A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

xanth-, xantho-,-xanthus,-a,-um (adj.A); -xanthum,-i (s.n.II): in Gk. comp., yellow [> Gk. xanthos,-E,-on, yellow of various shades, golden or pale yellow; also red-yellow, chestnut, auburn (Liddell & Scott); “in Gk. compounds = such yellow as gamboge” (Lindley); syn. L. flavus, -a,-um (adj.A), q.v.;

- chloroxanthus, greenish-wellow; xanthacanthus, with yellow spines or thorns; xanthocarpus, with yellow fruits; xanthocephalus, yellow-headed; xanthochymus, with yellow sap or latex; xanthophlebius or xanthoneurus,with yellow veins; xanthophyllus, with yellow leaves; xanthorrhizus, with yellow roots; xanthosphaerus, with yellow spheres or globes; xanthostephanus, with a yellow crown or garland; xanthostylus, with yellow styles; xanthotrichus, with yellow hairs.

- xanthochlorus, yellowish-green; xanthochrous, yellow-colored; xantholeucus, yellowish-white, pale yellow; xanthophoeniceus, yellowish red (scarlet); xanthoporphyreus, xanthoporphyrus, yellowish-purple.

NOTE: a variant spelling in some words is zantho-, q.v.

Xantheranthemum, xanthos + Eranthemum; Xanthoceras,-atis (s.f.III), from the Greek words for yellow and horn, in allusion to the horn-like processes of the disk; Xanthorrhiza Marsh. Yellow Root, from Gk. xanthos, yellow and rhiza, root: alternative spelling Zanthorrhiza L'Hér., roots are a source of yellow dye; Xanthorrhoea, one species the source of Yellow Acaroid Resin used in the varnish industry; Xanthosoma, yellow body, in allusion to the yellow stigmoid disk; Xanthoxylum Gmel., Gk. xanthos, yellow, and xylon, wood, alternative spelling to Zanthoxylum L.; Sect. Lecicia xanthococca Vain.; Xanthosoma (Araceae).

Anthoxanthum, > Gk. anthos, flower + xanthos, yellow, the spikelets of some species of this grass are yellow.

NOTE: Iva xanthifolia Nutt., has leaves that resemble the genus Xanthium.