family Taccaceae

9.9

A small group of tropical plants with unusual flowers and thick underground roots

noun

Specialized

: familia Taccaceae

Many species in the family Taccaceae are found in Southeast Asia.

Examples

The family Taccaceae consists of unique tropical plants.
Many members of the family Taccaceae are native to Southeast Asian rainforests.
Botanists study the unique floral structures characteristic of the family Taccaceae.
The family Taccaceae includes several species that are cultivated for their ornamental value.
Many members of the family Taccaceae are native to Southeast Asian rainforests.
The family Taccaceae includes several species that are cultivated for their ornamental value.
Botanists study the unique floral structures characteristic of the family Taccaceae.

Synonyms

Taccaceae

vsfamily Taccaceae

Archaic

9.9

A small group of tropical herbs with broad leaves and unusual flowers, once considered a separate plant family

emphasizes plant features such as unusual flowers and tuberous roots

Surface Forms

family Taccaceae singular

families Taccaceae plural

Morphology

family + Taccaceae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Taccaceae' yields the family of plants called Taccaceae. There is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift and the meaning is directly compositional (cross-linguistically common), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Family Taccaceae comes from the plant genus Tacca and the ending -aceae, which plant scientists add to show a 'family' of plants. So, it means the group of small tropical plants that includes Tacca, known for its unusual flowers and thick roots.