LYCHNIS

lychnis, catchfly

(noun) mostly perennial herbs with sticky stems that catch insects; widespread in north temperate zone

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

From the genus name.

Noun

lychnis (plural lychnises)

(botany) Any of the genus Lychnis of flowering plants.

Source: Wiktionary

Lych"nis, n. Etym: [L., a kind of red flower, Gr. lychni`s; cf. ly`chnos a lamp.] (Bot.)

Definition: A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family (Caryophyllaceæ). 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 Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition