figwort

American  

[fig-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈfɪgˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of numerous tall, usually coarse woodland plants of the genus Scrophularia, having a terminal cluster of small greenish-brown to purplish-brown flowers.

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figwort British  

/ ˈfɪɡˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any scrophulariaceous plant of the N temperate genus Scrophularia , having square stems and small brown or greenish flowers

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Etymology

Origin of figwort

First recorded in 1540–50; fig ¹ + wort ²

Example Sentences

He paddled across awkwardly, his head tilted high out of the water, and made for the figwort.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Who shall any longer refer to the figwort as an "uninteresting weed"?

From Eye Spy Afield with Nature Among Flowers and Animate Things by Gibson, W. Hamilton (William Hamilton)

The figwort family has many and curious representatives.

From The Mountain that was 'God' Being a Little Book About the Great Peak Which the Indians Named 'Tacoma' but Which is Officially Called 'Rainier' by Williams, John H. (John Harvey)

The leaves of the square-stemmed figwort, which they called 'cresset' or 'cressil,' were occasionally placed on a sore; and the yarrow—locally 'yarra'—was yet held in estimation as a salve or ointment.

From Round About a Great Estate by Jefferies, Richard

I have indicated only a few by way of a hint, and in previous papers on the bluebottle and figwort have described others, but none quite similar to the barberry.

From Eye Spy Afield with Nature Among Flowers and Animate Things by Gibson, W. Hamilton (William Hamilton)