bells of Ireland


noun

a plant, Molucella laevis, native to western Asia, having inconspicuous white flowers, each surrounded by an enlarged green calyx.
Also called shellflower.

Origin of bells of Ireland

First recorded in 1955–60; so called from the bell-like green calyx

British Dictionary definitions for bells of ireland

bells of Ireland

noun

(functioning as singular) an annual garden plant, Moluccella laevis, whose flowers have a green cup-shaped calyx: family Lamiaceae (labiates)