madwort

[mad-wurt, -wawrt]

noun

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

madwort

/ ˈmædˌwɜːt /

noun

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

2. any of certain other plants, such as alyssum

Word History and Origins

Origin of madwort¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; mad + wort ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of madwort¹

C16: once alleged to be a cure for madness

Example Sentences

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

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

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Angelica, madworts, and several forms of lichens were favourite remedies.

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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.

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