indigenous

/ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/

/ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/

Use indigenous to describe a plant, animal or person that is native or original to an area. Though Switzerland is known for its chocolates, chocolate, which comes from the cocoa plant, is indigenous to South America.

Indigenous, aboriginal, and native all mean the same thing. Aboriginal, however, is commonly used in connection with Australia, and native with North America. The most neutral of the three terms, indigenous comes from the Latin word, indigena meaning "a native." An indigenous ceremony or religion is one traditionally used by a certain group of people.

Definitions of indigenous

1. adjective

   originating where it is found
   “the Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan”

   synonyms: autochthonal, autochthonic, autochthonous, endemic

   native

   characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin