osmanthus

/ɒzˈmænθəs/

Etymology

From João de Loureiro's (1790) taxonomic name Osmanthus (“genus of flowering shrubs”), from Ancient Greek ὀσμή (osmḗ, “smell”) + ἄνθος (ánthos, “flower”), for the strong scent of the Osmanthus fragrans.

Why this word is great

OSMANTHUS — [Noun] Any of several widely distributed evergreen flowering plants, of the genus Osmanthus, known for their strong fragrance. From João de Loureiro's (1790) taxonomic name Osmanthus, from Ancient Greek ὀσμή (osmḗ, "smell") + ἄνθος (ánthos, "flower"), referring to the scent of Osmanthus fragrans. Unlike "jasmine" (which perfumes the night with its sharp, floral insistence) or "lilac" (which announces spring in bold purple clusters), osmanthus is subtler, a whisper of sweetness carried on autumn air. It is the golden dust of tiny blossoms clinging to a teacup, the ghost of a forgotten orchard in a city park, or the way memory can sometimes be stronger than presence—a fragrance that outlasts the flower itself.

noun

Any of several widely distributed evergreen flowering plants, of the genus Osmanthus.“By 1969, the flower district had under cultivation over 13 hectares of rosebeds alone, 10,000 pots of osmanthus, 50,000 pots of magnolias, camellias and jasmine and several hundred thousand pots of chrysanthemums, as well as thousands of pine, pomegranate and iron trees.”