ground pine

American  

noun

1. any of several species of club moss, especially Lycopodium obscurum or L. complanatum.

2. a European herb, Ajuga chamaepitys, of the mint family, having a resinous odor.

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ground pine British  

noun

1. a hairy plant, Ajuga chamaepitys, of Europe and N Africa, having two-lipped yellow flowers marked with red spots: family Lamiaceae (labiates). It smells of pine when crushed See also bugle 2

2. any of certain North American club mosses, esp Lycopodium obscurum

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Etymology

Origin of ground pine

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ground pine

Bark, particularly finely ground pine bark, holds water and can be used as a substitute for peat moss.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

A trailing ground pine had torn up small blades in its journey across the hill, and a vine, wrist-thick, twisted about a pale oak, hideously, gloriously, killing it, dragging it into dust.

From The Best Short Stories of 1919 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story by O'Brien, Edward J. (Edward Joseph Harrington)

Then the way sloped down to a beautiful forest, shady and green, full of mossy dells, almost overgrown with ferns and low spreading ground pine or spruce.

From Tales of lonely trails by Grey, Zane

They gathered basketfuls of flowers, and long streamers of ground pine, which they made into ropes and wreaths.

From Gerda in Sweden by McDonald, Etta Austin Blaisdell

Then the ground pine, the princess pine, and various nameless pretty things of the woods, all flourish in these little conservatories.

From American Woman's Home by Beecher, Catharine Esther