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Glite Dictionary
Yucca gloriosa

Yucca gloriosa

9.3
A large plant from the southeastern United States with long smooth leaves and a short trunk
  • noun
  • /ˈjʌkə ɡlɔːˈrɪsə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : yucca gloriosa
  • The leaves of Yucca gloriosa are smoother than those of the Spanish bayonet.

Examples

  • Botanists identified the unknown plant as Yucca gloriosa after examining its trunk and foliage.

  • Yucca gloriosa is often planted in gardens for its striking appearance and hardiness.

  • The Yucca gloriosa thrives in sandy soils.

  • Did you see the Yucca gloriosas blooming in the garden?

  • Yucca gloriosa is a popular choice for landscaping due to its lush foliage and ability to tolerate drought.

  • Many gardeners admire the unique texture and shape of the leaves of Yucca gloriosa in their flower beds.

  • In warm climates, Yucca gloriosa can grow up to five feet tall, adding a dramatic look to any garden.

Synonyms

yucca
vsYucca gloriosa
4 7.1

A plant with long stiff pointed leaves and white flowers that grows in warm dry places

is a specific species with a shorter trunk and smoother leaves

Surface Forms

Yucca gloriosa singular
Yucca gloriosas plural

Morphology

yucca + gloriosa

This is a Linnaean binomial: 'yucca' names the plant genus and 'gloriosa' is a species epithet, so the two-word form simply denotes a particular kind of yucca. A learner who knows 'yucca' and understands that Latin two-word names label species will readily infer it refers to a type of yucca, making the meaning compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Yucca gloriosa comes from two parts: yucca, a word taken from a Caribbean name for the spiky plant, and gloriosa, Latin for 'glorious'. The name gives a clear picture of a showy yucca with smooth leaves and tall flower spikes, so it reminds people that this species looks dramatic and is often used in gardens.