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; 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

Along with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, which owns some adjacent land, Hamman and her colleagues plan to burn some of Noyes’ pastures later this year to help control tansy ragwort.

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

She throws down two more stalks, and moments later three ragwort ponies snort the air and snuffle at the ground.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black