short-spurred fragrant orchid

9.9

A wild flower like the fragrant orchid with smaller flowers, shorter stems, and very short spurs

noun

Specialized

: orquídea fragante de espolones cortos

Many botany enthusiasts search fields in June hoping to spot the short-spurred fragrant orchid.

Examples

She photographed a rare cluster of short-spurred fragrant orchids near the edge of the meadow.
The short-spurred fragrant orchid is less common than other similar species in the region.
Look at that lovely short-spurred fragrant orchid!
Wow, a short-spurred fragrant orchid!
Many botany enthusiasts search fields in June hoping to spot the short-spurred fragrant orchid.
She photographed a rare cluster of short-spurred fragrant orchids near the edge of the meadow.
The short-spurred fragrant orchid is less common than other similar species in the region.

Synonyms

Gymnadenia odoratissima

vsshort-spurred fragrant orchid

Specialized

9.9

A wild orchid with short stems, small flowers, and a delicate smell

is the common descriptive name for the same orchid species

Surface Forms

short-spurred fragrant orchid singular

short-spurred fragrant orchids plural

Morphology

short-spurred + fragrant + orchid

The phrase is a transparent noun phrase composed of descriptive adjectives: 'short-spurred' (having short spurs) and 'fragrant' (scented) modifying 'orchid'. A B1 learner who knows the component meanings can readily infer it refers to an orchid that smells pleasant and has relatively short spurs, following normal adjectival composition patterns.

Etymology

Short-spurred fragrant orchid comes from how the plant looks: the flower is short-spurred because it has a small spur (a short tube holding 'nectar') and it is fragrant because it gives off a strong smell that attracts insects. So the name means a 'kind of orchid' with smaller flowers, shorter spurs, and a sweet scent.