witches broom

Dense twig cluster

Witches broom is an abnormal dense cluster of twigs or branches growing from a single point on a tree, caused by fungi, mites, or other parasites.

The tangled mass resembles a broom and was once superstitiously attributed to witches.

Also spelled witch's broom or witches' broom.

Related

hag · pointed hat · spell · dark magic · cackling · pointy hat · midnight · full moon · black cat · enchanted · sweeping · gnarled · twisted · bird's nest · fungus · plant disease · deformity · growth

Opposites
plant health status

witches broomdisease-free

Lacking any pathology

uninfected · plant health · thriving · asymptomatic

Family

witch, witches, witchy, witchcraft, witchery, bewitched, bewitch, broom, brooms

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G