moonwort

[ moon-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any fern of the genus Botrychium, especially B. lunaria, a rare fern having fronds with crescent-shaped leaflets.
2. honesty ( def 4 ).

moonwort

/ ˈmuːnˌwɜːt /

noun

1. Also called (US)grape fern any of various ferns of the genus Botrychium, esp B. lunaria, which has crescent-shaped leaflets
2. another name for honesty

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonwort¹

First recorded in 1570–80; moon + wort ²

Example Sentences

Thin, green marsh fern circled lakes alongside moonwort, rattlesnake fern and horsetail.

From New York Times

One could easily find a rationalistic explanation of this sentiment, of course, but it is akin to a superstition entertained in some parts that wherever the moonwort flourishes the owner of the garden is honest.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was only a big bunch of moonwort on a stained-glass-window sill, and the wind was blowing through a vacancy that should have been a date, and making Æolian music.

From Project Gutenberg

Four kinds of maidenhair, always light and graceful and attractive, are found; and of ferns common to Europe, Osmunda regalis, the Royal fern of Europe, and the European moonwort and alder's-tongue ferns.

From Project Gutenberg

Culpeper, the herbalist, to illustrate the powers of the plant moonwort, tells of a wonderful incident that occurred to Lord Essex's horse, presumably when his army was here in 1644.

From Project Gutenberg