pellitory
n 1: herb that grows in crevices having long narrow leaves and
small pink apetalous flowers [syn: {pellitory-of-the-wall},
{wall pellitory}, {pellitory}, {Parietaria difussa}]
2: a small Mediterranean plant containing a volatile oil once
used to relieve toothache [syn: {pellitory}, {pellitory-of-
Spain}, {Anacyclus pyrethrum}]
Pellitory \Pel"li*to*ry\, n. [Sp. pelitre, fr. L. pyrethrum. See
{Bertram}.] (Bot.)
(a) A composite plant ({Anacyclus Pyrethrum}) of the
Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and
whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and
is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also
{bertram}, and {pellitory of Spain}.
(b) The feverfew ({Chrysanthemum Parthenium}); -- so called
because it resembles the above.
[1913 Webster]
Pellitory \Pel"li*to*ry\, n. [OE. paritorie, OF. paritoire, F.
pari['e]taire; (cf. It. & Sp. parietaria), L. parietaria the
parietary, or pellitory, the wall plant, fr. parietarius
belonging to the walls, fr. paries, parietis a wall. Cf.
{Parietary}.] (Bot.)
The common name of the several species of the genus
{Parietaria}, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; --
also called {wall pellitory}, and {lichwort}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: {Parietaria officinalis} is common on old walls in
Europe; {Parietaria pennsylvanica} is found in the
United States; and six or seven more species are found
near the Mediterranean, or in the Orient.
[1913 Webster]