Latin heliotropium,
from Greek heliotropion,
from helio (Sun) and tropos (turn).
1 : any of a genus (Heliotropium) of herbs or shrubs of the borage family (Boraginaceae). [their flowers orient toward the sun -cf]
2 : bloodstone - a green chalcedony sprinkled with red spots resembling blood -- called also heliotrope
3 : a variable color averaging a moderate to reddish purple
- Merriam-Webster’s - http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=heliotrope