pepperwort

[pep-er-wurt, -wawrt]

noun

1. water clover.

pepperwort

/ ˈpɛpəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various temperate and tropical aquatic or marsh ferns of the genus Marsilea, having floating leaves consisting of four leaflets: family Marsileaceae

2. Usual US and Canadian name: peppergrass. any of several plants of the genus Lepidium, esp L. campestre, of dry regions of Eurasia, having small white flowers and pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pepperwort¹

First recorded in 1555–65; pepper + wort ²

Example Sentences

The heat increased; warmed by the sun, the pepperwort of the cliffs and the thickets of nard began to give out a strong and intoxicating odor.

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