| any weedy North American plant of the genus Triosteum, of the honeysuckle family, esp. T. perfoliatum, having stalkless leaves and purplish-brown flowers and bearing orange fruits. |
| horse gentian n. Any of various plants of the genus Triosteum, having opposite leaves, small purplish-brown flowers, and leathery orange-yellow fruit. Also called feverwort. |
horse gentian
any of the four North American plant species of the genus Triosteum, all coarse perennials belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae. Several other species of the genus are East Asian. The common names feverwort, wild ipecac, and horse gentian resulted from former medicinal uses of the plant. Other names for certain of the plants are tinker's weed and wild coffee.
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