mermaid weed

noun

1. any of several North American, aquatic plants of the genus Proserpinaca, having pinnately dissected leaves either above or below the water.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mermaid weed¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

One of the most common plants is the mermaid-weed (Proserpinaca).

From Project Gutenberg