ragwort

American  

[rag-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈrægˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of various composite plants of the genus Senecio, as S. jacobaea, of the Old World, having yellow flowers and irregularly lobed leaves, or S. aureus golden ragwort, of North America, also having yellow flowers.

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ragwort British  

/ ˈræɡˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Senecio , esp S. jacobaea of Europe, that have yellow daisy-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) See also groundsel

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Etymology

Origin of ragwort

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at rag ¹, wort ²

Example Sentences

Once, while cycling to meet a friend at a pub, England spied 50 caterpillars on a ragwort plant.

From Science Magazine • May 20, 2024

An impenetrable tangle of tansy ragwort, a noxious weed toxic to people and livestock, crowds the fence line.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

A year after the deer were excluded, drifts of golden ragwort appeared in spring, followed by blue mistflower in late summer.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2021

Renoir picks a bunch of camomile, ragwort and wild parsley to evoke the hazy summer fields round Fontainebleau, stuffing them into a homely jug to make the rustic point.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2010

With a few words from Vivi, the ragwort steeds become just three half-wilted weeds among others.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black