compass plant

American  

noun

1. any of various plants having leaves that tend to lie in a plane at right angles to the strongest light, hence usually north and south, especially Silphium laciniatum.

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compass plant British  

noun

1. Also called: rosinweed.  a tall plant, Silphium laciniatum, of central North America, that has yellow flowers and lower leaves that tend to align themselves at right angles to the strongest light, esp in a north-south plane: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any of several similar plants

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Etymology

Origin of compass plant

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Invasive fungal infections are some of the most severe complications with liver transplants, especially a fungus called Aspergillus, which can also grow on cannabis plants.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2022

These are all cannabinoids: compounds extracted from cannabis plants that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates various neural functions like movement and memory.

From Slate • Sep. 3, 2022

That legislation legalized the production of hemp, which previously had fallen under a 1937 law that essentially prohibited the production of all cannabis plants.

From Golf Digest • Jun. 19, 2019

Cannibiniol, commonly known as CBD, is derived from hemp or cannabis plants and often used in relaxation or pain-relief supplements.

From Fox News • May 31, 2019

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970, however, does not distinguish between types of cannabis plants and therefore puts growing hemp off-limits.

From US News • Jan. 21, 2015