Meaning of Patterson's curse | Babel Free

Definitions

The plant Echium plantagineum, considered a noxious weed in Australia.

Australia, uncountable

Examples

“1905 J. H. Maiden, Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, xvi.268, Quoted in 1985, G. A. Wilkes, A Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms, second edition, Sydney University Press⟳, →ISBN, That ‘Paterson’s Curse’ produces some feed⟳ is undoubted, but it is a smothering, rough, coarse plant⟳ ... the vernacular name⟳ ‘Curse’ shows what many people think⟳ of it.”

“In spring⟳ the fields near the river are covered with beautiful mauve flowers, another pest, known as Patterson’s curse.”

“1991, Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land⟳ Management, Landscope: The Journal of the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land⟳ Management, Volumes 7-9, page 42, A plant⟳ with tough seeds such as Patterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) or caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) can easily be spread⟳ in this way, as can plants that reproduce⟳ vegetatively.”

“1995, John Marsden, A Killing Frost, 1998 US edition (originally published 1995, in Australia, as The Third Day, The Frost), unnumbered page, They came swarming across the land⟳, like⟳ locusts, like⟳ mice, like⟳ Patterson’s Curse.”

CEFR level