figwort

[ fig-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any of numerous tall, usually coarse woodland plants of the genus Scrophularia, having a terminal cluster of small greenish-brown to purplish-brown flowers.

figwort

/ ˈfɪɡˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any scrophulariaceous plant of the N temperate genus Scrophularia , having square stems and small brown or greenish flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of figwort¹

First recorded in 1540–50; fig ¹ + wort ²

Example Sentences

He paddled across awkwardly, his head tilted high out of the water, and made for the figwort.

From Literature

Who shall any longer refer to the figwort as an "uninteresting weed"?

From Project Gutenberg

The tall stems of the Californian figwort are common along roadsides, and become especially rank and luxuriant where the soil has been freshly stirred.

From Project Gutenberg

The mother butterflies select as food plants for the larvae various members of either the plantain or figwort families.

From Project Gutenberg

Certain families, as ferns and orchids, go well together; mints and figworts are allied.

From Project Gutenberg