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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tree lungwort

Lungwort \Lung"wort`\, n. (Bot.)

  1. An herb of the genus Pulmonaria ( Pulmonaria officinalis), of Europe; -- so called because the spotted appearance of the leaves resembles that of a diseased lung.

  2. Any plant of the genus Mertensia (esp. Mertensia Virginica and Mertensia Sibirica), plants nearly related to Pulmonaria. The American lungwort is Mertensia Virginica, Virginia cowslip.
    --Gray.

    Cow's lungwort mullein.

    Sea lungwort, Mertensia maritima, found on the seacoast of Northern Europe and America.

    Tree lungwort, a lichen ( Sticta pulmonacea) growing on trees and rocks. The thallus is lacunose, and in appearance somewhat resembles the lungs, for diseases of which it was once thought a remedy.