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Glite Dictionary
Pellaea mucronata

Pellaea mucronata

9.9
A type of fern with purple-brown leaf stalks that grows on cliffs in California and Baja California
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pellaea mucronata
  • The steep canyon wall was covered in patches of Pellaea mucronata growing between the rocks.

Examples

  • The distinctive leafstalks of Pellaea mucronata make it easy to identify among other ferns.

  • I spotted a Pellaea mucronata while hiking in California.

  • Botanists surveyed populations of Pellaea mucronata in several protected nature reserves.

  • The Pellaea mucronata thrives in rocky areas.

  • The steep canyon wall was covered in patches of Pellaea mucronata growing between the rocks.

  • The distinctive leafstalks of Pellaea mucronata make it easy to identify among other ferns.

  • I spotted a Pellaea mucronata while hiking in California.

Synonyms

Pellaea ornithopus
vsPellaea mucronata
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fern that grows on cliffs in California with purple-brown stems

is similar but focuses on typical cliff growth
bird's-foot fern
vsPellaea mucronata
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fern with purple-brown stalks and divided leaves like a bird's foot

is mainly found on cliffs rather than defined by toe like shape

Surface Forms

Pellaea mucronata singular
Pellaea mucronatas plural

Morphology

Pellaea + mucronata

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name functioning as a proper noun that identifies a particular species rather than a compositional phrase. The specific epithet 'mucronata' has no dictionary entry here (and is Latin), so even if a learner knows 'Pellaea' as a type of fern they would not be able to derive the full species meaning or distinguishing features from the constituents alone.

Etymology

Pellaea mucronata likely comes from old naming words: Pellaea for ferns that grow on 'rocks' or cliffs, and mucronata from Latin for 'pointed', because the leaflets often end in tiny sharp tips. So the name gives a clear picture of a rock-growing fern with small pointed leaf tips, which matches the plant today.