Definition

1. Noun:
   • A perennial cottony-white herb native to the southwestern United States.
   • Any plant belonging to the genus Filago, characterized by dense, woolly, capitate clusters of small flower heads.
   • Any of numerous plants within the genus Gnaphalium, known for flowers that can be dried while retaining their form and color.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The arid landscape was dotted with patches of silvery cudweed.
  • Botanists study various species of cudweed for their unique adaptations to dry climates.
  • She collected cudweed for a dried flower arrangement because it holds its shape so well.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical contexts: The term is used to specifically refer to members of the genera and within the aster family (Asteraceae).
  • The classification of some cudweed species has been revised from Gnaphalium to other genera.

Variants and Related Words

• Everlasting: A common name for some species, referring to the long-lasting quality of the dried flowers.
• Cottonweed: Another vernacular name for certain cudweeds, alluding to their woolly appearance.

Synonyms

• Gnaphalium (scientific genus name)
• Filago (scientific genus name)
• Everlasting flower (for some species)

Related Phrases

• Dried cudweed: Refers to the plant material after the drying process, often used in crafts.
  • The wreath was decorated with dried cudweed and lavender.

Related Idioms

(No common idioms directly incorporate the word "cudweed.")

Noun

1. perennial cottony-white herb of southwestern United States
2. any plant of the genus Filago having capitate clusters of small woolly flower heads
3. any of numerous plants of the genus Gnaphalium having flowers that can be dried without loss of form or color