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Glite Dictionary
mountain phlox

mountain phlox

7.4
A low plant with thin, green leaves and pink or white flowers used as a ground cover
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : phlox de montaña
  • The mountain phlox thrives in well-drained, sunny locations and is popular with gardeners.

Examples

  • We planted mountain phlox in the rock garden for its vibrant spring blooms.

  • Ground covers like mountain phlox help prevent soil erosion on slopes.

  • The mountain phlox blooms beautifully in spring.

  • I planted some mountain phlox in my garden.

  • Ground covers like mountain phlox help prevent soil erosion on slopes.

  • The mountain phlox thrives in well-drained, sunny locations and is popular with gardeners.

  • We planted mountain phlox in the rock garden for its vibrant spring blooms.

Synonyms

Phlox subulata
vsmountain phlox
  • Specialized
9.5

A low plant with thin evergreen leaves and pink or white flowers used as ground cover

is the common garden name used instead of the formal species term
dwarf phlox
vsmountain phlox
  • US
9.5

A low, spreading plant with thin needle leaves and pink or white flowers used to cover the ground

is a specific cultivar or garden label rather than a general descriptor
moss phlox
vsmountain phlox
  • US
7.6

A low, spreading evergreen plant with small pink or white flowers used to cover the ground

is described with emphasis on tufted growth not necessarily wide spreading
moss pink
vsmountain phlox
  • US
6.5

A low plant with pink or white flowers that spreads to cover the ground

forms tight tufts rather than a wide mat in most cases

Surface Forms

mountain phlox singular
mountain phloxes plural

Morphology

mountain + phlox

The phrase denotes a type of phlox associated with mountains, so its meaning is directly and transparently composed from 'mountain' (habitat/attribute) + 'phlox' (the plant genus). This place/type naming pattern is cross-linguistically common and would be readily understood by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Mountain phlox joins two simple images: mountain because it grows on high, rocky places, and phlox from an old Greek word for 'flame' because the bright flowers look like tiny flames. So the name shows a small, flame-like 'flower' that grows on mountains and helps you remember this ground-cover plant.