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Glite Dictionary
climbing maidenhair

climbing maidenhair

9.9
A tropical fern with thin climbing stems and delicate leaves
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : helecho trepador
  • Botanists have documented climbing maidenhair growing wild in southern Florida.

Examples

  • Many gardeners appreciate the delicate appearance of climbing maidenhair in shaded areas.

  • The climbing maidenhair thrives in humid environments.

  • The climbing maidenhair added a lush, green touch to the garden wall.

  • I saw a climbing maidenhair in the botanical garden.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the delicate appearance of climbing maidenhair in shaded areas.

  • The climbing maidenhair added a lush, green touch to the garden wall.

  • I saw a climbing maidenhair in the botanical garden.

Synonyms

climbing maidenhair fern
vsclimbing maidenhair
  • UK
9.1

A fern with thin, delicate leaves that climbs or trails over rocks and walls

has the same meaning but uses a shorter common name

Surface Forms

climbing maidenhair singular
climbing maidenhairs plural

Morphology

climbing + maidenhair

The noun phrase directly describes a type of maidenhair fern with a climbing growth habit: 'climbing' (having a tendency to climb) modifies 'maidenhair' (a fern). This compositional modifier+noun pattern is common and the meaning is readily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Climbing maidenhair gets its name from how it looks: its thin, hair-like leaves, the maidenhair part, remind people of a young woman's 'maiden' hair, and its stems seem to climb walls or trees. That's why the name describes a delicate 'fern' that grows up walls and trees.