Skip to main content
wartwort

wartwort

9.9
A small European wildflower with flowers that face the sun and is thought to cure warts
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : euphorbia
  • We noticed a patch of wartwort turning its blooms toward the midday sun.

Examples

  • The wartwort grows in open fields throughout Europe and is easily recognized by its unusual flowers.

  • Folklore held that applying crushed wartwort leaves could help remove warts.

  • The wartwort blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • Many herbalists use wartwort for its medicinal properties.

  • Folklore held that applying crushed wartwort leaves could help remove warts.

  • The wartwort grows in open fields throughout Europe and is easily recognized by its unusual flowers.

  • We noticed a patch of wartwort turning its blooms toward the midday sun.

Synonyms

Euphorbia helioscopia
vswartwort
  • Specialized
9.9

A small common plant with yellow-green flowers that turn toward the sun

is the traditional wildflower thought to cure warts rather than the scientific name
sun spurge
vswartwort
  • UK
9.9

A small weed from Europe with yellow-green flowers that turn toward the sun

is seen as a medicinal wildflower believed to cure warts unlike a plain weed
devil's milk
vswartwort
  • UK
9.9

A European weed with milky sap and small yellow flowers that face the sun

is valued in tradition for curing warts more than for its sap
wartweed
vswartwort
  • UK
9.9

A European weed with small flowers that turn toward the sun

is treated as a traditional remedy thought to remove warts rather than an ornamental

Surface Forms

wartwort singular
wartworts plural

Morphology

wartwort = wart + wort (semi-transparent) = wart + wort

The compound literally combines 'wart' and the plant-name element 'wort', so the relation is direct, but 'wort' is archaic/rare and not known to many learners.

Etymology

Wartwort is a simple compound of wart ('wart') and wort ('plant' or 'herb'), so it literally means a 'wart plant' and was named for its use in old folk medicine to treat warts. That's why this small European wildflower keeps a name that points to its old reputation as a cure for warts.