nemophila

nemophila [nē mäf′ə lə, nəmäf′ə lə]

n.

〚ModL < Gr nemos, a wooded pasture, orig. wooded valley (< IE base * nem-, to bend, form a hollow > NAMASTE) + ModL -phila, suffix indicating attraction toward < L, neut. pl. of -philus, -PHILOUS〛

any of a genus (Nemophila) of annual W American plants of the waterleaf family, cultivated for garden ornament

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▪ plant genus

      genus of annual herbs of the family Boraginaceae. The 11 species, most of which bear blue or white, bell-like blooms, are North American, mostly Pacific coast in origin. Baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) often blooms conspicuously along the borders of moist woodlands in California.

      Its five-lobed, wheel-shaped flowers range in colour from blue to white and may have blue veins; the blossoms measure up to 4 cm (1.5 inches) across. The leaves are divided into five to nine lobes. The plants, sometimes creeping, can grow to about 50 cm tall.

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