Eryngium

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Eryngium \E*ryn"gi*um\ ([-e]*r[i^]n"j[i^]*[u^]m), n. [NL., fr.
     Gr. 'hry`ggion, dim. of 'h`ryggos eryngo; cf. L. eryngion,
     erynge.] (Bot.)
     A large genus of umbelliferous plants somewhat like thistles
     in appearance, cosmopolitan in distribution. {Eryngium
     maritimum}, or sea holly, has been highly esteemed as an


     aphrodisiac, the roots being formerly candied.
  
     Syn: genus {Eryngium}.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Eryngium
       n : large genus of decorative plants with thistlelike flower
           heads; cosmopolitan in distribution [syn: {genus Eryngium}]