Arruda

Arruda is a term of Portuguese origin that can refer to several distinct things. In Portuguese, arruda is the common name for rue, a plant scientifically known as Ruta graveolens. Rue is a woody perennial with blue-green leaves and a distinctive pungent aroma. It has a long history of cultivation as an ornamental plant and in folk medicine and traditional rituals in parts of Europe and the Americas. In some culinary traditions, small amounts of dried arruda are used as a flavoring, though it is not widely consumed and can be toxic in large doses.

Arruda also functions as a surname in Portuguese-speaking countries. It is found in Portugal, Brazil, and elsewhere in the Lusophone world, where it is borne by people across various professions and communities.

Geographically, Arruda dos Vinhos is a municipality in the Lisbon District of Portugal. The name is used in other place names as well, especially in regions with Portuguese influence, reflecting the cultural and historical spread of the term.