1. an African plant, Cyperus alternifolius, of the sedge family, that has several stems growing directly upward from a mass of roots and an umbrella-shaped cluster of leaves at the top of each stem.
2. North Midland U.S. the May apple plant.
3. Also called wild buckwheat . any of various plants belonging to the genus Eriogonum, of the buckwheat family, native to the western U.S. and Mexico, having rounded heads or umbels of white, yellow, or red flowers.
[ 1870-75 ]