toothwort

[ tooth-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. a European plant, Lathraea squamaria, of the broomrape family, having a rootstock covered with toothlike scales.
2. Also called pepperroot. any of several plants belonging to the genus Dentaria, of the mustard family, having toothlike projections upon the creeping rootstock.

toothwort

/ ˈtuːθˌwɜːt /

noun

1. a parasitic European scrophulariaceous plant, Lathraea squamaria , having no green parts, scaly cream or pink stems, pinkish flowers, and a rhizome covered with toothlike scales
2. See crinkleroot
   any North American or Eurasian plant of the genus Dentaria, having creeping rhizomes covered with toothlike projections: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also crinkleroot

Word History and Origins

Origin of toothwort¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; tooth + wort ²

Example Sentences

The Toothwort (Lathraea) is so called because its scales have a sort of resemblance to human teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

Parasitic on the roots of the hazel is found the curious leafless Lathraea Squamaria or toothwort.

From Project Gutenberg

The roots are of singular form, almost like human teeth, arranged as scales, whence the name Toothwort.

From Project Gutenberg

The botanists call it the toothwort (Dentaria), also pepper-root.

From Project Gutenberg