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Florentinus

/floh-ren-TY-nus/
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Also known as: florentina, florentinum

A geographic epithet honouring the Italian city of Florence (Florentia), most famously applied to the Florentine iris — the source of the orris root used in perfumery for centuries. It stands as one of the most culturally resonant of all geographic epithets in horticulture.

Etymology

From Latin Florentinus, meaning "of Florentia" (Florence), from Florentia, the Roman name for the city, from florens (flowering, flourishing).

Example

Iris florentina (Florentine iris) has been cultivated around Florence since antiquity, its fragrant rhizomes ground into orris root powder used in perfumes, cosmetics, and gin botanicals for over two thousand years.

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