GREATER WILD BURNET, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 54th order, Miscellanea. The calyx is diphyllous; the germen situated betwixt the calyx and corella. The most remarkable species is the officinalis, with oval spikes. This grows naturally in moist meadows in many parts of Britain. The stalks rise from two to three feet high, branching towards the top; and are terminated by thick oval spikes of flowers of a greyish brown colour, which are divided into four segments almost to the bottom. These are succeeded by four oblong cornered seeds. The leaves of this sort are composed of five or six pair of lobes placed along a midrib, terminated by an odd one. These are heart-shaped, deeply sawed on their edges, and a little downy on their under sides. The cultivation of this plant has been greatly recommended as food to cattle. See Agriculture, n° 48, &c.