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Background <p>Vernacular plant names reflect cultural perceptions, historical interactions, and practical uses. The names of <i>Cyclamen persicum</i> and <i>Leontice leontopetalum</i> exhibit complex historical transformations across the Middle East.</p> Methods <p>We examined linguistic and historical sources alongside botanical, ethnobotanical, and phytochemical data to trace the origins, meanings, and diffusion of the vernacular names of these two species.</p> Results <p>Comparative analysis revealed overlapping semantic fields related to washing textiles and incense use, which contributed to the convergence of vernacular names in different languages and regions. Historical and philological evidence supports the identification of the Mishnaic <i>‘Kippat ha-Yarden</i>’ (‘Jordan Dome’) with <i>Leontice leontopetalum</i>, as hypothesized by Immanuel Löw.</p> Conclusions <p>Integrating linguistic, historical, botanical, and ethnobotanical data provides new insights into the evolution of vernacular plant nomenclature and contributes to the identification of problematic plant names in ancient sources.</p>

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Cyclamen persicum Mill. and Leontice leontopetalum L., common vernacular names – and their relation to washing, incense and the unexplained ‘Jordan Dome’

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月29日

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  • Amots Dafni,
  • Salah ‘Aql Khatib,
  • Barbra Böck

摘要

Background

Vernacular plant names reflect cultural perceptions, historical interactions, and practical uses. The names of Cyclamen persicum and Leontice leontopetalum exhibit complex historical transformations across the Middle East.

Methods

We examined linguistic and historical sources alongside botanical, ethnobotanical, and phytochemical data to trace the origins, meanings, and diffusion of the vernacular names of these two species.

Results

Comparative analysis revealed overlapping semantic fields related to washing textiles and incense use, which contributed to the convergence of vernacular names in different languages and regions. Historical and philological evidence supports the identification of the Mishnaic ‘Kippat ha-Yarden’ (‘Jordan Dome’) with Leontice leontopetalum, as hypothesized by Immanuel Löw.

Conclusions

Integrating linguistic, historical, botanical, and ethnobotanical data provides new insights into the evolution of vernacular plant nomenclature and contributes to the identification of problematic plant names in ancient sources.