John's wort

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of numerous herbs or shrubs of the genus Hypericum, typically bearing yellow five-petaled flowers

   John's wort grew beside the goldenrod in the dry pasture.

2. 2
   noun

   the dried flowering parts of Hypericum perforatum used in herbal preparations

   The pharmacist warned that John's wort can interact with prescription medicines.

Shortened from Saint John's wort, after St. John; the plant was traditionally gathered around the Feast of St. John on June 24. Wort is the Old English plant-name element wyrt, 'herb or plant.' John's-wort is independently dictionary-attested, while Thoreau's johnswort is a closed, apostropheless historical spelling.

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