showy milkweed
- noun
- /ˈʃoʊi ˈmɪlkˌwiːd/
- US
:
algodoncillo vistoso
- Each stem of the showy milkweed bears clusters of vibrant, star-shaped flowers.
Examples
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The garden was filled with showy milkweed, attracting dozens of butterflies.
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Conservationists planted showy milkweed to support the local monarch population.
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The showy milkweed blooms beautifully in the summer.
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Many gardeners love planting showy milkweeds for their vibrant colors.
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The garden became a beautiful sight when the showy milkweed bloomed with its large, star-shaped flowers.
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Bees and butterflies are often attracted to the showy milkweed due to its vibrant purple and pink blossoms.
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In the wildflower patch, the showy milkweed stands out with its striking flowers during the summer.
Synonyms
7
7.9
A plant with milky sap and pods that release seeds with silky hairs
A plant with large star-shaped purple and pink flowers that attracts butterflies
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase denotes a milkweed that is 'showy'—i.e. visually striking—which follows directly from combining the adjective 'showy' (attractive, attention-drawing) with the noun 'milkweed' (a plant). This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Showy milkweed gets its name from how it looks. The word showy means 'very eye-catching' because of its large, star-shaped purple and pink flowers, and milkweed refers to the plant's white, 'milky' sap, so the name helps you picture this colorful garden plant today.