Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

kidney vetch

 - 2 dictionary results

kidney vetch

–noun
an Old World plant, Anthyllis vulneraria, of the legume family, formerly used as a remedy for kidney diseases.
Also called woundwort.


Origin:
1700–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To kidney vetch
Encyclopedia

kidney vetch

perennial herb, of the pea family (Fabaceae), found in meadows, alpine pastures, and dry places of Europe and northern Africa. The low, hairy plant grows to a height of 15-40 cm (6-16 inches) and has narrow leaves 1.4-3.8 cm (0.5-1.5 inches) long and yellow, reddish, or white flowers. It was formerly used as a remedy for kidney disorders but is now frequently cultivated in rock gardens.

Learn more about kidney vetch with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see kidney vetch on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: