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Glite Dictionary
Dryopteris filix-mas

Dryopteris filix-mas

9.9
A fern whose roots and stems make an oil once used to kill tapeworms
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dryopteris filix-mas
  • The rhizomes of Dryopteris filix-mas were traditionally used in medicine to treat intestinal worms.

Examples

  • You can often find Dryopteris filix-mas growing in shaded woodlands throughout Europe and North America.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Dryopteris filix-mas for its lush green fronds.

  • Researchers study Dryopteris filix-mas for its unique chemical compounds and potential medicinal applications.

  • The Dryopteris filix-mas is commonly found in moist woodland areas.

  • The rhizomes of Dryopteris filix-mas were traditionally used in medicine to treat intestinal worms.

  • Researchers study Dryopteris filix-mas for its unique chemical compounds and potential medicinal applications.

  • You can often find Dryopteris filix-mas growing in shaded woodlands throughout Europe and North America.

Synonyms

male fern
vsDryopteris filix-mas
  • Specialized
9.8

A fern that grows in shady woods across Europe and North America

is the formal Latin scientific name rather than the everyday name

Surface Forms

Dryopteris filix-mas singular
Dryopteris filix-mases plural

Morphology

Dryopteris + filix-mas

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name) where the constituents are a genus label and an obscure species epithet; a B1 learner who knows only that 'Dryopteris' is a taxonomic genus and does not know 'filix-mas' cannot derive that this refers to a fern with specific native range or medicinal use. Taxonomic Latin does not follow ordinary English compositional patterns, so the specific biological identity and historical medicinal meaning are unpredictable from the parts.

Etymology

Dryopteris filix-mas comes from old words meaning filix ('fern') and mas ('male'), so people called it the 'male fern'. Long ago its thick roots and stalks were used as a strong medicine 'to expel tapeworms', so the name brings to mind a large fern once used to treat worm infections.