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Glite Dictionary
scorpionweed

scorpionweed

9.9
A plant with curved clusters of small blue or purple flowers that grow in spring
  • noun
  • /ˈskɔːrpiənˌwiːd/
  • US
translation icon : hierba escorpión
  • The hillside was covered with blooming scorpionweed in the early spring.

Examples

  • Many pollinators are attracted to the distinctive blue flowers of scorpionweed.

  • Several species of scorpionweed are often used in wildflower gardens.

  • The scorpionweed blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Many gardeners enjoy planting scorpionweeds for their unique appearance.

  • The hillside was covered with blooming scorpionweed in the early spring.

  • Several species of scorpionweed are often used in wildflower gardens.

  • Many gardeners enjoy planting scorpionweed for its unique appearance.

Synonyms

scorpion weed
vsscorpionweed
  • US
9.8

A plant with clusters of purple or blue flowers that often grows in North America

is written as a single word instead of two
phacelia
vsscorpionweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant with clusters of blue or purple flowers that bees like

focuses more on curled flower clusters and broader geographic range

Surface Forms

scorpionweed singular
scorpionweeds plural

Morphology

scorpionweed = scorpion + weed (semi-transparent) = scorpion + weed

Formed from 'scorpion' + 'weed' referring to the plant's coiled flower clusters that resemble a scorpion's tail, so components are clear but the specific botanical name is metaphorical and somewhat specialized.

Etymology

The word scorpionweed joins scorpion, the animal, and weed, meaning a small plant, because its flower stems curl into a tight 'coil' that looks like a scorpion's 'tail', a simple image to help you remember it. So a scorpionweed is a plant, especially of the genus Phacelia, known for these coiled flower clusters.