n.

1.

a. Any of several plants of the genus Heliotropium, especially H. arborescens, native to Peru and having small, highly fragrant purplish flowers. Also called turnsole.

b. The garden heliotrope.

c. Any of various plants that turn toward the sun.

2. See bloodstone.

3. A moderate, light, or brilliant violet to moderate or deep reddish purple.

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[Middle English elitrope (from Old English eliotropus) and French héliotrope, both from Latin hliotropium, from Greek hliotropion : hlio-, helio- + tropos, turn; see trope.]

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heli·o·trope adj.

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heliotrope

Noun

a plant with small fragrant purple flowers [Greek hēlios sun + trepein to turn]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

heliotrope - green chalcedony with red spots that resemble blood bloodstone calcedony, chalcedony - a milky or greyish translucent to transparent quartz