pachysandra

[ pak-uh-san-druh ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Pachysandra, as the Allegheny spurge or Japanese spurge, the leaves of which grow in a rounded clump, widely used as a ground cover in the U.S.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pachysandra¹

1805–15; < New Latin: the genus name, irregular from Greek pachýs thick + Greek andr- (stem of anḗr man; andro- ) + -a -a ²; so called in reference to the thick stamens of the male flowers

Example Sentences

As a ground cover, pachysandra is old hat and I would encourage you to find other ground covers to use, but to plant them in late summer/early fall.

From Seattle Times

Instead, the hotel is clearly on the ground, horizontal rather than vertical, positioned next to a coral bell, pachysandra, periwinkle and some type of sedge grass.

From Washington Post

Remove weeds and debris and replace plants known to provide cover, including English ivy, periwinkle, pachysandra and hosta.

From Washington Post

Now, when I hear “avid gardener,” I picture someone weeding the pachysandra beds quietly or deadheading the roses — not operating machinery that requires ear-protecting headsets like people wear at rifle ranges.

From New York Times

Second, they are an alternative to the ubiquitous plantings of old-fashioned or overused ground covers such as liriope, vinca, pachysandra and English ivy.

From Washington Post