linaria

American  

[lahy-nair-ee-uh, li-] / laɪˈnɛər i ə, lɪ- /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Linaria, of the figwort family, especially of the cultivated species, as L. maroccana or L. aeruginea, having slender clusters of spurred flowers in a variety of colors.

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Etymology

Origin of linaria

1570–80; < New Latin; Medieval Latin līnāria toadflax, equivalent to Latin līn ( um ) flax + -āria -ary

Example Sentences

The neighbourhood is very rich in flora, small jonquils, daffodils, oxslips, hyacinths, violets, polygala, potentilla, anemones, Ramondia pyrenaïca, Primula farinosa, large and small gentians, linaria, and bee orchids being among the easiest to find.

From Twixt France and Spain by Bilbrough, E. Ernest

The palate, so valuable to the other linaria, has in this one lost its function; and the larger flies, taking advantage of the flower's weakness, pilfer both sweets and pollen.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

One little garden linaria, at first employed as an ornament for hanging-baskets, has become so common on old walls and banks as to be now considered a mere weed, and exterminated accordingly by fashionable gardeners.

From Falling in Love With Other Essays on More Exact Branches of Science by Allen, Grant

There is an account of a curious mule from the Antirrbinum linaria, Toad-flax, in the Amoenit.

From The Botanic Garden. Part II. Containing the Loves of the Plants. a Poem. With Philosophical Notes. by Darwin, Erasmus

Then he backs out, and the gaping mouth springs shut after him - for the linaria is akin to the snapdragon in the garden.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje