mescal bean
- noun
- /ˈmɛskəl bin/
- Specialized
:
frijol mescal
- The bright red seeds of the mescal bean are highly toxic to animals and humans.
Examples
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We found a mescal bean growing near the riverbank, its blue flowers attracting bees.
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Many ranchers are concerned about mescal beans poisoning their livestock.
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Native American tribes once used the mescal bean in traditional ceremonies, despite its poisonous nature.
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The mescal bean plant is often found in arid regions.
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Many ranchers are concerned about mescal beans poisoning their livestock.
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The bright red seeds of the mescal bean are highly toxic to animals and humans.
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We found a mescal bean growing near the riverbank, its blue flowers attracting bees.
Synonyms
A small evergreen tree with purple flower clusters and bright red poisonous seeds
A small shrub with blue fragrant flowers and red beans that are poisonous to farm animals
A small shrub or tree with blue flowers and red beans that are poisonous to livestock
A shrub or small tree with divided leaves, blue flower spikes and red seeds, some poisonous to farm animals
Surface Forms
Morphology
mescal + bean
The component 'bean' gives a clear cue that the expression names a plant or seed, so learners who know 'bean' would expect a botanical referent; however 'mescal' is rare/opaque (here marked not found) and does not transparently convey the species, shrub habit, or poisonous properties. Because the compound is a lexicalized common name for a specific species, the plant sense is partially recoverable from the parts but the full meaning and connotations are not predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Mescal bean has bright red beans that look like small jewels and were used in old 'ceremonies' by some Native American groups, even though they are 'poisonous'. One popular story says the seeds could make people feel strange in a way like the drink called 'mescal', so the plant took that name and is remembered for its bright, dangerous seeds.
