American spikenard
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈspaɪkˌnɑrd/
- US
:
espikenardo americano
- Native Americans valued the roots of American spikenard for medicinal purposes.
Examples
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Botanists distinguish American spikenard from its relatives by its panicled flower clusters and strong aroma.
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The woodland path was lined with the tall, leafy stems of American spikenard.
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The American spikenard grows in rich, moist soil.
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Many herbalists value American spikenard for its medicinal properties.
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Botanists distinguish American spikenard from its relatives by its panicled flower clusters and strong aroma.
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Native Americans valued the roots of American spikenard for their medicinal properties.
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The woodland path was lined with the tall, leafy stems of American spikenard.
Synonyms
A North American plant with aromatic roots used in traditional medicine
A woody plant that lives for many years with groups of small flowers and strong-smelling roots
A woody plant from southeastern North America to Mexico with strong-smelling roots and clusters of small flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'American' specifies origin and 'spikenard' names the aromatic plant/ointment, so the phrase denotes the American variety of spikenard. This compositional pattern (origin modifier + noun) is common cross-linguistically and thus a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
American spikenard may come from the old word spikenard, which named a fragrant root used as perfume and 'medicine'. Early settlers used the same name for a North American plant with strong-smelling roots, so the name tells you the plant's scent and its traditional use.
