scented fern
- noun
- UK
- Medicinal tea can be made from scented fern leaves despite their bitter taste.
Examples
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In traditional remedies, extracts of scented fern were once used to treat digestive issues.
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The scented fern adds a lovely aroma to the garden.
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The garden's border was lined with scented fern to repel insects naturally.
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I found a scented fern at the local nursery.
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In traditional remedies, extracts of scented fern were once used to treat digestive issues.
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Medicinal tea can be made from scented fern leaves despite their bitter taste.
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The garden's border was lined with scented fern to repel insects naturally.
Synonyms
A common herb with small yellow button flowers and bitter leaves used to keep insects away
A garden herb that lives for many years with small yellow button flowers, bitter leaves, and a strong smell
A small plant with round yellow flowers and a strong smell used as a medicine
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.