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officinalis

officinalis

8.7
Appears in scientific names to show a plant has medicinal uses
  • adjective
  • /ˌɔfɪˈsɪnəlɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oficinal
  • When you see officinalis in a plant's scientific name, it usually means it was used in medicine.

Examples

  • Lavandula officinalis is valued for its calming and healing properties.

  • Many herbs labeled as officinalis are known for their healing properties.

  • The species name officinalis is often given to plants with traditional medicinal uses.

  • The plant officinalis has been used for centuries in traditional medicine.

  • The species name officinalis indicates that the plant has recognized medicinal properties.

  • Lavandula officinalis is commonly used in herbal remedies for its healing effects.

  • In botanical terms, officinalis denotes that a plant has notable medicinal uses.

Synonyms

officinale
vsofficinalis
  • Specialized
8.5

A word in plant names that shows the plant has medicinal uses

marks such plants as having general healing or medicinal properties

Compounds

Borago officinalis
  • Specialized
9.8

A hairy annual herb with blue flowers that people eat in salads, cook as a vegetable, and use as medicine

Calendula officinalis
  • Specialized
8.1

A garden plant with bright yellow or orange flowers used in teas and skin creams

Cinchona officinalis
  • Specialized
9.4

A South American tree whose bark contains quinine that treats malaria

9.9

A small coastal plant called scurvy-grass that contains vitamin C and helps prevent scurvy

Anchusa officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers often used in herbal medicine

Alpinia officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A perennial plant from China with white flower clusters and spicy smelling roots used in medicine and cooking

Althea officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A European plant with lilac-pink flowers whose roots are used for medicine

Avicennia officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A small to medium mangrove tree that grows in partly salty water along tropical coasts

Fumaria officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A small European herb with grey green leaves and pinkish flowers used in medicine long ago

Lavandula officinalis
  • Specialized
7.5

A small Mediterranean shrub with purple flowers that smell pleasant and are used in perfume and small scented bags

Melissa officinalis
  • Specialized
8.1

A lemon-scented herb used in teas and cooking, also called lemon balm

Melilotus officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant with yellow flowers from Europe and Asia used to improve soil and give a mild sweet scent

Galega officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall bushy plant with spikes of blue flowers sometimes used in medicine

Hyssopus officinalis
  • Specialized
9.6

A small European shrub with strong, fragrant leaves people use for cooking, perfume, and traditional remedies

5.7

A fragrant evergreen plant with grey-green leaves used in cooking and to make perfume

Salvia officinalis
  • Specialized
4.6

A low bush called sage with grey-green leaves people use to add flavor to food

Saponaria officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden plant with pink or white flowers whose leaves and roots make a natural soap

A small plant that smells like mint and is used in gardens and herbal medicine

Valeriana officinalis
  • Specialized
9.1

A tall plant that lives for many years with fragrant flowers and roots used to help people sleep

Veronica officinalis
  • Specialized
9.0

A small common European plant with hairy stems and pale blue or lilac flowers

Surface Forms

officinalis positive

Etymology

Officinalis comes from the Latin officina, which meant a 'workshop' or 'storeroom' and later a 'medicine shop'. So when a plant name includes officinalis, it shows the plant was kept in old medicine shops and used for healing, which is why the name marks plants with medicinal use.