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willow herb

 - 4 dictionary results

willow herb

–noun
any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Epilobium, of the evening primrose family, having terminal clusters of purplish or white flowers.
Compare fireweed.


Origin:
1570–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fire·weed   (fīr'wēd')   
n.  
  1. Any of various plants of the genus Epilobium, especially E. angustifolium, having long, terminal, spikelike clusters of pinkish-purple flowers. Also called willow herb.

  2. Any of several weedy North American plants of the genus Erechtites, having small white or greenish flowers grouped in discoid heads.

willow herb  
n.  See fireweed.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

willow herb

genus of about 200 plants, in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), native to most temperate regions. It includes fireweed (q.v.; species E. angustifolium), which rapidly covers newly burned areas. The young parts of some species can be cooked and eaten as potherbs. The plants are sometimes cultivated but must be carefully confined

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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