| 词源 |
heliotrope. Many plant leaves and flowers turn toward the sun. The ancient Greeks noticed that this fragrant vanilla- scented perennial flower (Heliotropium arborescems), often called “cherry pie,” did so and called it the heliotrope, from the Greek heleo, “sun,” and trepo, “turning to go into it.” Another fragrant flower sometimes called heliotrope, and also called “cherry pie” for its blossoms, is common valerian (Valerian of- ficinalis), probably named for the Roman Emperor Valerianus. A Greek legend says the god Apollo loved the ocean nymph Clytie but abandoned her for her sister, whereafter she died of sorrow. A remorseful Apollo changed the dead Clytie into a liv- ing flower that always turns toward the sun. |