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pincushion flower

pincushion flower

8.1
A garden plant with round purple or red flowers that smell nice and attract butterflies
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪnˌkʌʃən ˈflaʊər/
translation icon : flor cojín
  • She planted pincushion flowers in her border to add a splash of color to her yard.

Examples

  • The pincushion flower, with its vibrant purple blooms, attracts many bees in the garden.

  • But beautiful pincushion flowers provide color all summer long.

  • The next row over pincushion flowers and then larkspur.

  • In summer, my garden is filled with pincushion flowers that last for weeks.

Synonyms

Scabiosa atropurpurea
vspincushion flower
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden plant with scented purple to dark red flowers like a pincushion

is the common garden name for that same species
sweet scabious
vspincushion flower
9.9

A garden plant with scented purple to deep red flowers that attract butterflies

is about the species identity rather than stressing cultivation frequency
mournful widow
vspincushion flower
  • US
9.9

A plant that lives one year and has fragrant purple to deep red flower heads

is commonly cultivated as an ornamental rather than only naturalized
scabiosa
vspincushion flower
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden plant with round showy flowers that attract bees and butterflies

is a single Old World species with specific purple to deep crimson heads

Surface Forms

Morphology

pincushion + flower

The noun is a straightforward compound: 'pincushion' + 'flower' signals a flower that resembles or is associated with a pincushion. A B1 learner who knows both constituent words can infer it refers to a type of flower shaped like a pincushion, even if detailed botanical specifics are not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Pincushion flower: The plant name pincushion flower comes from its round head of tiny blooms that looks like a small pincushion stuck with many pin-like parts. So, because the little blooms stick out like 'pins', the name helps you picture and remember this garden plant.