heliotrope

noun

he·​lio·​trope ˈhē-lē-ə-ˌtrōp 

ˈhēl-yə-,

 British also  ˈhel-yə-

1

: any of a genus (Heliotropium) of herbs or shrubs of the borage family compare garden heliotrope

2

: bloodstone

3

: a variable color averaging a moderate to reddish purple

Illustration of heliotrope

• heliotrope 1

Did you know?

Helios was the god of the sun in Greek mythology, and helio- came to appear in a number of sun-related English words. The genus known as the heliotropes consists of about 250 species; many are thought of as weeds, but the best-known species, garden heliotrope, is a popular and fragrant perennial that resembles the forget-me-not. The heliotrope tends to follow the sun—that is, turn its blossoms toward the sun as it travels from East to West every day. But the fact is, heliotropism—turning toward the sun—is common among flowers (and even leaves), and some, like the sunflower, are more dramatically heliotropic than the heliotrope. Those in the far North actually use their petals to reflect the sun's heat onto the flower's central ovary during the short growing season.

Examples of heliotrope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet, while nearly all plants with fragrant flowers demand most of the day’s sun, heliotrope is uncomfortable with more than half a day’s sun exposure. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

Hand-poured in Los Angeles, this new candle offers notes of heliotrope, jasmine, lemon peel, neroli, white moss, and incense amongst others. —Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

At the top, a pair of drongos about the size of robins landed in a clump of heliotrope beside me, then flew off. —Kevin Gepford, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025

Sweet floral Notes: Lavender blossom, vanilla orchid, blonde woods Sizes: 1.7 oz, 0.34 oz. Scent Family: Gourmand Notes: Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean, heliotrope Sizes: 3.4 oz., 2 oz., 1.7 oz. —Mary Honkus, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin heliotropium, from Greek hēliotropion, from hēlio- heli- entry 1 + tropos turn; from its flowers' turning toward the sun — more at trope

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heliotrope

• garden heliotrope

Rhymes for heliotrope

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• microscope
• misanthrope

Kids Definition

heliotrope

noun

he·​lio·​trope ˈhē-lē-ə-ˌtrōp 

ˈhēl-yə-

: any of a genus of herbs or shrubs having small white or purple flowers