What is "robin's plantain"

Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. Plant.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the Plantago major, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe, but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all parts of the world.

Indian plantain. (Bot.) See under Indian.

Mud plantain, a homely North American aquatic plant ( Heteranthera reniformis), having broad, reniform leaves.

Rattlesnake plantain, an orchidaceous plant ( Goodyera pubescens), with the leaves blotched and spotted with white.

Ribwort plantain. See Ribwort.

Robin's plantain, the Erigeron bellidifolium, a common daisylike plant of North America.

Water plantain, a plant of the genus Alisma, having acrid leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against hydrophobia.
--Loudon.

Robin \Rob"in\, n. [Properly a pet name for Robert, originally meaning, famebright; F., fron OHG. Roudperht; ruod (in comp.; akin to AS. hr?? glory, fame, Goth. hr?peigs victorius) + beraht bright. See Bright, Hob a clown.] (Zo["o]l.)

1. A small European singing bird ( Erythacus rubecula), having a reddish breast; -- called also robin redbreast, robinet, and ruddock.

2. An American singing bird ( Merula migratoria), having the breast chestnut, or dull red. The upper parts are olive-gray, the head and tail blackish. Called also robin redbreast, and migratory thrush.

3. Any one of several species of Australian warblers of the genera Petroica, Melanadrays, and allied genera; as, the scarlet-breasted robin ( Petroica mullticolor).

4. Any one of several Asiatic birds; as, the Indian robins. See Indian robin, below. Beach robin (Zo["o]l.), the robin snipe, or knot. See Knot. Blue-throated robin. (Zo["o]l.) See Bluethroat. Canada robin (Zo["o]l.), the cedar bird. Golden robin (Zo["o]l.), the Baltimore oriole. Ground robin (Zo["o]l.), the chewink. Indian robin (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Asiatic saxoline birds of the genera Thamnobia and Pratincola. They are mostly black, usually with some white on the wings. Magrie robin (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic singing bird ( Corsycus saularis), having the back, head, neck, and breast black glossed with blue, the wings black, and the belly white. Ragged robin. (Bot.) See under Ragged. Robin accentor (Zo["o]l.), a small Asiatic singing bird ( Accentor rubeculoides), somewhat resembling the European robin. Robin redbreast. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. The European robin.

   2. The American robin.

   3. The American bluebird. Robin snipe. (Zo["o]l.)

      1. The red-breasted snipe, or dowitcher.

      2. The red-breasted sandpiper, or knot. Robin's plantain. (Bot.) See under Plantain. Sea robin. (Zo["o]l.)

         1. Any one of several species of American gurnards of the genus Prionotus. They are excellent food fishes. Called also wingfish. The name is also applied to a European gurnard.

         2. The red-breasted merganser, or sheldrake. [Local, U.S.]

            Water robin (Zo["o]l.), a redstart ( Ruticulla fuliginosa), native of India.

n. common perennial of eastern North America having flowers with usually violet-purple rays [syn: Erigeron pulchellus]

Robin's plantain or poor Robin's plantain is a common name for several plants native to eastern North America and may refer to:

• Erigeron pulchellus in the Asteraceae family. E. pulchellus has white or pink flowers.
• Erigeron philadelphicus, also in the Asteraceae family.
• Hieracium venosum in the Asteraceae family. H. venosum has yellow flowers.

Image:Erigeron pulchellus.jpg| Erigeron pulchellus Fleabane.jpg| Erigeron philadelphicus Hieracium venosum rattlesnake weed plant.jpg| Hieracium venosum