Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial herb of the genus Doronicum: Any of several related herbaceous plants, characterized by alternate leaves that often clasp the stem, and cultivated primarily for their tall stalks bearing yellow, daisy-like flower heads.

Usage

• Leopard's-bane is a common name for a group of garden plants valued for their bright spring flowers.
• The term is used specifically in horticulture and botany to refer to these plants.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The name "leopard's-bane" historically suggested the plant was poisonous or used as a remedy against leopard attacks, though this is folkloric and not based on the plant's actual properties.

Variants and Related Words

• Doronicum (n): The botanical genus name for leopard's-bane.
• Herbaceous perennial (n): A plant category that includes leopard's-bane, describing non-woody plants that live for multiple years.

Synonyms

• Doronicum (the scientific name is the most precise synonym).
• Yellow chamomile (a less common and sometimes inaccurate common name due to the flower's resemblance).

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning refers to the ornamental plant genus . The "bane" part of the name is archaic, indicating something that destroys or wards off (in this case, a leopard), but this is not a reflection of the plant's modern use or toxicity.

Noun

1. any of several herbs of the genus Doronicum having alternate often clasping stem leaves cultivated for their long stalks of yellow flower heads