Arabis glabra
- noun
- Specialized
- The wildflower enthusiast identified the tall, slender plant as Arabis glabra during the nature walk.
Examples
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Extensive fields of Arabis glabra can be seen blooming along roadsides in late spring.
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Arabis glabra is valued by some gardeners for its delicate yellow flowers and upright form.
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The Arabis glabra is commonly found in rocky areas.
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Many gardeners appreciate the beauty of Arabis glabra.
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Arabis glabra is known for its attractive yellow flowers that bloom in spring.
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You can find Arabis glabra growing in various natural habitats across Europe.
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During the hike, we spotted several patches of Arabis glabra near the rocky slopes.
Synonyms
A tall European plant with stiff upright stems and yellow flowers
A tall plant called tower mustard that lives one or two years and has small white flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
Arabis + glabra
This is a Latin binomial (a scientific species name) functioning as a proper noun rather than a compositional English phrase; knowing the genus 'Arabis' and an unknown epithet 'glabra' does not allow a B1 learner to infer 'an erect species of cress.' The specific epithet is not a common English word and botanical naming conventions are specialist knowledge, so the meaning is opaque to most learners.
Etymology
Arabis glabra comes from its scientific parts: Arabis is the plant group and glabra is Latin for 'smooth'. This name points to the plant's smooth stems and leaves, and its common name 'tower mustard' comes from its tall, upright shape, so the name helps you remember how the plant looks.