Euphrosyne (plant)

Euphrosyne is a genus name sometimes historically applied to plants, though its usage is not widely accepted or recognized in modern botanical classification systems. It's most frequently associated with obsolete or rejected synonyms of genera within the family Boraginaceae, particularly those related to Anchusa and Lycopsis.

Historically, botanists occasionally employed Euphrosyne to differentiate certain species based on morphological characteristics, but subsequent taxonomic revisions and molecular phylogenetic studies have largely superseded this usage. These studies have provided a clearer understanding of the relationships between species, leading to their reclassification under more established genera.

Therefore, when encountering the name Euphrosyne in older botanical texts or databases, it is essential to cross-reference it with current taxonomic databases such as Plants of the World Online (POWO) or the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) to determine the plant's currently accepted name and classification. The name itself likely alludes to Euphrosyne, one of the three Graces in Greek mythology, suggesting a perceived beauty or elegance associated with the plants to which it was applied. However, without a currently recognized genus carrying the name, this etymological link remains the most significant aspect of its botanical significance.