milkwort

[ milk-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any plant or shrub of the genus Polygala, formerly supposed to increase the secretion of milk.
2. sea milkwort.

milkwort

/ ˈmɪlkˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Polygala, having small blue, pink, or white flowers with two petal-like sepals: family Polygalaceae. They were formerly believed to increase milk production in cows See also senega

Word History and Origins

Origin of milkwort¹

First recorded in 1570–80; milk + wort ²

Example Sentences

“Beetle, I must to the miller to have my oats ground to flour. Crush the bitter milkwort and boil the wormwood syrup while I am gone.”

From Literature

Central Texas features bluebonnets, Mexican hat and white milkwort.

From Washington Times

They came to a patch of milkwort—a blue as deep as that of the sky—with long stems creeping through the grass and each minute flower spreading its two upper petals like wings.

From Literature

The strain is different from the one affecting olive trees in Puglia, and so far it has only affected milkwort plants, which can be eradicated with little bother since they are ornamental wildflowers.

From Scientific American

In late spring the little flowers of the milkwort are common upon dry hill-slopes in the shade of the trees.

From Project Gutenberg