bugbane

[ buhg-beyn ]

noun

1. any of several tall, erect plants belonging to the genus Cimicifuga, of the buttercup family, as C. americana, of the eastern U.S., having loose, elongated clusters of white flowers.

bugbane

/ ˈbʌɡˌbeɪn /

noun

1. any of several ranunculaceous plants of the genus Cimicifuga , esp C. foetida of Europe, whose flowers are reputed to repel insects

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbane¹

1795–1805; bug ¹ + bane; so called because it supposedly repels insects

Example Sentences

The common name is bugbane; botanically it used to be known as cimicifuga.

From Seattle Times

‘David’s’ snowy flowers play beautifully off the deep, dark leaves of the bugbane.

From Seattle Times