birthwort
/ˈbɜrθˌwɜrt/
noun
- A plant of the genus Aristolochia, historically used in herbal medicine to aid childbirth, but now known to be toxic.
- Birthwort has distinctive pipe-shaped flowers that attract specific insects.
- Modern research warns that birthwort contains harmful compounds and should not be consumed.
- Ancient herbalists prescribed birthwort to help with difficult labor.
Synonyms