What is "aaron's beard"

n. 1 A common name for several plants, which have tufts of stamens.(R:SOED5: page=2)(R:MW3 1976: page=3) (First attested in the late 19^th century.) 2 # (taxlink Cymbalaria muralis species noshow=1) ((vern ivy-leaved toadflax pedia=1), (vern Kenilworth ivy pedia=1)) 3 # (taxlink Hypericum calycinum species noshow=1) ((vern great St. John's-wort pedia=1), (vern Jerusalem star pedia=1)) 4 # (taxlink Saxifraga stolonifera species noshow=1) ((vern creeping saxifrage pedia=1), (vern strawberry geranium pedia=1)) 5 # (taxlink Opuntia leucotricha species noshow=1) ((vern arborescent prickly pear pedia=1), Aaron's beard cactus) 6 (&lit Aaron 's beard English)

Aaron's beard may refer to the following plants having numerous stamens or threadlike runners:

• Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Kenilworth Ivy), native to south and southwest Europe
• Hypericum calycinum (Great St. John's-wort, Jerusalem Star), widely cultivated.
• Saxifraga stolonifera (Creeping Saxifrage, Strawberry Geranium), native to Asia.
• Opuntia leucotricha (Arborescent Prickly Pear, Aaron's Beard Cactus), a species of prickly pear cactus, endemic to Mexico.

The name derives from a Biblical quotation referring to the patriarch Aaron:

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments"
-- Psalm 133:1-2 ( King James Version)

Plants named Aaron's beard

Cymbalaria muralis close up.jpg|Cymbalaria muralis Hypericum calycinum Tasmania.jpg|Hypericum calycinum Saxifraga stolonifera Harvest Moon 2.jpg|Saxifraga stolonifera Opuntia leucotricha Bl.jpg|Opuntia leucotricha