prince's-feather
Noun: 1. A tall, showy tropical American annual plant (Amaranthus hybridus hypochondriacus or related species) characterized by hairy stems and long spikes of usually red flowers that grow above leaves with a deep purple flush. Its seeds are often used as a cereal grain. 2. An annual plant (Polygonum orientale) with broadly ovate leaves and slender, drooping spikes of crimson flowers, native to southeastern Asia and Australia and naturalized in North America.
The term "prince's-feather" is used specifically as the common name for these two distinct plant species. It is primarily a botanical term.
- The garden's border was vibrant with the deep red spikes of prince's-feather.
- Botanists noted that the prince's-feather growing wild by the creek was the species.
- Some farmers cultivate prince's-feather () for its nutritious, gluten-free seeds.
The name is a compound noun where "prince's" acts as a possessive, suggesting regal or splendid quality, and "feather" describes the plume-like shape of the flower spike. It is used attributively in phrases like "prince's-feather plant."
- Prince's-plume: A less common variant name for the same plants.
- Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate: A common name for .
- Amaranth: The common name for the genus including the first species described.
- Smartweed: A common name for plants in the genus.
- For the first definition (): Red amaranth, purple amaranth, blood amaranth.
- For the second definition (): Oriental persicaria, kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate.
The two primary meanings refer to entirely different plant species from different genera (Amaranthus and Polygonum). They share the common name due to their similar appearance of having tall, feathery, and often red flower spikes. Context or scientific names are needed for precise identification.
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tall showy tropical American annual having hairy stems and long spikes of usually red flowers above leaves deeply flushed with purple; seeds often used as cereal
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annual with broadly ovate leaves and slender drooping spikes of crimson flowers; southeastern Asia and Australia; naturalized in North America
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