scorpionweed en · NOUN
Etymology
From scorpion + weed.
Meanings
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(uncountable) Any plant of the genus Phacelia.
Lyall's scorpionweed is closely related to the more common species silky scorpionweed (Phacelia sericea (Graham) A. Gray) and was once considered a variety of that species.
2001, Linda Kershaw, Rare vascular plants of Alberta, page 184:The name scorpionweed comes from the curling habit of the blossoming flower heads which somewhat resemble the flexed tail of a scorpion in striking position.
1985, Natt Noyes Dodge, Jeanne R. Janish, Flowers of the Southwest deserts, page 109: