Ragwort
/ˈræɡˌwɜːrt/noun
A yellow-flowered plant of the daisy family, especially one of the genus Senecio.
Did you know?Its second half, -wort, is the same old English word for “plant” found in names like wormwood and mugwort, showing how English once named herbs like they were living spells.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
ræg-wyrt
“a ragged or torn-looking herb or plant”
Middle English
ME
raggewort / rag-wort
“a plant with ragged leaves or appearance”
Early Modern English
English
ragwort
“a common name for certain yellow-flowered plants with jagged leaves”
Modern English
English
ragwort
“a genus or group of yellow-flowered plants, especially Senecio jacobaea”
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