[WORT sb.1] A name for several distinct plants. † a. In early use identified with MAIDENHAIR (i.e., either Adiantum Capillus-Veneris or Asplenium Trichomanes, or both). Obs. b. Any plant of the genus Elatine. c. Applied by Lindley to plants of the order Philydraceæ, native to Australia and Eastern Asia.
a. c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., I. 24. Herba galli tricus ꝥ is wæter wyrt.
a. 1400–50. Stockh. Med. MS., p. 176. Maydenheer or water-wourt: capillus virginis.
1541. Bk. Properties Herbs, B viij. Capillus veneris. This herbe is called Mayden here or waterworte.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, Suppl., Waterwort is Maidenhayre.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 182. Waterwort with new Lard, applyed to the sore, easeth the same.
b. 1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), II. 387. Elatine Alsinastrum. Water-wort.
1816–20. T. Green, Univ. Herbal, I. 489. Elatine Hydropiper; Opposite-leaved Waterwort. Ibid. Elatine Alsinastrum; Whorl-leaved Waterwort.
1848. Johns, Week at Lizard, 286. Elatine hexandra. Water-wort, a minute succulent plant, with greenish flowers of three petals.
c. 1846. Lindley, Veg. Kingd., 186.
