Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Machaeranthera bigelovii

Machaeranthera bigelovii

9.9
A wild aster with leafy stems and purple or reddish flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Machaeranthera bigelovii
  • In the spring, the vibrant purple rays of Machaeranthera bigelovii attract many pollinators.

Examples

  • The hills of Arizona come alive with Machaeranthera bigelovii in late summer.

  • During our hike, we spotted a patch of Machaeranthera bigelovii blooming near the trail.

  • Botanists observed Machaeranthera bigelovii thriving alongside other native asters.

  • Her field notes included a detailed sketch of Machaeranthera bigelovii in bloom.

  • The Machaeranthera bigelovii blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Have you seen the Machaeranthera bigelovii in the wild?

  • The unique characteristics of Machaeranthera bigelovii make it a favorite among native plant enthusiasts.

Synonyms

sticky aster
vsMachaeranthera bigelovii
  • US
8.8

A small wild flower with leafy stems and bright purple petals that grows in western US hills

is the formal Latin name used in scientific or botanical contexts

Surface Forms

Machaeranthera bigelovii singular
Machaeranthera bigelovii plural

Morphology

Machaeranthera + bigelovii

This is a scientific binomial: knowing 'Machaeranthera' as a genus of wildflowers allows a learner to infer the phrase refers to a species of that plant. However, 'bigelovii' is a Latinized species epithet (a commemorative name) that conveys no descriptive meaning to a B1 learner, so the specific sense and characteristics are not fully derivable.

Etymology

Machaeranthera bigelovii may come from old Greek words plus a collector's name. Machaeranthera mixes words for 'knife' and the 'anther', the flower part that holds pollen, because the flower parts look narrow and sharp, and bigelovii honors the plant collector Bigelow, so the name helps you picture the plant and remember who found it.