stitchwort

stitch·wort  (stchwûrt, -wôrt)

n.

Any of several low-growing plants of the genus Stellaria, having opposite leaves and small, white, star-shaped flowers.

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[Middle English, from Old English sticwyrt, agrimony : stice, stich (from its alleged ability to cure sharp pains in the side); see stitch + wyrt, plant; see wort¹.]

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stitchwort [ˈstɪtʃˌwɜːt]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several low-growing N temperate herbaceous plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Stellaria, having small white star-shaped flowers

[so named because it was once thought to be a remedy for stitches in the side]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

stitchwort - low-growing north temperate herb having small white star-shaped flowers; named for its alleged ability to ease sharp pains in the side greater stitchwort, starwort, Stellaria holostea chickweed - any of various plants of the genus Stellaria