heliotrope

views updated Jun 08 2018

he·li·o·trope / ˈhēlēəˌtrōp/ • n. a plant (genus Heliotropium) of the borage family, cultivated for its fragrant purple or blue flowers, which are used in perfume. ∎  a light purple color, similar to that typical of heliotrope flowers.

heliotrope

views updated May 29 2018

heliotrope plant of which the flowers turn towards the sun, e.g. formerly, sunflower, marigold, now the genus Heliotropium. XVII. — L. hēliotropium — Gr. hēliotrópion, f. hēlios SUN + -tropos turning.

Heliotrope

views updated May 18 2018

Heliotrope

A plant that follows the sun with its flowers and leaves and is popularly known as "turnsole." Heliotrope was believed to render its possessor invisible if the body was rubbed all over with the juice of this herb, which was also reputed to stop bleeding and avert danger from poison.