enchanter's nightshade
- noun
- /ɪnˈtʃæntərz ˈnaɪtʃeɪd/
- Specialized
:
hierba de la hechicera
- In the sunny gaps between the trees, butterburs, golden saxifrage, and sweet-flax were more to be seen than the violets, bellflowers, and enchanter's nightshade of the highlands.
Examples
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In the forest, the delicate enchanter's nightshade blooms with small white flowers at dawn.
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The enchanter's nightshade plant is recognizable by its white flowers that open in the morning light.
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I discovered a field filled with enchanter's nightshade while hiking through the Northern woods.
Synonyms
A small woodland plant called enchanter's nightshade with oval leaves and tiny white flowers
A small plant that lives for many years in shady woods with tiny white flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
enchanter's + nightshade
A B1 learner who knows 'nightshade' would recognize this as a type of plant, and 'enchanter's' functions as a modifying possessor, so the phrase transparently signals a particular kind of nightshade. However, the precise botanical sense (a specific genus/species and the poetic use of 'enchanter's') is lexicalized and not fully predictable from the parts, so only partial comprehension would be expected without prior exposure.
Etymology
Enchanter's nightshade may come from the idea that its small white flowers look almost 'magical' when they appear on the dark forest floor. The word enchanter's suggests a charm and nightshade points to plants that grow in shade, so the name helps you remember it is a delicate woodland herb that seems to 'enchant' shady places.
