gilly weed FLORA, MEDICINE — A plant. A gilly weed is a common plant that grows near (and in some cases in) water. It is also found in grasslands during springtime when rain is more plentiful, but the summer sun typically kills them. Gilly weed is often used in tourniquets and as an appliqué after it is crushed and combined with a fastening compound, such as mud or dough, to reduce inflammation and withdraw floral poisons that may have caused skin irritations. When budding, gilly weed produces delicate purple flowers which release their petals. The petals are so fine, they often appear semi-translucent and may float in the air. These are called → gilly kisses. Though the petals have no known medicinal value, they are considered lucky.