Skip to main content
scented fern

scented fern

7.7
A small herb with yellow button flowers and bitter leaves used in traditional medicine
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : tansy
  • Medicinal tea can be made from scented fern leaves despite their bitter taste.

Examples

  • In traditional remedies, extracts of scented fern were once used to treat digestive issues.

  • The scented fern adds a lovely aroma to the garden.

  • The garden's border was lined with scented fern to repel insects naturally.

  • I found a scented fern at the local nursery.

  • In traditional remedies, extracts of scented fern were once used to treat digestive issues.

  • Medicinal tea can be made from scented fern leaves despite their bitter taste.

  • The garden's border was lined with scented fern to repel insects naturally.

Synonyms

tansy
vsscented fern
1 9.3

A common herb with small yellow button flowers and bitter leaves used to keep insects away

is a different common name sometimes used instead of that standard name
Tanacetum vulgare
vsscented fern
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden herb that lives for many years with small yellow button flowers, bitter leaves, and a strong smell

is the common everyday name for that identical aromatic Eurasian herb
golden buttons
vsscented fern
9.9

A small plant with round yellow flowers and a strong smell used as a medicine

is the more established common name rather than an alternate name used locally

Surface Forms

scented fern singular
scented ferns plural

Morphology

scented + fern

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'scented' (having a fragrance) modifies 'fern' (a plant), so the meaning 'a fern that has a pleasant smell' is directly derivable from the parts. This literal, compositional structure is common cross-linguistically and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Scented fern was also used for a common herb because its leaves and flowers give a strong smell, so the word scented tells about the smell and fern about the plant form. People made teas or used it 'as medicine', so the name also points to its use in remedies.