moonseed

[ moon-seed ]

noun

1. any climbing plant of the genus Menispermum, having greenish-white flowers and crescent-shaped seeds.
2. Carolina moonseed.

moonseed

/ ˈmuːnˌsiːd /

noun

1. any menispermaceous climbing plant of the genus Menispermum and related genera, having red or black fruits with crescent-shaped or ring-shaped seeds

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonseed¹

First recorded in 1730–40; moon + seed

Example Sentences

When she finished she picked up a trailing vine of moonseed.

From Project Gutenberg

You see it on cultivated plums, grapes, and apples, but never in any such perfection as on moonseed and black haws in the woods.

From Project Gutenberg

She learned the uses and prices of the plant, and also made drawings of cohosh, moonseed and bloodroot.

From Project Gutenberg

These small fractions of her light remind one of the plant called moonseed,—as if the moon were sowing it in such places.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 231, staminate, and 232, pistillate flower of Moonseed.

From Project Gutenberg