small cane

5.8

A grass like reeds that grows in wet places like marshes, often in the southern United States

noun

: caña pequeña

The wetlands were filled with small cane growing along the edges of the ponds.

Examples

Local wildlife uses the dense stands of small cane as shelter from predators.
The small cane grows near the riverbank.
During the summer, small cane forms a lush green border around the marshlands.
I found a small cane while hiking.
The wetlands were filled with small cane growing along the edges of the ponds.
Local wildlife uses the dense stands of small cane as shelter from predators.
During the summer, small cane forms a lush green border around the marshlands.

Synonyms

cane

vssmall cane

60 3.2

A strong thin part of a plant used to make furniture or baskets

is a narrower wetland reed sense rather than general plant stems

switch cane

vssmall cane

Specialized

9.9

A tall grass that grows in wet places in the southern United States

is a broader name for such reed grass rather than that specific named form

Arundinaria tecta

vssmall cane

Specialized

9.9

A small cane grass that grows in wet places in the southeastern United States

is the common non scientific name for similar plants

Surface Forms

small cane singular

small canes plural

Morphology

small + cane

The referent 'a small type of cane (reed-like grass)' is directly and compositionally derived from 'small' (limited in size) + 'cane' (a stem or reed), so a learner who knows both words will infer it denotes a small cane plant. Minor botanical specifics (e.g. exact habitat) are additional information but not necessary for basic comprehension of the compound.

Etymology

Small cane is the name for a short, reed-like grass that grows in wet places such as marshes and pond edges. People thought the thin stems looked like little canes or 'walking sticks' by the water, so the plant came to be called small cane.