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Glite Dictionary
papilionaceous blossom

papilionaceous blossom

9.9
A flower with petals shaped like a butterfly, found on plants like peas and beans
  • noun
  • /ˌpæpɪlɪˈoʊneɪʃəs ˈblɑsəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flor papilionácea
  • Many legumes bear papilionaceous blossoms that appeal to pollinators.

Examples

  • He studied the structure of a papilionaceous blossom for his botany class.

  • The garden was filled with papilionaceous blossoms, adding vibrant color to the landscape.

  • The garden was filled with beautiful papilionaceous blossoms.

  • Have you ever seen a papilionaceous blossom up close?

  • The garden was filled with vibrant papilionaceous blossoms that attracted many butterflies.

  • Many legumes produce stunning papilionaceous blossoms that serve as a food source for bees.

  • During spring, the park showcases numerous papilionaceous blossoms, pleasing visitors with their beauty.

Synonyms

blossom
vspapilionaceous blossom
77 1.0

A flower or a group of flowers on a tree

is a specific type with butterfly-like petal arrangement in the pea family

Surface Forms

papilionaceous blossom singular
papilionaceous blossoms plural

Morphology

papilionaceous + blossom

The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'papilionaceous' (butterfly-like) + 'blossom' = a flower shaped or arranged like a butterfly. Although 'papilionaceous' is a technical, low-frequency botanical term, its meaning is morphologically analyzable (from papilio ‘butterfly’), so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Papilionaceous blossom comes from the Latin word papilio, which means 'butterfly'. The part papilionaceous means 'butterfly-like' and the blossom is the flower, so the phrase means 'a blossom that looks like a butterfly'.