Saint-Peter's-wort

noun

1
a
: a plant of the genus Ascyrum (as A. stans of the southeastern U.S.)
b
[so called from its blooming near the time of St. Peter's feast day (June 29)] : a European Saint-John's-wort (Hypericum quadrangulum)
2
[so called from the resemblance of the leaves to keys, traditional appurtenances of St. Peter] : cowslip sense 1a
3

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Cite this Entry

“Saint-Peter's-wort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Saint-Peter%27s-wort. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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