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Glite Dictionary
Pontederia cordata

Pontederia cordata

9.9
A water plant with spikes of blue flowers that grows in shallow ponds and streams
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pontederia cordata
  • The pond was edged with the striking blue flowers of Pontederia cordata.

Examples

  • We identified Pontederia cordata growing alongside cattails in the shallow stream.

  • Many wetland restoration projects include Pontederia cordata for its beauty and ecological benefits.

  • The Pontederia cordata blooms beautifully in summer.

  • Have you seen the Pontederia cordata in the pond?

  • The pond was edged with the striking blue flowers of Pontederia cordata.

  • Many wetland restoration projects include Pontederia cordata for its beauty and ecological benefits.

  • We identified Pontederia cordata growing alongside cattails in the shallow stream.

Synonyms

pickerelweed
vsPontederia cordata
  • US
9.9

A water plant with broad leaves and blue flower spikes that grows at pond edges

is the scientific Latin name rather than the one word common form
pickerel weed
vsPontederia cordata
  • US
9.9

A water plant with spikes of blue flowers that grows in shallow ponds and streams

is the scientific Latin name rather than the two word common form

Surface Forms

Pontederia cordata singular
Pontederia cordatas plural

Morphology

Pontederia + cordata

This is a Latin binomial (taxonomic) name rather than a compositional English phrase: 'Pontederia' identifies the genus (pickerelweed) but 'cordata' is a Latin descriptor not found in the learner dictionary here. Because the second element is not an ordinary English word and the name functions as a species label, a B1 learner who only knows the listed constituents would not be able to derive the full meaning without prior exposure or knowledge of botanical/Latin morphology.

Etymology

Pontederia cordata has a name made of two parts, Pontederia and cordata. The word cordata is Latin for 'heart-shaped' and describes the plant's heart-shaped leaves, so the name helps you remember this water plant with spikes of blue flowers.