Definition

Noun: 1. A garden plant of the genus Alyssum: A common name for any of various low-growing plants, typically from the genus Alyssum, characterized by clusters of small, often yellow or white flowers. These plants are frequently used in rock gardens or as border plants.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The gardener planted madwort along the edge of the path for a splash of early spring color.
  • Madwort is valued for its ability to thrive in poor, dry soil.
  • The sweet fragrance of the white madwort filled the air.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Etymological Usage: The name "madwort" originates from the old belief that the plant could be used as a remedy or antidote for rabies (once called "hydrophobia" or "madness") in dogs. This usage is now entirely historical and not based on modern science.
  • In medieval herbals, madwort was listed among plants thought to cure the bite of a mad dog.

Variants and Related Words

• Alyssum (n): The botanical genus name, which is the more common and precise term used in gardening and horticulture today.
  • Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is often confused with true madwort (Alyssum species).
• Basket-of-gold (n): A common name for (formerly classified as ), a popular yellow-flowered perennial often referred to as madwort.
• Gold-dust (n): Another common name for the plant.

Synonyms

• Alyssum (n): The direct scientific synonym.
• Goldentuft (n): A name sometimes used for yellow-flowering species.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "madwort" has no other common modern meanings. Its use is almost exclusively botanical and historical. It is not used in idioms or phrasal verbs.

Noun

1. any garden plant of the genus Alyssum having clusters of small yellow or white flowers