witchweed means any of several flowering plants of the genus Striga, from Africa and Asia, some of which are parasitic to crops. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
Etymology
Calque of translingual Striga (literally “witch”). By surface analysis, witch + weed.
noun
- Any of several flowering plants of the genus Striga, from Africa and Asia, some of which are parasitic to crops.“1968, (U.S.) National Research Council: Committee on Plant and Animal Pests: Subcommittee on Weeds, Principles of Plant and Animal Pest Control, Volume 2: Weed Control, National Academy of Sciences Publication 1597, page 43,
The witchweed-suppression program is a classic example of a systems approach to weed management and represents one of the finest organized efforts in the United States to erad”