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Glite Dictionary
kidney fern

kidney fern

9.6
A large green plant from New Zealand with kidney-shaped leaves
  • noun
  • New Zealand
translation icon : helecho riñón
  • The kidney fern is easily recognized by its large, kidney-shaped fronds that flourish in New Zealand's damp environments.

Examples

  • The kidney fern is one of the most distinctive plants found in New Zealand's rainforests.

  • The kidney fern thrives in the damp shade of the forest.

  • Botanists admire the unique frond shape of the kidney fern during their studies.

  • We spotted a patch of kidney ferns growing along the shaded forest floor.

  • I saw a beautiful kidney fern in the botanical garden.

  • In the forest, the kidney fern grows abundantly, providing a lush backdrop to the native wildlife.

  • Visitors to New Zealand often enjoy observing the graceful kidney fern swaying gently in the breeze.

Synonyms

Trichomanes reniforme
vskidney fern
  • Specialized
9.9

A large fern from New Zealand with kidney-shaped leaves

is the everyday common name rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

kidney fern singular
kidney ferns plural

Morphology

kidney + fern

The compound is fully compositional: 'kidney' denotes the characteristic kidney-shaped form and 'fern' names the plant, so 'kidney fern' clearly means a fern with kidney-shaped fronds and is directly derivable from the parts. This noun–noun compounding pattern (shape/type + noun) is common and predictable across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand it.

Etymology

Kidney fern was named because its fern leaves are rounded and look like kidneys, so the name tells you about the plant's leaf 'shape'.