pilewort

Plural: pileworts

Noun

• A small, low-growing plant, traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
• perennial herb native to Europe but naturalized elsewhere having heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers resembling buttercups; its tuberous roots have been used as a poultice to relieve piles
• Any of various not closely related plants traditionally supposed to be effective in treating piles (hemorrhoids), especially
• Erechtites hieraciifolius, or fireweed, a plant in the aster family;
• Any of various not closely related plants traditionally supposed to be effective in treating piles (hemorrhoids), especially
• Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculus ficaria), lesser celandine, a plant in the buttercup family.

Examples

• Unearthing PILEWORT from my tiles was a botanical miracle that boosted my Words With Friends score.

Synonyms

lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria