masterwort
masterwort Lexical Profile
masterwort Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A perennial herbaceous plant (Peucedanum ostruthium) of the parsley family (Apiaceae), native to the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, historically cultivated for its aromatic root and reputed medicinal properties.
"In traditional European herbalism, the bitter root of the masterwort was often brewed into a tea to aid digestion."
Any of several ornamental woodland plants of the genus Astrantia, characterized by deeply lobed leaves and distinctive, star-like papery floral bracts surrounding a central dome of tiny flowers.
"The shaded borders of the botanical garden were filled with the delicate, pale pink blooms of masterwort."
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'maisterwort', likely a translation of Medieval Latin 'imperatoria', named for the plant's reputed 'masterful' or sovereign medicinal properties. The suffix '-wort' derives from Old English 'wyrt', meaning plant or root.