groundsel tree

9.9

A shrub with white fluffy seeds that grows in salt marshes

noun

: árbol de groundsel

In the autumn, the groundsel tree is easily recognized by its fluffy white seeds.

Examples

The groundsel tree thrives in coastal salt marshes, where it helps prevent erosion.
Local wildlife often uses the groundsel tree for shelter and nesting material.
The groundsel tree thrives in coastal areas.
Many groundsel trees can be found in salt marshes.
In the autumn, the groundsel tree is easily recognized by its fluffy white seeds.
Local wildlife often uses the groundsel tree for shelter and nesting material.
The groundsel tree thrives in coastal salt marshes, where it helps prevent erosion.

Synonyms

Baccharis halimifolia

vsgroundsel tree

Specialized

9.9

A shrub that grows in salty coastal marshes with seeds in white fluffy tufts

is the common name rather than the scientific name

groundsel bush

vsgroundsel tree

9.9

A shrub that grows in salt marshes and has white feathery tufts on its fruit

calls the plant a tree instead of a bush

consumption weed

vsgroundsel tree

9.9

A bush that grows in salt marshes with fruit surrounded by white feathery hairs

is the neutral descriptive name used generally for the plant

cotton-seed tree

vsgroundsel tree

Specialized

9.5

A small bush that grows in salt marshes and has fruit with white fluffy tufts

describes the plant without stressing the cottonlike seed tufts

Surface Forms

groundsel tree singular

groundsel trees plural

Morphology

groundsel + tree

The phrase names a type of tree (or shrub) characterized as a groundsel, so its meaning is directly recoverable by combining 'groundsel' (a plant/weed) with 'tree' (a woody plant). This noun + tree composition is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common naming pattern, so a learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Groundsel tree may come from the small plant called groundsel, which has light, fluffy seeds. This coastal shrub also makes fluffy white tufts around its fruit that float and help it spread in marshes, so the name points to its fluffy seeds and the way it spreads.