visnaga

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A name applied in the Mediterranean region to Ammi Visnaga, a carrot-like plant, the peduncles of which become dilated into disks which boar the umbel-rays. These harden into spines and become erect and connivent. They are used for toothpicks, giving to the plant the name toothpick, or picktooth-plant. See picktooth, 2.
2. n. In Mexico and the southwestern United States, a name applied by the Spanish colonists to species of Echinocactus and Coryphantha, fleshy, cylindrical plants which bear stout spines and contain a watery pulp. In the desert of Arizona Echinocactus Wislizeni and E. Emoryi, sometimes called barrel-cactus, yield a refreshing substitute for drinking-water; and in Mexico the pulp of several species, including E. ingens, is cut into slices and made into sweetmeats. Also written bisnada and bisnaga.