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

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

The young folks worked untiringly and a little before five the last trail of ground pine was in place, and the decorators stood back and reviewed their work with pride.

From Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]

He brought me this cunning little tree and all this ground pine and holly.

From Marjorie Dean, High School Freshman by Lester, Pauline

Very laboriously, very painstakingly, he spat out one by one two stones and a wisp of ground pine and a brackish, prickly tickle of stale golden-rod.

From The White Linen Nurse by Abbott, Eleanor Hallowell

Men carrying long fringes of the cedar such as grow in the moist places in the cañons,––also festoons of the ground pine, and flowers of the sun with the brilliant petals like warm rays.

From The Flute of the Gods by Ryan, Marah Ellis