Deertongue

/ˈdɪr.tʌŋ/ noun

Definition

A North American plant with aromatic leaves used in perfumery and tobacco, or the tongue of a deer used as food.

Etymology

Compound of 'deer' and 'tongue' from Old English 'tunge.' The plant name comes from the shape of its leaves; the culinary meaning refers directly to the meat.

Kelly Says

Deertongue plant (Liatris odoratissima) has leaves so fragrant they were historically used in snuff and pipe tobacco—colonial Americans valued it enough to trade it internationally, making fragrant deer leaves an overlooked cash crop.

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