houstonia

[ hoo-stoh-nee-uh ]

/ huˈstoʊ ni ə /

any North American plant, belonging to the genus Houstonia, of the madder family, especially H. caerulea, the common bluet.

Origin of houstonia

1755–65; < New Latin, named after Dr. W. Houston (died 1733), British botanist; see -ia

Our houstonia and hepatica would probably become a deep blue in that country.

Fresh Fields |John Burroughs
Under a warm bank found two flowers of the houstonia in bloom.

Wake-Robin |John Burroughs
That sociablest of flowers, the little Houstonia, was very abundant.

A Wonder Book for Girls & Boys |Nathaniel Hawthorne
In another locality I might have brought him dwarf cornel, or the houstonia, or wood-sorrel, or the evening-primrose.

Under the Maples |John Burroughs

Houstonia and Mitchella, or Partridge-berry, are excellent and familiar examples.

The Elements of Botany |Asa Gray

houstonia

/ (huːˈstəʊnɪə) /

any small North American rubiaceous plant of the genus Houstonia, having blue, white, or purple flowers

C19: named after Dr. William Houston (died 1733), Scottish botanist