>I don't think the word has anything to do with Bacchus - am I wrong?
The internet, source of all truth, says that baccharis refers to a shrub sacred to Bacchus with fragrant roots. It says that several dozen times, so it must be true. Except for a spelling problem in Greek. The supposed plant name "bakkaris" is written with two kappas, but Bacchus (the Greek one) is written kappa chi, and everything associated with him is written like that. Maybe Linnaeus thought there was some connection anyway. I have to report that I learned something today. I knew rana was frog in Latin, and that the suffix -unculus meant little, but never put the two together until now. Ranunculus, little frog; supposedly named by Pliny because the flowers were found in marshes where frogs abound. No wonder they croak in my garden. Bob Nold Denver, Colorado, USA
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