blazing star
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6.7
- noun
- /ˈbleɪzɪŋ stɑr/
- US
- We spotted a field of blazing stars during our morning hike through the desert.
- blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- names such as blazing star
Examples
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Dense blazing star, a perennial native to much of the eastern United States, sends up a spike of tufted purple flowers throughout the summer.
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The blazing star blooms in the early hours before most other flowers begin to open.
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Gardeners in the Southwest often cultivate the blazing star for its striking yellow flowers.
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The blazing star bloomed beautifully in the garden.
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I saw a blazing star at the local botanical garden.
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The dense blazing star has continued to bloom here from June to late August, putting on quite a show and attracting bees and butterflies.
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Blazing star (Liatris spicata) has fuzzy spikes of purple flowers for native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Synonyms
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9.9
A tall plant with spikes of small purple or white flowers
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9.9
A tall wild plant with purple flower spikes that grows in prairies
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9.1
A tall plant with many close purple flower spikes used in flower arrangements
A plant that lives for many years with dense purple spikes that florists use in bouquets
A plant with tall spikes of small purple flowers that attract butterflies
A North American wildflower with small round flower heads on tall spikes
One-year plant with bright golden flowers that open at night and smell sweet
Surface Forms
Morphology
The parts 'blazing' (very bright) and 'star' (a radiating figure) together evoke a bright, star-like appearance, which could describe showy flowers; this gives a clear metaphorical cue. However, identifying it specifically as the name of a plant species is lexicalized and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so a B1 learner might not reliably infer the botanical meaning without exposure.
Etymology
Blazing star probably got its name because its tall flower spikes look like a row of bright little stars that seem to blaze in the sun. That's why the name is used for a showy 'plant' with star-like, eye-catching flowers.