goosefoot family
- noun
- Specialized
- The goosefoot family contains many edible plants, such as spinach and beets.
Examples
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Spinach belongs to the goosefoot family.
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Plants in the goosefoot family are often tolerant of saline soils.
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Many weeds found in gardens also belong to the goosefoot family.
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The goosefoot family includes many nutritious plants.
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Many common vegetables, such as beets and spinach, are part of the goosefoot family.
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The goosefoot family is known for its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions.
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Members of the goosefoot family are often found in coastal regions due to their salt tolerance.
Synonyms
A group of flowering plants that includes spinach and beets
A group of flowering plants like spinach and beets
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'goosefoot' denotes a type of plant and 'family' indicates a taxonomic grouping, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the plant family containing goosefoot-like species. This follows common English patterns for naming taxonomic groups (e.g. 'rose family'), making the expression immediately understandable.
Etymology
Goosefoot family gets its name from the shape of the leaves: many plants have leaves that look like a goose's foot, with several pointed parts. So the name helps you remember that this 'family of plants' includes common greens like spinach and beets.