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Glite Dictionary
chaparral sage

chaparral sage

9.9
A plant with silvery leaves and purple flowers that grows in California
  • noun
  • /ˌʃæpəˈræl seɪdʒ/
  • US
translation icon : salvia de chaparral
  • The chaparral sage in her garden released a pleasant fragrance after the rain.

Examples

  • Botanists often study chaparral sage for its drought-resistant properties.

  • The chaparral sage blooms beautifully in spring.

  • We saw fields of chaparral sage blooming along the California hillside.

  • Many gardeners love chaparral sage for its fragrance.

  • The fragrant chaparral sage blooms brightly in the spring, attracting many local pollinators.

  • In her garden, she planted chaparral sage alongside other drought-resistant herbs to conserve water.

  • As they explored the hills, they admired the purple flowers of chaparral sage dotting the landscape.

Synonyms

purple sage
vschaparral sage
  • US
6.8

A small plant with silver leaves and groups of purple flowers

is the scientific name used for that exact plant
Salvia leucophylla
vschaparral sage
  • Specialized
9.9

A sage plant from California with silvery leaves and purple flowers

is the specific species distinct from that other plant

Surface Forms

chaparral sage singular
chaparral sages plural

Morphology

chaparral + sage

The compound is directly compositional: 'chaparral' (dry-region shrubs) + 'sage' (an herb) yields a type of sage associated with chaparral habitat. A B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a sage that grows in chaparral, even if they cannot identify the exact species.

Etymology

Chaparral sage is a simple name: sage is the herb and chaparral is the 'dry, shrubby land' where it grows, especially in California. That's why the name helps you remember it is a silvery-leaved herb that needs little water and gives off a strong scent.