black knot

American  

noun

Plant Pathology.

1. a disease of plants, especially of plums and cherries, characterized by black knotlike overgrowths on the branches, twigs, etc., caused by a fungus, Dibotryon morbosa.

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black knot British  

noun

1. a fungal disease of plums and cherries caused by Dibotryon morbosum , characterized by rough black knotlike swellings on the twigs and branches

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Etymology

Origin of black knot

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Her hair had been woven then, as now, into a black knot against the nape of her neck.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

He would remember how rigorously her hair had been woven into a black knot against the nape of her neck.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Her white dress was only relieved by a black knot here and there, and a little black scarf was thrown round her shoulders.

From Under a Charm, Vol. I (of III) A Novel by Werner, E.

They swarmed like ants about the upraised pole, and she drove them into position—a black knot of men hauling on the triple cordage—left, right, and middle, like the ribs of a tent.

From At a Winter's Fire by Capes, Bernard Edward Joseph

His remedy for the black knot is to cut off and burn the small boughs and twigs affected.

From The Home Acre by Roe, Edward Payson