common polypody
- noun
- Specialized
:
polipodio común
- The common polypody thrives on mossy rocks and tree trunks in shaded woodlands.
Examples
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In the garden, common polypody can create an attractive ground cover in cool, damp areas.
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The common polypody is often seen growing in forests and along trails across Europe.
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Botanists studied the medicinal uses of common polypody in traditional herbal remedies.
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Look at that common polypody!
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The common polypody thrives in shaded areas.
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In the garden, common polypody can create an attractive ground cover in cool, damp areas.
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The common polypody thrives on mossy rocks and tree trunks in shaded woodlands.
Synonyms
A fern with feather-like leaves that grows and spreads in shady, rocky places
A low plant with long divided leaves that forms a green mat in shady wet places
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition where 'common' (frequently occurring) modifies 'polypody' (a type of fern), so the meaning — a frequently occurring species/instance of polypody — is directly derivable from the parts. This compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.
Etymology
Common polypody may come from the Greek parts poly and pod, meaning 'many' and 'foot', because the fern sends out many creeping stems that spread across the ground like little feet. So the name fits this common fern that often makes a low ground cover.
