toothwort
[ tooth-wurt, -wawrt ]
/ ˈtuθˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /
noun
a European plant, Lathraea squamaria, of the broomrape family, having a rootstock covered with toothlike scales.
Also called pepperroot.
any of several plants belonging to the genus Dentaria, of the mustard family, having toothlike projections upon the creeping rootstock.
Words nearby toothwort
Example sentences from the Web for toothwort
The Toothwort (Lathraea) is so called because its scales have a sort of resemblance to human teeth.
The Romance of Plant Life |G. F. Scott ElliotThe roots are of singular form, almost like human teeth, arranged as scales, whence the name Toothwort.
Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers |John WoodThe botanists call it the toothwort (Dentaria), also pepper-root.
A Year in the Fields |John BurroughsParasitic on the roots of the hazel is found the curious leafless Lathraea Squamaria or toothwort.
British Dictionary definitions for toothwort
toothwort
/ (ˈtuːθˌwɜːt) /
noun
a parasitic European scrophulariaceous plant, Lathraea squamaria, having no green parts, scaly cream or pink stems, pinkish flowers, and a rhizome covered with toothlike scales
any North American or Eurasian plant of the genus Dentaria, having creeping rhizomes covered with toothlike projections: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
See also crinkleroot