prōˌsərpəˈnākə noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, a plant, probably knotweed, from Proserpina, goddess of the subterranean world of the dead, from Greek Persephonē
: a genus of No. American aquatic or marsh herbs (family Haloragaceae) having finely divided or pinnatifid leaves, tiny perfect but apetalous axillary flowers, and small bony angled fruit — see mermaid weed