LUNGWORT

Etymology

Noun

lungwort (plural lungworts)

Any of various European plants, of the genus Pulmonaria (family Boraginaceae), that were once used to treat respiratory disorders.

Any of several other, unrelated plants, used to treat respiratory disorders

Hieracium murorum (in family Asteraceae, French lungwort or golden lungwort)

Helleborus niger (family Ranunculaceae, black lungwort)

Mertensia (family Boraginaceae)

Mertensia virginica (American lungwort, lungwort oysterleaf, smooth lungwort, tree lungwort)

Mertensia maritima (sea lungwort)

Verbascum thapsus (in family Scrophulariaceae, bullock's lungwort, cow's lungwort or clown's lungwort)

Lobaria pulmonaria, syn. Stichta pulmonacea, (in family Lobariaceae, lungwort lichen, lung lichen, tree lungwort)

Source: Wiktionary

Lung"wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) An herb of the genus Pulmonaria (P. officinalis), of Europe; -- so called because the spotted appearance of the leaves resembles that of a diseased lung. (b) Any plant of the genus Mertensia (esp. M. Virginica and M. Sibirica) plants nearly related to Pulmonaria. The American lungwort is Mertensia Virginica, Virginia cowslip. Gray. Cow's lungwort mullein.

– Sea lungwort, Mertensia maritima, found on the seacoast of Northern Europe and America.

– Tree lungwort, a lichen (Sticta pulmonacea) growing on trees and rocks. The thallus is lacunose, and in appearance somewhat resembles the lungs, for diseases of which it was once thought a remedy.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition