wormwood

A shrublike plant that belongs to the aster family and has a bitter taste. The plant is often used as a metaphor for bitterness and sorrow (Prov 5:4; Lam 3:15; Lam 3:19; Amos 5:7; Amos 6:12). In (Jer 9:15 and Jer 23:15), God’s punishment of the people of Israel is described in terms of wormwood and poisoned water. (Rev 8:11) describes a star called “Wormwood” falling to earth, turning part of the waters into wormwood and killing many people.