greenweed
(ˈgriːnwiːd)
[f. green a. + weed.]
1. The plant Genista tinctoria, so named from its dyeing properties; also extended to other species.
| 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 163 Yellowes and greenes are colours of small prices in this realme, by reason that Alde and Greenweed wherewith they be died be naturall here. 1807 Crabbe Parish Reg. iii. 169 When strayed her lambs where gorse and greenweed grow. 1830–7 Macgillivray Withering's Brit. Plants xvii. 282 Genista pilosa. Hairy Green-weed..G. anglica. Needle Green-weed. Petty Whin. 1894 Wright & Dewar Johnson's Gardener's Dict., Greenweed. Genista pilosa and tinctoria. |
2. A green sea-weed.
| 1856 Woodward Mollusca iii. 444 For marine aquaria, the green-weeds (Ulva, Enteromorpha, and Bryopsis) are better oxygen-producers than the red sea-weeds. |