poker plant
- noun
- South African
:
planta de póker
- The poker plant adds a vivid splash of color to any summer garden.
Examples
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In full bloom, the poker plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Gardeners often choose the poker plant for its striking flower spikes.
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The poker plant bloomed beautifully in the garden.
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I saw a stunning poker plant at the botanical garden.
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The garden was vibrant with the bright spikes of poker plant flowers swaying in the breeze.
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In the spring, the poker plant blossomed, showcasing its tall, striking red flowers.
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She planted a poker plant in her backyard to add a splash of color during the blooming season.
Synonyms
1
8.2
A tall garden plant with long spikes of bright red or orange flowers
A plant that lives for many years with tall spikes of red orange flowers
A garden plant with tall spikes of red or orange flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
poker + plant
The head noun 'plant' makes the semantic category clear, but the modifier 'poker' here refers to a tool/shape (as in 'red hot poker') rather than the common gambling sense. The meaning (a plant with tall spike-like flowers) is somewhat inferable from a resemblance metaphor, but this requires knowing the tool sense or the established name, so a B1 learner would not reliably derive it without prior exposure.
Etymology
Poker plant gets its name from its long, red flower spikes that look like a glowing metal poker used to stir a fire. That's why the plant is also called 'red hot poker' and the name means a plant with tall, bright, poker-like flowers.