Definition

Noun 1. A North American perennial plant: A specific type of flowering plant (Antennaria plantaginifolia), also commonly known as "plantain-leaved pussytoes" or "woman's tobacco." It is characterized by its propagation through runners (stolons) and its soft, woolly leaves which historically were sometimes used as a tobacco substitute.

Usage Notes

• "Lady's tobacco" is a compound noun that functions as the common name for this specific plant species. It is typically used in botanical, horticultural, or naturalist contexts.
• It is often written with an apostrophe-s ('s) as shown.
• As a proper common name, it is not typically pluralized (e.g., "a patch of lady's tobacco").

Examples

• Noun:
  • We identified several native species in the meadow, including lady's tobacco.
  • The soft, gray leaves of lady's tobacco form dense mats on the forest floor.
  • This field guide mentions that lady's tobacco spreads primarily by runners.

Advanced Usage

• The name is part of a historical folk tradition, referencing the practice of using the dried leaves as a mild substitute for tobacco, particularly by women.

Variants and Related Words

• Plantain-leaved pussytoes: Another common name for the same plant ().
• Woman's tobacco: A direct synonym for "lady's tobacco."
• Antennaria: The botanical genus name for pussytoes, which includes lady's tobacco.
• Pussytoes: The common name for the genus , referring to the soft, fuzzy flower heads.

Synonyms

• Plantain-leaved pussytoes
• Woman's tobacco

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years.
• Runner (stolon): A horizontal stem that grows along the ground and can take root to form a new plant.
• Herbaceous: Referring to plants with non-woody stems.

Noun

1. North American perennial propagated by means of runners