Ravenna grass

9.1

A tall grass with long leaves and large feathery plumes like pampas grass

noun

: hierba de Rávena

The feathery plumes of Ravenna grass sway beautifully in the autumn breeze.

Examples

Unlike pampas grass, Ravenna grass can tolerate colder climates and poor soils.
Many gardeners plant Ravenna grass to create dramatic focal points in their landscapes.
The garden was filled with beautiful Ravenna grass.
Many landscapers prefer Ravenna grasses for their resilience.
Many gardeners plant Ravenna grass to create dramatic focal points in their landscapes.
The feathery plumes of Ravenna grass sway beautifully in the autumn breeze.
Unlike pampas grass, Ravenna grass can tolerate colder climates and poor soils.

Synonyms

Erianthus ravennae

vsRavenna grass

Specialized

9.9

A tall garden grass with long leaves and large white plumes

is the general ornamental name rather than the scientific species label

wool grass

vsRavenna grass

8.4

A tall garden grass with large soft white plumes

refers to the same cultivated plant but under a different common name

plume grass

vsRavenna grass

9.8

Tall grass with large feathery tops often grown in gardens

is a specific ornamental species with white-ribbed leaves rather than a general genus term

Surface Forms

Ravenna grass singular

Ravenna grasses plural

Morphology

Ravenna + grass

The phrase is compositionally a proper name ('Ravenna') plus the noun 'grass', so a learner who knows the constituents will readily infer it denotes a type or variety of grass. Although the specific morphological traits (tall, feathery plumes) are not spelled out by the name, the basic categorical meaning 'a kind of grass' is directly predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Ravenna grass may be named after the Italian city Ravenna, where gardeners first grew and sold this tall plant with long stems and white, feathery plumes. That's why the name refers today to a tall, decorative grass known for its large, plume-like flower heads.