Lychnis \Lych"nis\, n. [L., a kind of red flower, Gr. lychni`s;
cf. ly`chnos a lamp.]
(Bot.)
A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family
(Caryophyllace[ae]). Most of the species have brilliantly
colored flowers and cottony leaves, which may have anciently
answered as wicks for lamps. The botanical name is in common
use for the garden species. The corn cockle (Lychnis
Githago) is a common weed in wheat fields.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|