Narcoticus
/nar-KOH-tih-kus/🏷️ Taxonomy●●● Advanced
Also known as: narcotica, narcoticum
A pharmacological epithet indicating the plant contains narcotic compounds — substances that induce sleep, stupor, or analgesia. Narcotic plants have been used medicinally and recreationally throughout human history. Appears as narcoticus (masculine), narcotica (feminine), or narcoticum (neuter).
Etymology
From Greek narkotikos, meaning "numbing" or "narcotic," from narke (numbness, torpor), related to the verb narkoun (to make numb).
Example
“Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) — whose somniferum epithet means "sleep-bearing" — and Solanum narcoticum both contain the alkaloids that give narcotic plants their ancient medicinal and ritual significance.”