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Glite Dictionary
Montia cordifolia

Montia cordifolia

9.9
A low plant with heart-shaped leaves near the ground and small white flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Montia cordifolia
  • The shady woodland was carpeted with Montia cordifolia in full bloom.

Examples

  • Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest often cultivate Montia cordifolia for its attractive foliage.

  • The Montia cordifolia is often found in moist, shaded areas.

  • Botanists surveyed populations of Montia cordifolia along the mountain streams.

  • Have you seen a Montia cordifolia in bloom?

  • The shady woodland was carpeted with Montia cordifolia in full bloom.

  • Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest often cultivate Montia cordifolia for its attractive foliage.

  • Botanists surveyed populations of Montia cordifolia along the mountain streams.

Synonyms

broad-leaved montia
vsMontia cordifolia
  • US
9.9

A small plant with thick heart-shaped leaves and white flowers

focuses on basal heart shaped leaves rather than highlighting a stem pair

Surface Forms

Montia cordifolia singular
Montia cordifolias plural

Morphology

Montia + cordifolia

This is a scientific Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet). The first element 'Montia' is a genus label and the second 'cordifolia' is a Latin epithet (literally 'heart-leaved') that is not an ordinary English word listed here, so a B1 learner who merely 'knows' the listed constituents would not be able to infer the botanical description. Because the name functions as a taxonomic label and relies on Latin morphology rather than transparent English composition, it is not predictable for typical learners.

Etymology

Montia cordifolia combines Montia, probably named for an Italian plant scientist, and cordifolia, a Latin phrase meaning 'heart-shaped leaves'. Because the plant really has mostly 'heart-shaped leaves', the name gives an easy picture to help you remember it.