χαμαιλέων

A. chameleon, Chamaeleo vulgaris, Arist. HA 503a15, Plin. HN 8.120, Lib. Or. 1.249; used as an image of changefulness, Arist. EN 1100b6, Plu. Alc. 23.

II. name of various plants, so called from their leaves changing colour, Thphr. HP 6.4.3, 9.12.1, 9.14.1; χ. λευκός pine-thistle, Atractylis gummifera, Dsc. 3.8; χ. μέλας, Cardopatium corymbosum, ib.9, Plin. HN 22.47.