knawel

American  

[nawl] / nɔl /

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Scleranthus, of the pink family, native to Eurasia, especially S. annuus, a common, low-growing weed that forms dense mats.

---

knawel British  

/ ˈnɔːəl /

noun

1. any of several Old World caryophyllaceous plants of the genus Scleranthus, having heads of minute petal-less flowers

---

Etymology

Origin of knawel

First recorded in 1570–80, knawel is from the German word Knauel, Kneuel “knotweed”

Example Sentences

Sclēran′thus, a genus of apetalous plants, including the knawel or German knot-grass; Sclere, in sponges, a skeletal element; Sclērench′yma, the hard parts of corals or plants.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

I saw no shepherd's purse after December 27th, but knawel was in flower as late as January 18th.

From The Foot-path Way by Torrey, Bradford