Wallflower

2 definitions found

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

  Wallflower \Wall"flow`er\, n.
     1. (Bot.) A perennial, cruciferous plant ({Cheiranthus
        Cheiri}), with sweet-scented flowers varying in color from
        yellow to orange and deep red. In Europe it very common on
        old walls.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: The name is sometimes extended to other species of
           {Cheiranthus} and of the related genus {Erysimum},
           especially the American {Western wallflower} ({Erysimum
           asperum}), a biennial herb with orange-yellow flowers.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not
        asked to dance, remains a spectator. [Colloq.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Bot.) In Australia, the desert poison bush ({Gastrolobium
        grandiflorum}); -- called also {native wallflower}.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  wallflower
       n 1: any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant
            yellow or orange or brownish flowers
       2: perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant
          flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often
          naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in
          genus Erysimum [syn: {Cheiranthus cheiri}, {Erysimum
          cheiri}]
       3: remains on sidelines at social event