germander, in botany: A genus of plants belonging to the class of didynamia, and order of gymnophyta; and in the natural system ranging under the 4th order, Verticillatae. The corolla has no upper lip, is divided into two parts beyond the base, and is divaricated where the stamens issue out. There are 30 species; of which the scorodonia, scordium, and chamomile, are natives of Great Britain.

1. The scorodonia, wood-fage, or germander, is distinguished by leaves which are heart-shaped, serrated, and petiolated; by racemi, which are lateral and ranged in one row; and by an erect stem. The flowers are straw-coloured, and the filaments red. The plant has a bitter taste, and smells like hops with a little mixture of garlic. It is used in brewing in the Isle of Jersey instead of hops. 2. The scordium, or common water-germander, hath creeping perennial roots, sending up many square, procumbent, or trailing stalks, branching diffusely; oblong, indented, serrated, close fitting, opposite leaves; and small reddish flowers, generally two together, from the sides of the stalks and branches, in July and August. This plant was formerly considered as medicinal, but has now fallen into disuse. It grows naturally in marshy places, in the Isle of Ely and other parts of England, and most parts of Europe; and is sometimes admitted into gardens, in moist places, for variety, and as a medical plant. 3. The chamomile, or smaller creeping germander, hath fibrous, very creeping, spreading roots; many four-cornered, very branchy, trailing stalks, near a foot long; oval, cuneiform, cut, crenated leaves on short footstalks; and reddish flowers, growing almost in a verticillus, or whorls, round the stalk, three on each peduncle; appearing in June and July.