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Glite Dictionary
Lysichiton americanum

Lysichiton americanum

9.9
A marsh plant with a yellow leaf-like flower and a strong bad smell
  • noun
  • /ˌlaɪsɪˈkaɪtən əˌmɛrɪˈkænəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lysichiton americanum
  • The wetland was filled with Lysichiton americanum, known for its foul odor and bright yellow spathes.

Examples

  • The wetland was filled with Lysichiton americanum, its yellow spathes brightening the marshy landscape.

  • Gardeners in temperate regions sometimes cultivate Lysichiton americanum for its unusual appearance.

  • Researchers studied the pollination habits of Lysichiton americanum in its native habitat.

  • The Lysichiton americanum thrives in wetland areas.

  • Have you seen a Lysichiton americanum in bloom?

  • Researchers studied the pollination habits of Lysichiton americanum in its native wetland habitats.

  • Gardeners in temperate regions sometimes cultivate Lysichiton americanum for its striking yellow flowers.

Synonyms

skunk cabbage
vsLysichiton americanum
  • US
1 8.9

A low plant with a strong bad smell that grows in wet places

is a clump-forming wetland species with a yellow spathe and strong odor

Surface Forms

Lysichiton americanum singular
Lysichiton americanums plural

Morphology

Lysichiton + americanum

This is a Latin binomial: the first element is a genus name (Lysichiton = a plant genus) and the second (americanum) indicates origin ('of America'); knowing both would allow a learner to infer it is a plant from America. However, specific semantic details (yellow spathe, foul odor, wetland habit) are specialist botanical knowledge not encoded transparently in the name, so the meaning is only partially predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Lysichiton americanum is the scientific name for the yellow 'skunk cabbage' found in wet places of western North America. Its bright yellow hood, the spathe, and its strong skunk-like smell give a clear picture of the plant — so the name points to this yellow, smelly wetland flower.