milkwort

American  

[milk-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈmɪlkˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any plant or shrub of the genus Polygala, formerly supposed to increase the secretion of milk.

2. sea milkwort.

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milkwort British  

/ ˈmɪlkˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Polygala, having small blue, pink, or white flowers with two petal-like sepals: family Polygalaceae. They were formerly believed to increase milk production in cows See also senega

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Etymology

Origin of milkwort

First recorded in 1570–80; milk + wort ²

Example Sentences

She found that mouse ear and willow can help stop bleeding and that a tea of anise and dill and bitter milkwort will help when milk will not come.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

“Beetle, I must to the miller to have my oats ground to flour. Crush the bitter milkwort and boil the wormwood syrup while I am gone.”

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Unlike the common milkwort and many of its kin that grow in clover-like heads, each one of the gay wings has beauty enough to stand alone.

From Wild Flowers Worth Knowing by Blanchan, Neltje

The garden was full of weeds and flowers, with daisies on the lawn, and dandelions and milkwort among the beds.

From Old Kensington by Thackeray, Miss

Let us watch a bumblebee as she alights on the convenient fringe which edges the lower petal of this milkwort.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje