moonwort

9.9

A small fern with curved leaf parts that grows in meadows

noun
/ˈmuːnˌwɜrt/

: moonwort

The rare moonwort was discovered growing at the edge of the alpine meadow.

Examples

Some folk traditions believed that moonwort had magical properties.
Botanists are studying the reproduction of moonworts in their natural habitats.
The moonwort is a rare fern species.
Many hikers spotted moonworts in the forest.
The rare moonwort was discovered growing at the edge of the alpine meadow.
Many hikers spotted moonwort while exploring the forest.
Botanists are studying the reproduction of moonwort in their natural habitats.

Synonyms

Botrychium lunaria

vsmoonwort

Specialized

9.9

A small fern called moonwort with rounded leaflets shaped like a crescent

is the scientific species name rather than the common name

common moonwort

vsmoonwort

9.9

A small fern with curved leaflets that look like little moons

is the common name used instead of the scientific species name

Botrychium

vsmoonwort

Specialized

9.9

A small fern-like plant with grape-like clusters of spores, often called moonwort

is narrower, referring to one small fern with crescent segments

grape fern

vsmoonwort

Specialized

9.9

A fern with feathery leaves and round spore clusters like grapes

focuses on fertile frond detail rather than the species identity as a whole

Compounds

common moonwort

9.9

A small fern with curved leaflets that look like little moons

Surface Forms

moonwort singular

moonworts plural

Morphology

moonwort = moon + wort (semi-transparent) = moon + wort

The compound literally combines 'moon' and 'wort', but 'wort' is an archaic/rare plant-name element that many learners may not recognize.

Etymology

Moonwort comes from old English parts: moon ('moon') and wort ('plant' or 'herb'). The fern has small leaf parts shaped like tiny moons, so the name simply means a 'moon plant' and explains its moon-like shape.