devil's paintbrush: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, chiefly botanical/horticultural
Quick answer
What does “devil's paintbrush” mean?
a common name for the orange hawkweed plant (Pilosella aurantiaca), a wildflower with bright orange flowers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a common name for the orange hawkweed plant (Pilosella aurantiaca), a wildflower with bright orange flowers
Refers specifically to the invasive, vividly colored perennial plant; sometimes used metaphorically to describe something deceptively attractive yet troublesome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in North American (especially Canadian and Northeastern US) regional use for the plant. In the UK, 'orange hawkweed' is the standard term, though 'devil's paintbrush' is understood.
Connotations
In both, implies a weed or nuisance plant. In North America, may carry stronger folkloric or rustic connotations.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation; primarily used by gardeners, botanists, or in nature writing.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's paintbrush” in a Sentence
The [field/meadow] is overrun with devil's paintbrush.We need to eradicate the devil's paintbrush.Devil's paintbrush has [spread/taken hold].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devil's paintbrush” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The devil's paintbrush is quite a problem in the Lake District, crowding out native flora.
- I spotted a clump of devil's paintbrush near the footpath.
American English
- This Vermont pasture is full of devil's paintbrush.
- We're trying to stop the devil's paintbrush from taking over the meadow.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in botanical texts or ecology papers discussing invasive species.
Everyday
Used by gardeners or hikers to identify the plant.
Technical
Scientific name Pilosella aurantiaca is preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's paintbrush”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “devil's paintbrush”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's paintbrush”
- Misidentifying other orange flowers (e.g., Indian paintbrush) as devil's paintbrush.
- Using 'devil's paintbrush' in formal scientific writing instead of the Latin name.
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun (usually not capitalized).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not considered toxic to humans or livestock, but it is an aggressive, invasive weed.
It is generally discouraged as it spreads rapidly and can overtake other plants. It is best suited for wild, naturalized areas where containment is possible.
They are completely different plants. Devil's paintbrush (orange hawkweed) has orange, dandelion-like flowers and is invasive. Indian paintbrush (Castilleja) has brightly coloured, spikey bracts in red, orange, or yellow and is often a native wildflower.
The 'devil' part references its troublesome, weedy, and hard-to-control nature. 'Paintbrush' describes the shape and vibrant orange colour of the flower clusters.
a common name for the orange hawkweed plant (Pilosella aurantiaca), a wildflower with bright orange flowers.
Devil's paintbrush is usually informal, chiefly botanical/horticultural in register.
Devil's paintbrush: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdev.əlz ˈpeɪnt.brʌʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdev.əlz ˈpeɪnt.brʌʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like the devil's paintbrush (spreading rapidly and vividly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a mischievous devil painting a field bright orange with a tiny brush – that's the invasive flower.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS DECEPTIVE / INVASION IS A FORCE (the plant's attractiveness masks its weedy, spreading nature).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'devil's paintbrush' primarily known as?