motherwort

American  

[muhth-er-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈmʌð ərˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. a European plant, Leonorus cardiaca, of the mint family, an introduced weed in the U.S., having cut leaves with a whorl of lavender flowers in the axils.

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motherwort British  

/ ˈmʌðəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the Eurasian genus Leonurus, esp L. cardiaca, having divided leaves and clusters of small purple or pink flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Etymology

Origin of motherwort

1350–1400; Middle English moderwort ( mother ¹, wort ² ), so called because believed helpful for diseases of the womb

Example Sentences

"You want to come over for some dong quai with a hit of motherwort and a tofu salad sandwich?"

From Salon

Examine ripening fruits of blue curls, pennyroyal, germander, balm, horehound, dittany, hyssop, basil, marjoram, thyme, savory, catmint, skullcap, self-heal, dragon's head, motherwort, and various dry fruits of several chickweeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Not less closely did such old garden weeds as motherwort, groundsel, chickweed, and wild mustard cling to the white man.

From Project Gutenberg

How to Cure Hysterics.—Take the leaves of motherwort and thoroughwort, and the bark of poplar root; equal parts.

From Project Gutenberg

I asked in vain a dozen people last summer, what that flower was called, pointing to the ubiquitous Joe Rye weed or pink motherwort.

From Project Gutenberg