cineraria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Gardening/Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “cineraria” mean?
A plant of the genus Senecio or Pericallis, commonly cultivated for its bright, daisy-like flowers and silvery, hairy foliage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant of the genus Senecio or Pericallis, commonly cultivated for its bright, daisy-like flowers and silvery, hairy foliage.
Specifically refers to Pericallis × hybrida (formerly Senecio cruentus), a popular pot plant and garden annual with flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white, often with a contrasting eye.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The plant is known by the same name in both varieties.
Connotations
Associated with spring bedding displays, conservatories, and florists in the UK; in the US, also common as a seasonal potted gift plant.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cineraria” in a Sentence
The [adjective] cineraria [verb-phrase]A [noun] of cinerariaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cineraria” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cineraria display in the glasshouse was spectacular.
American English
- She preferred the cineraria varieties with deep purple petals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in horticultural trade (e.g., 'The shipment of cinerarias arrived at the garden centre.')
Academic
Used in botanical texts, plant taxonomy, and horticulture papers.
Everyday
Very rare. May be used by keen gardeners or when purchasing plants.
Technical
Standard term in horticulture, botany, and floriculture for the specific plant.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cineraria”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cineraria”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cineraria”
- Misspelling as 'cinereria' or 'cinneraria'. Using it as a general term for any small daisy-like flower.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In most climates, it is treated as an annual or a conservatory/indoor plant, as it is sensitive to frost and heat.
No, cinerarias prefer cool conditions with bright but indirect light; full sun can scorch the leaves and flowers.
It comes from the Latin 'cinis', meaning 'ashes', referring to the greyish, downy underside of the leaves on some species.
Yes, like many plants in the Asteraceae family, it can be mildly toxic if ingested by cats or dogs, causing gastrointestinal upset.
A plant of the genus Senecio or Pericallis, commonly cultivated for its bright, daisy-like flowers and silvery, hairy foliage.
Cineraria is usually formal, technical, gardening/horticultural in register.
Cineraria: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪnəˈrɛːrɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪnəˈrɛriə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None. This is a technical botanical term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CINERARIA has 'cinder' in it, and its leaves are ashy-grey like cinders.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not applicable for concrete botanical terms]
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the word 'cineraria'?