a generic term for plants belonging to the sunflower family because of their resinous secretion and pungent scent
tarweed in American English
(ˈtɑːrˌwid)
noun
any of several resinous or gummy, composite plants of the genus Grindelia, having solitary flower heads
Word origin
[1865–70, Amer.; tar1 + weed1]This word is first recorded in the period 1865–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: black belt, dunk, maverick, racism, springboard