Balsamicus
/bal-SAM-ih-kus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: balsamica, balsamicum
A scent epithet describing a rich, sweet, resinous fragrance — the warm, complex scent of balsam resins, somewhere between vanilla, incense, and pine. Plants with this epithet are often used in perfumery and traditional medicine. Appears as balsamicus (masculine), balsamica (feminine), or balsamicum (neuter).
Etymology
From Greek balsamon (balsam tree, balsam resin) + Latin -icus (of, relating to), from Hebrew bosem (spice, perfume).
Example
“Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar) fills early spring air with the rich, resinous scent of its unfolding buds, and Abies balsamea (balsam fir) has the characteristic sweet, resinous fragrance the epithet promises.”