The story
From the original taxonomic name, Wellingtonia gigantea, which was invalid because "Wellingtonia" had already been used for another plant. Probably named for the Duke of Wellington, who died the year before.
First known use, by meaning
- 1852 A large coniferous tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, from California.
- 1840 Wellingtonia arnottiana, now Meliosma arnottiana
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.