carrion flower
- noun
- /ˈkɛr.i.ən ˈflaʊ.ər/
- Specialized
:
flor de cadáver
- The gardener warned that the carrion flower can smell like rotting meat when in full bloom.
Examples
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Botanists were fascinated by the star-shaped blooms of the carrion flower.
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The carrion flower emits a pungent odor to attract flies for pollination.
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The carrion flower bloomed in the garden.
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Have you ever seen a carrion flower?
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The carrion flower emits a strong odor to attract flies for pollination.
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Many gardeners are fascinated by the unique appearance of the carrion flower.
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The carrion flower's foul smell is designed to mimic decaying flesh.
Synonyms
A plant with thick stems and large star-shaped flowers that smell bad and attract flies
A leafless plant with thick stems and star-shaped smelly flowers that attract flies
How Smelly
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
9.9
- Specialized
- US
1
8.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun combines 'carrion' (decaying flesh) with 'flower' in a straightforward compositional way, so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a flower associated with carrion (e.g., smelling like decay). This follows a regular compound-noun pattern and does not require idiomatic knowledge, making the meaning readily derivable.
Etymology
Carrion flower has large, star-shaped flowers that smell like carrion, that is 'rotting meat'. The strong smell tricks flies into visiting and carrying pollen to other plants, so the name shows how the flower uses a 'rotting meat' smell to attract insects and make seeds.