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Glite Dictionary
carpetweed family

carpetweed family

9.9
A group of small plants with thick leaves that store water, like carpetweeds and fig marigolds
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia de las mollugas
  • The carpetweed family includes both ornamental and weedy plant varieties.

Examples

  • Did you know the carpetweed family thrives in dry climates?

  • Scientists have classified mesembryanthemums under the carpetweed family.

  • Many species in the carpetweed family are known for their drought tolerance.

  • The carpetweed family includes many unique species.

  • Many species in the carpetweed family are known for their drought tolerance.

  • The carpetweed family includes both ornamental and weedy plant varieties.

  • Scientists have classified mesembryanthemums under the carpetweed family.

Synonyms

Aizoaceae
vscarpetweed family
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of fleshy plants from South Africa, like carpetweeds and fig marigolds

is the same family but notes a wider native range including other regions
Tetragoniaceae
vscarpetweed family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small plants with thick leaves, like carpetweeds, that grow in dry places or by the sea

emphasizes common names and full native range rather than the formal label

Surface Forms

carpetweed family singular
carpetweed families plural

Morphology

carpetweed + family

This is a compositional noun phrase: 'family' as a scientific grouping combined with the plant name 'carpetweed' yields a taxonomic group of carpetweed plants. The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents and follows a common cross-linguistic pattern (X family = the family of X), so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

Carpetweed family gets its name from the way many of these plants grow low and spread over the ground like a green carpet, and they are called weed because they often grow easily. So the name means a 'family', a group of related low plants that form flat, spreading patches, which helps you remember it refers to that group of plants.