cudweed

[kuhd-weed]

noun

1. any of the woolly, composite plants of the genus Gnaphalium, having simple leaves and tubular flowers.

2. any of various plants of allied genera.

cudweed

/ ˈkʌdˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of various temperate woolly plants of the genus Gnaphalium, having clusters of whitish or yellow button-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any of several similar and related plants of the genus Filago, esp F. germanica

Word History and Origins

Origin of cudweed¹

First recorded in 1540–50; cud + weed ¹

Example Sentences

The common everlasting flower, or cudweed, is plentiful upon our dry hills, blooming in early summer, where its white clusters are conspicuous objects amid the drying vegetation.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

There is a hint of green in them, but they are never of the dirty yellowish-white of the cudweed, nor have they the slippery-elm-like fragrance of the latter.

Read more on Project Gutenberg