hardhack

American  

[hahrd-hak] / ˈhɑrdˌhæk /

noun

1. a woolly-leaved North American shrub, Spiraea tomentosa, of the rose family, having short, spikelike clusters of rose-colored flowers.

2. shrubby cinquefoil.

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hardhack British  

/ ˈhɑːdˌhæk /

noun

1. Also called: steeplebush.  a woody North American rosaceous plant, Spiraea tomentosa, with downy leaves and tapering clusters of small pink or white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of hardhack

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; hard + hack ¹

Example Sentences

The waste lands shine yellow with the blooms of the marching hardhack.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

Some of the time he could hardly see the narrow sidewalk path between the dusty meadowsweet and hardhack bushes, since those floating black threads wove together into a veritable veil before him.

From The Copy-Cat and Other Stories by Freeman, Mary Eleanor Wilkins

There were patches of black-eyed Susans in the meadows here and there, while pink and white hardhack grew by the road, with day lilies and blossoming milkweed.

From Story of Waitstill Baxter by Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith

To be given, in hardhack tea, as occasion may require.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

Should a diarrhœa attend the malady, give an occasional drink of hardhack tea.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George