scorpionweed

scorpionweed

English

Wikispecies

Etymology

scorpion +‎ weed

Noun

scorpionweed (uncountable)

1. Any plant of the genus Phacelia.
   • 1985, Natt Noyes Dodge & Jeanne R. Janish, Flowers of the Southwest deserts, page 109:

     The name scorpionweed comes from the curling habit of the blossoming flower heads which somewhat resemble the flexed tail of a scorpion in striking position.

   • 2001, Linda Kershaw, Rare vascular plants of Alberta, page 184:

     Lyall's scorpionweed is closely related to the more common species silky scorpionweed (Phacelia sericea (Graham) A. Gray) and was once considered a variety of that species.

Synonyms

• phacelia