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

Fanning the air with gauzy wings, the honey bee comes for a feast on the flowers of the figwort.

From Some Summer Days in Iowa by Lazell, Frederick John

They appear to have quite forsaken the ancient herbal remedies, as the sickle-herb, knotted figwort, and so on.

From The Life of the Fields by Jefferies, Richard

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)

At the foot of a figwort stalk in the pasture, shielded by a little sprig of choke-cherry and a wisp of grasses, a new nest is being builded.

From Some Summer Days in Iowa by Lazell, Frederick John