panther lily
- noun
- US
- The panther lily produces stunning orange-red flowers with maroon spots in the wild.
Examples
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The panther lily blooms each summer in the mountain meadows of California.
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We stopped to admire a beautiful panther lily growing near the hiking trail.
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Their garden was filled with vibrant panther lily blossoms and other wildflowers.
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Look at that panther lily!
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The panther lily blooms in vibrant colors.
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In the botanical garden, we saw a lovely panther lily among the native plants.
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While hiking, we spotted a panther lily flourishing in a sunny meadow.
Synonyms
A tall lily with orange-red flowers that have dark red spots
Surface Forms
Morphology
panther + lily
This is a straightforward noun compound combining 'panther' (an animal associated with distinctive coloration/markings) and 'lily' (a flower), so the phrase names a type of lily. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer it refers to a lily characterized by panther-like appearance (e.g., spotted or striking coloration), making the meaning compositional and transparent.
Etymology
Panther lily may come from the flower's orange-red petals covered with dark spots that look like a panther's fur, and lily shows it is a lily, so the name gives a clear picture of this spotted flower.