willow herb

willow herb
any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Epilobium, of the evening primrose family, having terminal clusters of purplish or white flowers. Cf. fireweed.
[1570-80]

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Any of about 200 plants that make up the genus Epilobium, of the evening primrose family, especially fireweed (E. angustifolium; also called great willow herb).

The young parts of some species can be cooked and eaten as potherbs. The plants are sometimes cultivated but must be carefully confined. The hairy willow herb, or codling-and-cream (E. hirsutum), is similar to fireweed but has hairy leaves and stalks and notched flower petals; in eastern North America it quickly establishes itself on cleared land. Rock fringe (E. obcordatum) is a low-growing form from the western U.S.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Willow-herb — Wil low herb , n. (Bot.) A perennial herb ({Epilobium spicatum}) with narrow willowlike leaves and showy rose purple flowers. The name is sometimes made to include other species of the same genus. [1913 Webster] {Spiked willow herb}, a perennial… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • willow herb — n. 1. any of a genus (Epilobium) of perennial plants of the evening primrose family, with narrow leaves, whitish or purple flowers, and slender pods filled with plumed seeds, as the fireweed 2. purple loosestrife: see LOOSESTRIFE (n. 2) …   English World dictionary

  • willow-herb — gaurometis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Nakvišinių (Onagraceae) šeimos augalų gentis (Chamerion). atitikmenys: lot. Chamerion angl. willow; willow herb; willow weed vok. Weidenröschen rus. кипрей; кипрейник lenk. wierzbówka; wierzbównica …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • willow herb — noun 1. : a plant of the genus Epilobium; especially : fireweed b see hairy willow herb 2. a. : purple loosestrife …   Useful english dictionary

  • willow herb — wil′low herb n. pln any plant of the genus Epilobium, of the evening primrose family Compare fireweed • Etymology: 1570–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • Spiked willow-herb — Willow herb Wil low herb , n. (Bot.) A perennial herb ({Epilobium spicatum}) with narrow willowlike leaves and showy rose purple flowers. The name is sometimes made to include other species of the same genus. [1913 Webster] {Spiked willow herb},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • willow herb — noun Date: 1578 any of a genus (Epilobium) of herbs of the evening primrose family; especially fireweed b …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • willow-herb — …   Useful english dictionary

  • great willow herb — noun : fireweed b * * * either of two tall, large flowered willow herbs, Epilobium angustifolium or E. hirsutum. * * * great willow herb, = willow herb. (Cf. ↑willow herb) …   Useful english dictionary

  • great willow-herb — siauralapis gaurometis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Nakvišinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medingas, vaistinis augalas (Chamerion angustifolium), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje, Šiaurės Amerikoje ir šiaurės Afrikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Chamerion… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

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