sabbatia

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of gamopetalous plants of the order Gentianeæ, tribe Chironieæ, and subtribe Erythræeæ. It is characterized by flowers with from five to ten narrow calyx-lobes, a five- to twelve-lobed wheel-shaped corolla, as many stamens with short filaments inserted on its throat, their anthers erect and afterward recurved but not twisted, and a one-celled ovary with projecting placentæ and a thread-shaped style and stigma, the latter with two entire and linear lobes. The 15 species are natives of the United States, extending into Cuba. They are annual or biennial herbs, erect and unbranched or panicled above, bearing opposite sessile leaves, and white or rose-colored flowers, disposed in loose cymes. The flowers are usually numerous and handsome, marked by a small central yellow star, and in the largest species, S. chloroides, are about 2 inches across. This species, from its color and locality, is known as the rose of Plymouth. The various species are called most often by the generic name Sabbatia, and sometimes by the book-name American centaury. The plant is a simple bitter tonic. S. chloroides, S. campestris, and S. angularis are introduced into flower-gardens. See bitter-bloom and rosepink, 3.

Wiktionary

1. n. Sabbatia, a genus of smooth slender North American herbs (family Gentianaceae) with opposite leaves and showy white or rose-pink cymose flowers
2. n. a plant of this genus

WordNet 3.0

1. n. any of various plants of the genus Sabbatia having usually pink cymose flowers; occur from acid bogs to brackish marshes