honeywort
(ˈhʌnɪwɜːt)
[See wort.]
1. The English name of the genus Cerinthe of boraginaceous plants, cultivated in gardens, and much frequented by bees for their honey.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal ii. cxlix. §1. 431 Cerinthe or Honie woort, riseth foorth of the grounde after the sowing of his seede. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. ii. iv. §3. 80. 1855 Singleton Virgil I. 188 Bruised balm, and honeywort's humble herb. 1866 Treas. Bot. 257/1 Honeywort, an appellation due to the abundance of honey secreted by their blossoms, which are much resorted to by bees. |
2. Locally applied to Crosswort (Galium cruciatum), from its strong sweet scent.
| 1863 M. Plues Rambles Search Wild Fl. (1892) 158. |
3. attrib., as in honeywort hawkweed, a bookname for Hieracium cerinthoides.
| 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. Pl. III. 215. 1884 Miller Plant-n., Honey-wort Hawkweed. |