What does anthophyllite mean?
Anthophyllite is a rock-forming mineral belonging to the amphibole group, chemically a magnesium iron silicate hydroxide. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, forming long, slender prismatic crystals or fibrous masses, and is typically clove-brown, tan, or grayish green in color. The mineral takes its name from the Latin word for clove, a nod to its characteristic hue. Anthophyllite occurs mainly in regionally metamorphosed rocks — especially gneisses, schists, and hornfelses formed under medium- to high-grade conditions — where it commonly grows alongside other minerals such as cordierite, garnet, and plagioclase. It is of particular interest to geologists as an indicator of metamorphic grade and pressure-temperature history, and it appears frequently in petrographic descriptions and thin-section studies. Although it shares the fibrous habit typical of some amphiboles, it is far less prominent than minerals like asbestos-form tremolite. Outside professional geology, the term rarely surfaces, but within earth science it remains a standard and well-established mineral name.
nounA brown or grayish-green orthorhombic amphibole mineral that is a magnesium iron silicate hydroxide, occurring in metamorphic rocks such as gneisses and schists.
- An orthorhombic amphibole mineral, a magnesium iron silicate hydroxide, typically brown to gray-green, found chiefly in regionally metamorphosed rocks.
"The thin sections of schist were dominated by prismatic crystals of anthophyllite."
"The anthophyllite-rich layers in the gneiss weathered into distinctive rusty-brown bands."
"Under polarized light, the anthophyllite grains displayed their characteristic prismatic habit and pleochroism."
Rarely used; the plural may appear when distinguishing varieties or occurrences of the mineral, but most scientific writing treats anthophyllite as an uncountable substance name.
"Both anthophyllites examined showed the same prismatic habit under the microscope."
Anthophyllite was named after its clove-brown color — the name literally means 'flower leaf' in reference to cloves, not because it has anything to do with flowers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anthophyllite
The name anthophyllite was coined by French mineralogist Jean-Claude Delamétherie in the early nineteenth century, derived from the Latin anthophyllum, meaning 'clove' (literally 'flower leaf'), in allusion to the mineral's characteristic clove-brown color. The Latin term itself traces back through Greek anthos ('flower') and phyllon ('leaf'). The same Greek roots give rise to botanical terms such as anthophyte, meaning 'flower plant', making these genuine cognates sharing the flower-and-leaf etymology.
Related word forms
How anthophyllite is actually used
Strictly a technical term of mineralogy and geology, used almost exclusively in academic, field, and petrographic contexts; it does not appear in general conversation or literature.
Easily confused with anthophyllite
Anthophyllite is a brownish amphibole mineral found in metamorphic rocks, whereas anthracite is a hard, glossy form of coal.