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Glite Dictionary
Amorphophallus paeonifolius

Amorphophallus paeonifolius

9.9
A tropical plant with a large edible tuber used as food and a strong bad-smelling flower
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Amorphophallus paeonifolius
  • Farmers in the region cultivate Amorphophallus paeonifolius for its large edible tubers.

Examples

  • The flower of Amorphophallus paeonifolius is known for its strong, putrid odor.

  • In Filipino cuisine, Amorphophallus paeonifolius is sometimes used in traditional stews.

  • The Amorphophallus paeonifolius is often called the corpse flower.

  • Many people find the smell of Amorphophallus paeonifolius quite unpleasant.

  • Farmers in the region cultivate Amorphophallus paeonifolius for its large edible tubers.

  • In Filipino cuisine, Amorphophallus paeonifolius is sometimes used in traditional stews.

  • The flower of Amorphophallus paeonifolius is known for its strong, putrid odor.

Synonyms

pungapung
vsAmorphophallus paeonifolius
  • Philippine
9.9

A tropical plant with a very bad smell grown for its edible root

highlights the foul-smelling flower specifically rather than only the tuber smell
elephant yam
vsAmorphophallus paeonifolius
  • Indian
9.9

A large plant from Asia with a strong smell grown for its edible root

is the same plant but is not described by large size
telingo potato
vsAmorphophallus paeonifolius
  • Philippine
9.9

A plant with a very strong smell grown in Southeast Asia for its edible root like a potato

uses a scientific botanical name rather than a general common name

Surface Forms

Amorphophallus paeonifolius singular
Amorphophallus paeonifoliuses plural

Morphology

amorphophallus + paeonifolius

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) referring to a specific plant; knowing the genus label 'Amorphophallus' as a plant term does not let a B1 learner infer the species identity, properties (foul-smelling flower, edible tuber), or the common name 'corpse flower'. The species epithet is not a transparent English word and the overall referent is arbitrary and encyclopedic rather than compositionally derived, so the meaning cannot be predicted from the parts.

Etymology

Amorphophallus paeonifolius gets its name from old Greek and Latin parts: amorpho- ('odd-shaped') + phallus (a long central stalk) and paeoni- + -folius ('peony-like leaves'). So the name paints an easy picture — a plant with a strange, smelly flower stalk and leaves like a peony, which helps you remember this smelly plant with an edible root.