A common herbaceous plant (Descurainia sophia) with small yellow flowers and feathery leaves, found in many parts of the world.
From Middle English, possibly combining 'flux' (a plant used as a laxative) with 'weed,' or alternatively from 'flick' meaning to move quickly (referring to how the plant's seeds scatter). The exact origin is disputed among botanists.
Flixweed was actually useful in medieval medicine as a laxative—the 'flux' part refers to helping things move through your digestive system! It shows how plant names often recorded their practical uses before fancy Latin names took over.
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