noun

1. Obsolete a sunflower or other plant whose flowers turn to face the sun
2. any of a genus (Heliotropium) of plants of the borage family, with fragrant clusters of small, white or reddish-purple flowers
3. garden heliotrope
4. reddish purple
5. a kind of heliograph (sense ) used in surveying
6. bloodstone

Etymology: Fr héliotrope < L heliotropium < Gr hēliotropion < hēlios, the sun (see Helios) + base of trepein, to turn (see trope)

adjective