taraxacum

taraxacum [təˈræksəkəm]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any perennial plant of the genus Taraxacum, such as the dandelion, having dense heads of small yellow flowers and seeds with a feathery attachment: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. (Medicine / Pharmacology) the dried root of the dandelion, used as a laxative, diuretic, and tonic

[from Medieval Latin, from Arabic tarakhshaqūn wild chicory, perhaps of Persian origin]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Taraxacum - an asterid dicot genus of the family Compositae including dandelions genus Taraxacum asterid dicot genus - genus of more or less advanced dicotyledonous herbs and some trees and shrubs aster family, Asteraceae, Compositae, family Asteraceae, family Compositae - plants with heads composed of many florets: aster; daisy; dandelion; goldenrod; marigold; lettuces; ragweed; sunflower; thistle; zinnia blowball, dandelion - any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls