Forb
/fɔːrb/noun
A herbaceous flowering plant other than a grass, sedge, or rush.
Did you know?Unlike many plant terms, “forb” has no securely established ancient root; it emerged in modern ecological and botanical vocabulary, probably influenced by German Forb.
Etymological Timeline
Uncertain prehistory
Unknown
—
“No securely identified Proto-Indo-European or earlier root has been established for forb.”
19th–20th Century
German
Forb
“A possible German source or influence for the botanical term; its own origin is uncertain.”
Early 20th Century
English
forb
“A technical ecological noun for a non-grass herbaceous flowering plant.”
20th Century
English
forb
“Adopted in botany, ecology, and conservation writing, especially in descriptions of grasslands and prairies.”
Modern English
English
forb
“A flowering herbaceous plant distinguished from grasses, sedges, and rushes.”