What does lungwort mean?
Lungwort is a common name for several different plants, most commonly the flowering herbs in the genus Pulmonaria. These plants are recognizable by their spotted foliage and tubular flowers, which may be blue, pink, purple, or occasionally white. The name also belongs to Lobaria pulmonaria, a large lichen whose ridged, branching body was likened to the lobes of a human lung. Lungwort's association with the respiratory system comes from the belief that a plant resembling an affected organ could treat its corresponding disease. It was therefore used medicinally in Europe before modern methods of treatment made such assumptions unreliable. Today, lungwort is valued chiefly as an ornamental perennial for shaded gardens, particularly common lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis. Because the name covers different genera as well as a lichen, the intended species is usually identified by its scientific name or by a modifier such as “common lungwort.”
nounAny of various plants called lungwort, especially flowering herbs of the genus Pulmonaria with spotted leaves and blue, pink, or purple flowers. The name also refers to the lung-shaped lichen Lobaria pulmonaria.
- Any flowering herb of the genus Pulmonaria, especially the common lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis.
- The lichen Lobaria pulmonaria, whose broad, ridged lobes resemble the shape of lungs.
"Common lungwort brightened the shaded border with clusters of delicate blue flowers."
"The gardener planted lungwort beneath the trees, where its blue flowers would receive dappled shade."
"She studied a dried lungwort lichen to understand its branching structure and deeply lobed shape."
Used when referring to multiple plants collectively or to several distinct species bearing the common name.
"Several lungworts flourish in the woodland garden despite the dense shade."
Lungwort was named for lungs, but its spotted leaves fooled people into believing that resemblance could make it medicine for the chest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lungwort come from?
English lungwort is a compound formed from “lung” and “wort,” the latter being an old word for a herb or plant. Its history reflects the older doctrine that outwardly similar plants could heal corresponding parts of the body, since the mottled leaves of certain Pulmonaria species were thought to resemble diseased lungs. The lichen Lobaria pulmonaria also bears a name meaning “lung lichen,” likewise reflecting its lung-like form. The component represented by “lung” is historically related to words such as pulmonary, pulmonic, and pulmonology, all associated with the Latin root for the lung.
How lungwort is actually used
Lungwort is a common name rather than a single botanical species. It historically appeared in medicinal preparations, but its name and former use should not be taken as evidence of medical effectiveness for lung conditions.