411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Jupiter's beard
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
Etymology
en la barba Iovis.
Noun
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A common name for various plants:
The red valerian, Centranthus ruber species
en obsolete Aster linosyris species, a European plant with yellow flowers.
The silverbush, Anthyllis barba-jovis species, a European shrub with silvery leaves.
The common houseleek, Sempervivum tectorum species.
1658: Thus nature somewhat after this manner hath ordered the bush in Jupiters beard, or houseleek; which old superstition set on the tops of houses, as a defensative against lightening, and thunder. — Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus (Folio Society 2007, p. 181)
A white-edged fungus, Hyphodontia barba-jovis species.
References
OED, 3rd edition
en eponyms
en Astereae tribe plants Fungi Honeysuckle family plants Legumes Stonecrop family plants Succulents