any of various plants formerly used in treating lung diseases; esp., any of a genus (Pulmonaria) of European plants of the borage family, with large, spotted leaves and clusters of blue or purple flowers
Origin:
ME longwort < OE lungenwyrt (see lung & wort): from a fancied resemblance to human lungs
See lungwort in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of various plants of the genus Mertensia, such as the Virginia cowslip, having drooping clusters of tubular, usually blue flowers.
Any of several European plants of the genus Pulmonaria, having long-stalked leaves and coiled clusters of blue or purple flowers and formerly used in treating respiratory disorders.