[f. STONE sb. + WORT. Cf. G. steinwurz.] Name for several different plants.
† 1. The fern Asplenium Ceterach, also called stone fern (STONE sb. 20 c). Obs.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 135/1. Scolopendrium, calcifraga,… fingerferne: ceterach or stonewoort.
1647. Hexham, I. (Herbs), Fingerferne, or stone-wort, Steen-varen.
2. With defining words, applied to species of Sison and other umbelliferous plants. (Cf. STONE-PARSLEY.)
1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), II. 300. Sison Amomum.… Bastard Stone Parsley. Hedge Stonewort. Ibid. [S.] segetum.… Corn Parsley, or Stonewort.
1799. J. Hull, Brit. Flora, I. 62. Sison inundatum.… Water Stonewort. Ibid. Sison verticillatum.… Verticillate Stonewort.
1865. Sowerby’s Eng. Bot. (ed. 3), IV. 107. Sison Amomum.… Hedge Stonewort. Ibid., 108. Trinia vulgaris.… Glabrous Stonewort.
3. A book-name for the genus Chara, from the calcareous deposits on the stem; also extended to the N.O. Characeæ.
1816. T. Green, Univ. Herbal, I. 285. Chara Tomentosa; Brittle Chara, or Stonewort. Ibid. Chara Vulgaris; Common or Stinking Chara, or Stonewort. Ibid. Chara Flexilis; Smooth Chara, or Stonewort.
1854. A. Adams, etc. Man. Nat. Hist., 535. Stone-worts (Characeæ).
1875. Huxley & Martin, Elem. Biol., 42. Stoneworts (Chara and Nitella).
