Leucanthus
/loo-KAN-thus/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: leucantha, leucanthum
A floral color epithet specifically describing white flowers — combining the Greek leukos (white) with anthos (flower). It is more precise than albus or candidus in specifying that the whiteness refers to the flowers rather than foliage, bark, or other organs. Appears as leucanthus (masculine), leucantha (feminine), or leucanthum (neuter).
Etymology
From Greek leukos (white) + anthos (flower), meaning "white-flowered."
Example
“Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage) bears white-tubed flowers within purple calyces, and Centaurea leucantha produces the pure white flowerheads its epithet describes — a welcome pale form among typically colored relatives.”