styphelia

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


scientific name of a genus ofshrubby plants of New Zealand and Australia, of the N.O. Epacrideae. It contains the Five-Corners (q.v.).

1793. J. E. Smith, `Specimen of the Botany of New Holland,'p. 46:

«We adopt Dr. Solander's original name Styphelia,derived from stuphelos, harsh, hard, or firm, expressiveof the habit of the whole genus and indeed of the whole naturalorder.»