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Glite Dictionary
Polystichum acrostichoides

Polystichum acrostichoides

9.9
An evergreen fern from North America with long feather-like leaves that makes good ground cover
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒlɪˈstaɪkəm ˌækrəˈstɪkɔɪdz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Polystichum acrostichoides
  • The Polystichum acrostichoides provides excellent ground cover in shaded woodland gardens.

Examples

  • While hiking in Pennsylvania, she identified several clumps of Polystichum acrostichoides along the trail.

  • Many gardeners choose Polystichum acrostichoides for its resilience through winter months.

  • I planted a Polystichum acrostichoides in my garden.

  • The Polystichum acrostichoides thrives in shady areas.

  • Many gardeners choose Polystichum acrostichoides for its evergreen leaves that remain vibrant throughout the winter.

  • The Polystichum acrostichoides creates a lush ground cover in shaded woodland areas, thriving in moist soil.

  • While hiking in Pennsylvania, she spotted clusters of Polystichum acrostichoides growing densely along the forest floor.

Synonyms

Christmas fern
vsPolystichum acrostichoides
  • US
9.9

A North American fern that stays green in winter and has long divided leaves

is the scientific, formal name rather than the seasonal common name
dagger fern
vsPolystichum acrostichoides
  • US
9.4

An evergreen fern with long narrow pointed leaves

is the scientific name used instead of that alternate common name
canker brake
vsPolystichum acrostichoides
  • US
9.9

An evergreen fern with long pointed leaves that grow in dense patches

is the scientific name rather than an old or local common term

Surface Forms

Polystichum acrostichoides singular
Polystichum acrostichoides plural

Morphology

Polystichum + acrostichoides

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name — a proper taxonomic label — rather than a compositional English phrase. Its meaning ('Christmas fern') cannot be derived by a B1 learner from the Latin/Greek constituents (one of which is not even found in a dictionary), so the expression is not transparently interpretable from its parts.

Etymology

Polystichum acrostichoides gets its long name from parts that mean poly 'many' and stichum 'rows', while acrostichoides says it looks like another fern. Imagine many neat rows of leaflets that stay green at Christmas. That's why gardeners call it the 'Christmas fern' and the picture helps you remember the Latin name.