ponticum
/PON-tih-kum/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: ponticus, pontica
A geographic epithet recording Pontus, the ancient region along the southern shore of the Black Sea in what is now northern Turkey. Its mild, humid woodland has supplied several broad-leaved evergreens to temperate gardens, some of which have naturalised well beyond it. Appears as ponticus (masculine), pontica (feminine), or ponticum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin ponticus, meaning "of Pontus," the ancient region bordering the Black Sea.
Example
“Rhododendron ponticum (common rhododendron) and Artemisia pontica (Roman wormwood) both carry the old name of the Black Sea country.”