ground hemlock

noun

1. a prostrate yew, Taxus canadensis, of eastern North America, having short, flat needles and red, berrylike fruit.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground hemlock¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

I believe Luke is lying face down in a thicket, a tangle of bracken, the brown fronds from last year under the green ones just unrolled, or ground hemlock perhaps, although it’s too early for the red berries.

From Literature

The application of a poultice of ground hemlock, or a charge of gum hemlock, will generally be found useful.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the hornbeams, hazel bushes, and ground hemlock, they are lovers of the shade; and they fringe the forest with a shrubbery border.

From Project Gutenberg

Ground hemlock had been skinned of everything except the main stems.

From Project Gutenberg

Toward nightfall, as the downpour subsided into a fine mist, Fred spied a big buck munching on ground hemlock 80 yards away.

From Time Magazine Archive