\Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See
{Mere} pool, and cf. {Marish}, {Morass}.]
A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or
wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also
{marish}.]

{Marsh asphodel} (Bot.), a plant ({Nartheeium ossifragum})
   with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white
   flowers; -- called also {bog asphodel}.

{Marsh cinquefoil} (Bot.), a plant ({Potentilla palustris})
   having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places;
   marsh five-finger.

{Marsh elder}. (Bot.)
(a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ({Viburnum Opulus}).
(b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt
    marshes ({Iva frutescens}).

{Marsh five-finger}. (Bot.) See {Marsh cinquefoil} (above).


{Marsh gas}. (Chem.) See under {Gas}.

{Marsh grass} (Bot.), a genus ({Spartina}) of coarse grasses
   growing in marshes; -- called also {cord grass}. The tall
   {S. cynosuroides} is not good for hay unless cut very
   young. The low {S. juncea} is a common component of salt
   hay.

{Marsh harrier} (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier
   ({Circus [ae]ruginosus}); -- called also {marsh hawk},
   {moor hawk}, {moor buzzard}, {puttock}.

{Marsh hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A hawk or harrier ({Circus cyaneus}), native of both
    America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above,
    with a white rump. Called also {hen harrier}, and {mouse
    hawk}.
(b) The marsh harrier.

{Marsh hen} (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., {Rallus elegans} of
   fresh-water marshes, and {R. longirostris} of salt-water
   marshes.

{Marsh mallow} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Alth[ae]a} ( {A.
   officinalis}) common in marshes near the seashore, and
   whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.

{Marsh marigold}. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.

{Marsh pennywort} (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous
   genus {Hydrocotyle}; low herbs with roundish leaves,
   growing in wet places; -- called also {water pennywort}.


{Marsh quail} (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.

{Marsh rosemary} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Statice} ({S.
   Limonium}), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully
   astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also
   {sea lavender}.

{Marsh samphire} (Bot.), a plant ({Salicornia herbacea})
   found along seacoasts. See {Glasswort}.

{Marsh St. John's-wort} (Bot.), an American herb ({Elodes
   Virginica}) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored
   flowers.

{Marsh tea}. (Bot.). Same as {Labrador tea}.

{Marsh trefoil}. (Bot.) Same as {Buckbean}.

{Marsh wren} (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens
   of the genus {Cistothorus}, and allied genera. They
   chiefly inhabit salt marshes.