madwort
(ˈmædwɜːt)
[Cf. quot. 1597; the name is perh. a transl. of L. alyssum, a. Gr. ἄλυσσον, f. ἀ- (privative particle) + λύσσα rabies.]
1. A herb of the genus Alyssum.
Britten and Holland (Plant-n.) consider Gerarde's ‘madwort’ to be of doubtful identity, and assign his ‘German madwort’ to the genus Stachys or Sideritis.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal ii. cxviii. 379 The Germaine Mad⁓woort bringeth foorth from a fibrous roote, two broad, rough, and hoarie leaues; between which riseth vp a hoarie brittle stalke, diuided into sundrie small branches, whereupon do growe long, narrow leaues..; from the bosome of which leaues come foorth small roundles of purple flowers like those of the dead Nettle. Ibid. 380 Madwoort or Moonewort is called..of the Latines Alyssum: in English Galens Madwoort: of some Heale dog; and it hath the name thereof, bicause it is a present remedie for them that are bitten of a mad dog. 1611 Cotgr., Alysson, the hearbe Madwort, Moonewort, heale dog. 1640 Parkinson Theatr. Bot. 590 Alyssum montanum Columnæ. Mountaine Mad⁓wort of Columna. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 313 Mad⁓wort, Alyssum. 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. Pl. I. 105 Alyssum, which is the Mad-wort of the ancients, and the plants of which were supposed to allay anger. |
2. The Trailing Catchweed, Asperugo procumbens. (Also called German madwort.)
| 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 German Mad-wort, Asperugo. 1806 J. Galpine Brit. Bot. 79 Asperugo, Madwort. |