milkwort

milkwort Definition

milk·wort (-wʉrt′)

noun

any of a genus (Polygala) of plants of the milkwort family with showy flowers of various colors

Etymology: from the former notion that it increases the secretion of milk in nursing women

adjective

designating a family (Polygalaceae, order Polygalales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the gaywings

milkwort Usage Examples

Converse of object

include: Richer grasslands may include common milkwort, salad burnet, wild thyme and common rock rose.

Adjective modifier

common: It is almost certainly the Common Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris.
blue: Bright blue Milkwort and yellow Horseshoe Vetch bedecking the downland slopes.

Noun used with modifier

heath: Occasional splashes of color come from tormentil, heath milkwort, devil's matchsticks or silver-studded blue butterfly.

Browse dictionary entries near milkwort