catchfly
(ˈkætʃflaɪ)
[f. catch v. + fly n.]
A name originally given by Gerard to Silene Armeria (see quot.); now used for Lychnis Viscaria and the various species of Silene.
| 1597 Gerard Herbal clxxvi. §1. 482, I have called it Catchflie, or Lime woort, The whole plant, as wel leaues as stalkes, and also the flowers, are couered ouer with a most thicke and clammie matter like vnto Birde lime. 1656 Coles Art of Simpling ix. 29 Some have a viscous matter adhering to it, as Catchfly. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece ii. iii. 362 Hardy annual Flowers, as..sweet-scented Peas, Lobel's Catch-fly. Ibid. 373 Double Catchfly. 1776 Withering Bot. Arrangem. (1796) II. 413 Silene anglica, English Catchfly. 1863 Baring Gould Iceland 192 Among the pebbles grows the red alpine catchfly. |