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Glite Dictionary
plumed thistle

plumed thistle

9.1
A prickly plant with large purple or yellow flower heads that attract bees
  • noun
translation icon : cardo plumoso
  • The plumed thistle is easily recognized by its spiny leaves and brilliant purple flowers.

Examples

  • Some species of plumed thistle can grow very tall and attract many pollinators.

  • The plumed thistle blooms beautifully in late summer.

  • Gardeners often appreciate the beauty of the plumed thistle despite its prickly reputation.

  • Many gardeners love the plumed thistle for its vibrant colors.

  • Gardeners often appreciate the beauty of the plumed thistle despite its prickly reputation.

  • Some species of plumed thistle can grow very tall and attract many pollinators.

  • The plumed thistle is easily recognized by its spiny leaves and brilliant purple flowers.

Synonyms

thistle
vsplumed thistle
15 5.6

A wild plant with prickly leaves and purple flowers

refers specifically to showy biennial or perennial plants with varied flower colours
plume thistle
vsplumed thistle
9.6

A prickly plant with bright purple or yellow flower heads that attract insects

is the same meaning but is the alternate form of the name

Surface Forms

plumed thistle singular
plumed thistles plural

Morphology

plumed + thistle

The noun phrase is compositional: 'plumed' (feathered or having feather-like tufts) modifies 'thistle' (a plant), so the meaning of a thistle with showy, feather-like flower heads is directly inferable from the parts. This straightforward adjective + noun construction is a common, cross-linguistically transparent pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.

Etymology

Plumed thistle comes from the plant's feather-like flowers or seed tufts. The word plumed means a 'plume' like a feather and thistle is the prickly plant, so the name simply points to a thistle with showy, feathery blooms.