blue-curls

or blue curls

[ bloo-kurlz ]

noun

, plural blue-curls.

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) any of several plants belonging to the genus Trichostema, of the mint family, having blue to pink or, rarely, white flowers with long, curved filaments.
2. selfheal ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue-curls¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

The smoke began to rise in blue curls from the cottage chimneys, and the church clock struck the hour of five.

From Project Gutenberg

The spinney opened out; the ferns were serenely uncoiling, the bluebells stood grouped with blue curls mingled.

From Project Gutenberg

Of all the plants of our acquaintance, the common blue-curls is the most aggressive and ill-smelling.

From Project Gutenberg

Both leaf and flower have a pleasant aromatic fragrance, entirely unlike the dreadful odor of the common blue-curls.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, the modest little Blue-curls long had had a working agreement with the Meadow Bees, and got on nicely.

From Project Gutenberg