(n) common perennial herb widely distributed in the southern and eastern United States having drooping clusters of pinkish flowers and thick basal leaves suggesting a lion's foot in shape; sometimes placed in genus Prenanthes, Syn. gall of the earth, Nabalus serpentarius, Prenanthes serpentaria
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
pos>n. (Bot.) A name given in Western South America to certain plants with shaggy tomentose leaves, as species of Culcitium, and Espeletia. [ 1913 Webster ]
pos>n. (Bot.) (a) A composite plant of the genus Prenanthes, of which several species are found in the United States. (b) The edelweiss. [ 1913 Webster ]
pos>n. (Bot.) A South European plant of the genus Leontice (Leontice leontopetalum), the tuberous roots of which contain so much alkali that they are sometimes used as a substitute for soap. [ 1913 Webster ]
pos>n. (Bot.) A genus of labiate plants (Leonurus); -- so called from a fancied resemblance of its flower spikes to the tuft of a lion's tail. Leonurus Cardiaca is the common motherwort. [ 1913 Webster ]