Dentaria

/dɛnˈtɛriə/ noun

Definition

A genus of plants, commonly called toothwort, with small white or purple flowers and irregularly toothed leaves.

Etymology

From Latin 'dentatus' (toothed) plus the plant genus suffix '-ia.' Named for the tooth-like projections on the plant's leaves or roots.

Kelly Says

Toothwort got its name because medieval people thought its knobbly root system, which has tooth-like projections, could cure toothaches—a perfect example of the 'Doctrine of Signatures' where plants were named for what they looked like!

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