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Glite Dictionary
soft shield fern

soft shield fern

9.1
A plant with soft feathery leaves that people grow in gardens for decoration
  • noun
translation icon : helecho escudo suave
  • Many gardeners prefer the soft shield fern for its delicate fronds and shade tolerance.

Examples

  • The soft shield fern thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

  • Several varieties of soft shield fern are popular in shaded garden borders.

  • The soft shield fern adds a lush green touch to any garden.

  • Are soft shield ferns suitable for indoor planting?

  • Many gardeners prefer the soft shield fern for its delicate fronds and shade tolerance.

  • Several varieties of soft shield fern are popular in shaded garden borders.

  • The soft shield fern thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

Synonyms

Polystichum setiferum
vssoft shield fern
  • Specialized
9.9

A European fern with soft feathery leaves often grown in shady gardens

is the common ornamental name for the same plant rather than the scientific term

Surface Forms

soft shield fern singular
soft shield ferns plural

Morphology

soft + shield + fern

The phrase is a descriptive compound naming a type of fern: a B1 learner who knows 'soft', 'shield', and 'fern' can infer it refers to a shield-fern that is soft (i.e. a soft variety of shield fern). This is a literal, compositional plant name rather than an idiom, so the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Soft shield fern gets its name from the plant's leaves: each leaf part looks like a small shield and the surface is softer than other shield ferns. That's why gardeners call this the 'soft' type of fern and grow it for shade and decoration.