dropwort
(ˈdrɒpwɜːt)
[f. drop n. + wort; in reference to L. name Filipendula, i.e. pendulous threads.]
A name applied to certain plants having tuberous root-fibres.
1. common dropwort, field dropwort, or mountain dropwort, a plant, Spiræa Filipendula, belonging to the same genus as Meadowsweet, but scentless. Extended, with defining words, to other species of Spiræa.
| 1538 Turner Libellus, Phellandryon..uulgus Filipendulam & Droppewort nuncupat. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xxviii. 40 Of filipendula or Dropworte..The rootes be small & blacke, whereon is hanging certaine small knops or blacke pellets, as in the rootes of the female Pionye, sauing y{supt} they be a great deale smaller. 1863 Buckman in Gard. Chron. 23 May 493 The Field Dropwort is a denizen for the most part of dry uplands on calcareous soils. 1879 M. Plues Rambles Wild Flowers (ed. 3) 102 The Willow-leaved Drop-wort (S. salicifolia) is..frequent in shrubberies. |
2. A name for species of Œnanthe (esp. Œ. fistulosa), often distinguished as water dropwort, hemlock (water) dropwort, Œ. crocata.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal 901 There be divers sorts of Dropwoorts, some of the champion or fertill pastures..and some of the water..3 Narrow-leaved Dropwoort. 4 Homlocke Dropwoort. 5 Water Dropwoort. 1747 Gentl. Mag. 566 Four children had eaten the roots of the Oenanthe aquatica cicutae facie (hemlock-dropwort). 1835 Hooker Brit. Flora 131 Oenanthe, Water Drop-wort. |