Asterwort

/ˈæstərwɜːrt/ noun

Definition

A plant name, historically used to describe various aster plants or similar flowering species.

Etymology

Compound of 'aster' (star-shaped flower) + 'wort' (Old English word for plant), a common naming pattern in herbalism and folklore.

Kelly Says

The '-wort' suffix was herbalists' way of categorizing plants by their appearances and uses—knowing which plant was 'asterwort' versus 'mugwort' could mean the difference between healing and harm in medieval medicine.

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