rosebay

[ rohz-bey ]

noun

1. any of several rhododendrons, as the great laurel of eastern North America or Rhododendron macrophyllum, of the west coast of North America.
2. British. the willow herb, Epilobium angustifolium.

rosebay

/ ˈrəʊzˌbeɪ /

noun

1. any of several rhododendrons, esp Rhododendron maximum of E North America
2. rosebay willowherb
   a perennial onagraceous plant, Chamerion (formerly Epilobium ) angustifolium , that has spikes of deep pink flowers and is widespread in open places throughout N temperate regions
3. another name for oleander

Word History and Origins

Origin of rosebay¹

First recorded in 1540–50; rose ¹ + bay ⁴

Example Sentences

Fields of rosebay willow herb, statuesque and hazy pink, put a pop of color into the otherwise gray day.

From Washington Post

We pulled fistfuls of rosebay willow, yarrow and lady’s mantle.

From Washington Post

Dripping coolly onto her sandaled feet, the untidy bunch of rosebay willow herb and irises brought her to a better state of mind.

From Literature

From the ubiquitous white yarrow to the purple harebell to the wonderfully named yellow blooms of "lady's bedstraw" to the creeping thistle to the tall rosebay willow herb, they color the landscape.

From Golf Digest

These "tough" wild flowers - such as rosebay willowherb, prickly lettuce and dandelions - thrive precisely because they are not pushed out by swathes of more common weeds that need a more nutrient-rich landscape.

From BBC