madwort

American  

[mad-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈmædˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. a mat-forming plant, Aurinia saxatilis (orAlyssum saxatille ), of the mustard family, having spatulate leaves and open clusters of pale yellow flowers.

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madwort British  

/ ˈmædˌwɜːt /

noun

1. a low-growing Eurasian boraginaceous plant, Asperugo procumbens, with small blue flowers

2. any of certain other plants, such as alyssum

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Etymology

Origin of madwort

First recorded in 1590–1600; mad + wort ²

Example Sentences

Some non-nutritious invasive plants like cheatgrass and desert madwort have replaced nutritious native plants.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2018

I haven't eaten madwort, and no beast has bitten me; but the secretary was here, and he said that there was no way for thee to escape from the army.

From Hania by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

Each one in her wame shall hide   Her hairy mouse, her wary mouse, Fed on madwort and agramie,— Wear amber beads between her breasts, And blind-worm's skin about her knee.

From Bulchevy's Book of English Verse by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

"Hast eaten madwort, woman, or has some beast bitten thee?"

From Hania by Sienkiewicz, Henryk