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Glite Dictionary
Leycesteria formosa

Leycesteria formosa

9.9
A bush from the Himalayas with hanging purple flowers and dark edible berries
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Leycesteria formosa
  • The gardener planted a row of Leycesteria formosa along the fence for its attractive flowers.

Examples

  • Birds are attracted to the berries of Leycesteria formosa in late summer.

  • Leycesteria formosa is often grown in ornamental gardens for its showy blooms.

  • The Leycesteria formosa thrives in shady areas of the garden.

  • Have you seen the Leycesteria formosa in bloom this spring?

  • Leycesteria formosa produces striking flowers and is often used as a decorative plant in landscaping.

  • In my garden, the Leycesteria formosa attracts many pollinators with its vibrant blooms.

  • During the summer, the dark berries of Leycesteria formosa become a favorite treat for local birds.

Synonyms

Himalaya honeysuckle
vsLeycesteria formosa
  • Indian
9.6

A shrub with drooping purple flower spikes and small berries from the Himalayas

is the formal scientific name rather than the common regional name

Surface Forms

Leycesteria formosa singular
Leycesteria formasas plural

Morphology

Leycesteria + formosa

This is a scientific binomial (genus + species) where 'Leycesteria' names a genus of ornamental shrubs and the species epithet indicates a particular member. The overall meaning ('a particular Leycesteria shrub') is partly derivable from the constituents, but the Latin epithet 'formosa' is not common English and botanical names require specialty knowledge, so the sense is only partially predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Leycesteria formosa may come from the name of a person called Leycester, which appears in the genus name Leycesteria, and formosa is Latin for 'beautiful'. So the name gives the picture of a 'beautiful' shrub with drooping purple flowers and dark berries, helping you remember it is a showy garden plant.