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Glite Dictionary
Malaxis unifolia

Malaxis unifolia

9.9
A North American orchid plant with one leaf and small flowers with very thin petals
  • noun
  • /mælˈæksɪs ˌjuːnɪˈfoʊliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Malaxis unifolia
  • The rare Malaxis unifolia was discovered growing in the damp understory of the forest.

Examples

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect Malaxis unifolia and its shrinking natural habitat.

  • Botanists admire the delicate flowers of Malaxis unifolia for their threadlike appearance.

  • I found a Malaxis unifolia in the forest.

  • The Malaxis unifolia is a rare sight in gardens.

  • Botanists admire the delicate flowers of Malaxis unifolia for their threadlike appearance.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect Malaxis unifolia and its shrinking natural habitat.

  • The rare Malaxis unifolia was discovered growing in the damp understory of the forest.

Synonyms

green adder's mouth
vsMalaxis unifolia
  • US
9.9

A small North American orchid with one leaf and green flowers with very thin petals

emphasizes small flower size rather than greenish color

Surface Forms

Malaxis unifolia singular

Morphology

Malaxis + unifolia

This is a scientific Latin binomial combining a genus name and a species epithet, so the meaning is compositionally 'a Malaxis (an orchid) with one leaf' if the learner knows 'Malaxis' and that 'unifolia' means 'one‑leaved'. However, 'unifolia' is a Latin/technical form not found in ordinary English dictionaries and B1 learners are unlikely to know or recognise the Latin morphemes, so the compositionality is only partially accessible.

Etymology

Malaxis unifolia is a scientific name that may come from old words that describe the plant: Malaxis may mean 'soft' for its delicate look, and unifolia means 'one leaf', so the name points to this small orchid's single leaf and thin, threadlike flowers.