joe-pye weed

American

[joh-pahy weed] / ˌdʒoʊˈpaɪ ˌwid /

noun

Also called purple boneset. a tall composite weed, Eupatorium purpureum, of North America, having clusters of pinkish or purple flowers.
Also called spotted joe-pye weed. a tall composite weed, Eupatorium maculatum, of North America, having clusters of pinkish or purple flowers and stems that are often spotted with purple.

joe-pye weed British

/ ˈdʒəʊˈpaɪ /

noun

any of several North American plants of the genus Eupatorium, esp E. purpureum, having pale purplish clusters of flower heads lacking rays: family Asteraceae (composites)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of joe-pye weed

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They grow assorted milkweeds, asters, elderberry, mountain mint, joe-pye weed, goldenrods, white snakeroot and ironweed.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2021

Now, the meadow is brightened by joe-pye weed, sunflowers, asters and goldenrod.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023