Lousewort
/ˈlaʊsˌwɜːrt/noun
A plant in the genus Pedicularis, many species of which are parasitic on the roots of grasses and other plants.
Did you know?Lousewort was named from the old belief that these plants were linked to lice, and the genus name Pedicularis comes from Latin pediculus, meaning “louse,” giving the plant a built-in parasitic reputation.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pediculus
“a louse”
Late Latin
Latin
pedicularis
“of or relating to lice”
Old English
English
lūs
“a louse”
Middle English
English
louse-wort
“a plant believed to be connected with lice”
Modern English
English
lousewort
“a plant of the genus Pedicularis”
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