വെള്ളില

വെള്ളില

Malayalam

വെള്ളില

Etymology

വെള്ള (veḷḷa, “white”) +‎ ഇല (ila, “leaf”), reference to its white, leaf-like calyx.[1]

This term has been in use since at least 17th century.[2]

Noun

വെള്ളില • (veḷḷila)

1. dhobi tree (Mussaenda frondosa)

Descendants

• Translingual: Belilla

References

1. Nicolson, Dan H.; [[w::es:C.R. Suresh|Suresh, C. R.]]; Manilal, K. S. (1988), “An interpretation of Van Rheede's Hortus Malabaricus”, in Regnum Vegetabile‎, volume 119, page 226
2. van Reede tot Draakestein, Henricus (1679) Hortus Indicus Malabaricus‎, volume 2, Amstelodami: Viduæ Joannis van Someren; Hæredum Joannis van Dyck, page t. 18

• Gundert, H. (1872), “വെള്ളില”, in A Malayalam and English Dictionary‎, Mangalore: C. Stolz, page 987