swallowwort

swal·low·wort  (swl-wûrt, -wôrt)

n.

1. See celandine.

2. Any of several vines of the genus Cynanchum, especially C. nigrum, native to Europe, having clusters of small brownish-purple flowers.

---

[From the shape of its pod.]

---

swallowwort [ˈswɒləʊˌwɜːt]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several Eurasian vines of the genus Cynanchum, esp C. nigrum, having small brownish-purple flowers: family Asclepiadaceae

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a related European herbaceous plant, Vincetoxicum officinale (or Cynanchum vincetoxicum), having an emetic root

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) another name for greater celandine

[so called because the shape of its pod is reminiscent of a flying swallow]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	swallowwort - tropical herb having orange-red flowers followed by pods suggesting a swallow with outspread wings; a weed throughout the tropics Asclepias curassavica, blood flower milkweed, silkweed - any of numerous plants of the genus Asclepias having milky juice and pods that split open releasing seeds with downy tufts
	2.	swallowwort - perennial herb with branched woody stock and bright yellow flowers Chelidonium majus, greater celandine, swallow wort, celandine poppy - annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers Chelidonium, genus Chelidonium - one species: greater celandine