gilia, n.
Brit. /ˈdʒɪlɪə/, U.S. /ˈdʒɪliə/
[‹ scientific Latin Gilia, genus name (H. Ruiz & J. Pavon Florae Peruvianae et Chilensis (1794) 25/1) > suffix1 Affix 1.]
Any of numerous plants of the genus Gilia or related genera of the phlox family Polemoniaceae, which are chiefly low-growing herbs of desert habitats in North and South America, cultivated as ornamentals for their flowers. Also (in form Gilia): the genus itself.
| 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 333/1 The genera Collomia, Phlox, Leptosiphon, Gilia, and Polemonium are common objects of cultivation, on account of their beauty. 1841 J. Loudon Ladies' Compan. Flower Garden 154/1 [Ipomopsis] Beautiful biennial Peruvian plants, with splendid scarlet flowers, which Professor Don, and some other botanists, class with the Gilias. 1875 Amer. Naturalist 9 145 Deep sun-cracks in the strongly impregnated gypseous soil receive the seed of the Œnotheras, Gilias, Phacelias, and Erigonums, to be covered up by the first rains. 1901 J. Muir Our National Parks 6 Their plant treasures are passing away,—the delicate abronias, phloxes, gilias, etc. Only a few of the bitter, unbitable shrubs are left. 1969 Ecology 50 1108/1 Work was initiated during attempts to learn about the pollination mechanisms of the scarlet gilias, one or more species of Ipomopsis. 1992 Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois) 22 Mar. iv. 4/3 Gilia is a fragile and whimsical little flower. |