lisianthus

noun

lis·​i·​an·​thus ˌli-zē-ˈan(t)-thəs 

variants or Lisianthus

plural lisianthuses or Lisianthuses

: a tall, annual or biennial plant (Eustoma exaltatum russellianum synonym E. grandiflorum synonym E. russellianum) of the central and southern U.S. and Mexico that is related to the gentians, has usually pastel-colored, showy, roselike single or double flowers, and includes various cultivars grown in gardens and greenhouses for cut flowers

A rose by any other name would be called lisianthus. The pretty, delicate annual, with a ruffled bloom often likened to the rose, is emerging as the trendy gardener's must-have flower.

—Shawn Sell, USA Today, 27 June 2003

called also prairie gentian, Texas bluebell

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

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