awlwort

9.9

A small water plant with narrow pointed leaves in a round group, tiny white flowers, often in cold northern waters

noun
/ˈɔːlˌwɔrt/

Specialized

: awlwort

Tiny white flowers are a distinguishing feature of awlwort in early summer.

Examples

Researchers studied awlwort populations in arctic and alpine water habitats.
The botanist identified the strange plant as awlwort growing along the rocky lake shore.
The awlwort blooms beautifully in spring.
Have you seen the awlworts by the lake?
Researchers studied awlwort populations in arctic and alpine water habitats.
The botanist identified the strange plant as awlwort growing along the rocky lake shore.
Tiny white flowers are a distinguishing feature of awlwort in early summer.

Synonyms

Subularia aquatica

vsawlwort

Specialized

9.9

A water plant with small groups of thin leaves and tiny white flowers found in northern ponds and lakes

is limited to northern regions rather than circumboreal distribution

Surface Forms

awlwort singular

awlworts plural

Morphology

awlwort = awl + wort (semi-transparent) = awl + wort

'Awl' + 'wort' is a clear compound in form, but '-wort' is an archaic/specialized element meaning 'plant' that many learners will not recognise.

Etymology

Awlwort comes from two simple parts: awl and wort. An awl is a small pointed tool and wort is an old word for 'plant', so the name suggests a plant with pointed, awl-shaped leaves—just like this small aquatic species.