yellow archangel
yellow archangel Lexical Profile
• noun
A trailing, perennial woodland plant (Lamium galeobdolon) in the mint family, native to Europe and Western Asia, characterized by square stems, whorls of hooded yellow flowers, and toothed leaves that are often variegated with silver.
"Many homeowners regret planting yellow archangel in their gardens, as its aggressive spreading habit allows it to quickly escape cultivation and overtake native woodland flora."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name combines 'yellow' for its floral color with 'archangel', a historic common name applied to deadnettles (non-stinging members of the mint family). The term 'archangel' likely arose because these plants were associated with the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, or because their lack of stinging hairs made them seem 'angelic' compared to true nettles.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.