eryngium

2 definitions found

eryngium - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Eryngium \E*ryn"gi*um\ ([-e]*r[i^]n"j[i^]*[u^]m), n. [NL., fr.
     Gr. 'hry`ggion, dim. of 'h`ryggos eryngo; cf. L. eryngion,
     erynge.] (Bot.)
     A large genus of umbelliferous plants somewhat like thistles
     in appearance, cosmopolitan in distribution. Eryngium maritimum
     , or sea holly, has been highly esteemed as an
     aphrodisiac, the roots being formerly candied.
  
     Syn: genus Eryngium.
          [1913 Webster]

eryngium - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Eryngium
      n 1: large genus of decorative plants with thistlelike flower
           heads; cosmopolitan in distribution [syn: Eryngium,
           genus Eryngium]