Cortaderia selloana

9.6

A tall grass with silvery feathery flower heads often grown in gardens

noun

Specialized

: Cortaderia selloana

Many landscapers use Cortaderia selloana for its tall, showy plumes and dramatic effect.

Examples

The garden featured a striking display of Cortaderia selloana swaying in the breeze.
Many homeowners choose Cortaderia selloana for landscaping.
Because Cortaderia selloana spreads quickly, it can become invasive in some regions.
The garden was filled with beautiful Cortaderia selloana.
Many landscapers use Cortaderia selloana for its tall, showy plumes and dramatic effect.
The garden featured a striking display of Cortaderia selloana swaying in the breeze.
Because Cortaderia selloana spreads quickly, it can become invasive in some regions.

Synonyms

pampas grass

vsCortaderia selloana

6.8

A tall grass with large feathery flower heads grown in gardens

is the formal botanical name used in scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Cortaderia selloana singular

Cortaderia selloanas plural

Morphology

Cortaderia + selloana

This is a Latin binomial: the first element names the genus (Cortaderia, a type of ornamental/pampas grass), so a learner who knows that word can infer it refers to a particular kind of that grass. The species epithet 'selloana' is a Latinized name element that carries no transparent, compositional meaning for most learners, so the full, specific sense cannot be derived without prior exposure or botanical knowledge.

Etymology

Cortaderia selloana is the scientific name for the tall plant known as 'pampas grass', with silvery, feathery plumes often grown in gardens. The first part, Cortaderia, may come from Spanish 'cortar' meaning 'to cut' because the long leaves are sharp, and selloana is named after a plant 'collector', so the name helps you picture the tall, sharp grass and its showy plumes.