girasole

Heliotrope He"li*o*trope, n. [F. h['e]liotrope, L. heliotropium, Gr. ?; ? the sun + ? to turn, ? turn. See {Heliacal}, {Trope}.] 1. (Anc. Astron.) An instrument or machine for showing when the sun arrived at the tropics and equinoctial line. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Heliotropium}; -- called also {turnsole} and {girasole}. {Heliotropium Peruvianum} is the commonly cultivated species with fragrant flowers. [1913 Webster]

3. (Geodesy & Signal Service) An instrument for making signals to an observer at a distance, by means of the sun's rays thrown from a mirror. [1913 Webster]

4. (Min.) See {Bloodstone} (a) . [1913 Webster]

{Heliotrope purple}, a grayish purple color. [1913 Webster]