madwort

[ mad-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. a mat-forming plant, Aurinia saxatilis (or Alyssum saxatille ), of the mustard family, having spatulate leaves and open clusters of pale yellow flowers.

madwort

/ ˈmædˌwɜːt /

noun

1. a low-growing Eurasian boraginaceous plant, Asperugo procumbens, with small blue flowers
2. any of certain other plants, such as alyssum

Word History and Origins

Origin of madwort¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; mad + wort ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of madwort¹

C16: once alleged to be a cure for madness

Example Sentences

Here also, quite near, reminiscent of death, is the black madwort.

From Project Gutenberg