Hypertext Webster Gateway: "wallflower"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Wallflower \Wall"flow`er\, n.
1. (Bot.) A perennial, cruciferous plant ({Cheiranthus
Cheiri}), with sweet-scented flowers varying in color from
yellow to orange and deep red. In Europe it very common on
old walls.
Note: The name is sometimes extended to other species of
{Cheiranthus} and of the related genus {Erysimum},
especially the American {Western wallflower} ({Erysimum
asperum}), a biennial herb with orange-yellow flowers.
2. A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not
asked to dance, remains a spectator. [Colloq.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Wallflower \Wall"flow`er\, n. (Bot.)
In Australia, the desert poison bush ({Gastrolobium
grandiflorum}); -- called also {native wallflower}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
wallflower
n 1: any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant
yellow or orange or brownish flowers
2: perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant
flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often
naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in
genus Erysimum [syn: {Cheiranthus cheiri}, {Erysimum
cheiri}]
3: remains on sidelines at social event
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