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Glite Dictionary
stagger bush

stagger bush

9.9
A bush with pinkish-white nodding flowers that is poisonous to farm animals
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : arbusto tambaleante
  • Several cows became ill after grazing near the stagger bush in the pasture.

Examples

  • The farmer warned his children to stay away from the stagger bush growing near the fence line.

  • In spring, the stagger bush produces attractive pinkish-white flowers.

  • The stagger bush blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the stagger bush for its unique flowers.

  • The farmer warned his children to stay away from the stagger bush because it is poisonous to livestock.

  • In spring, the stagger bush produces attractive pinkish-white flowers that can be harmful to animals.

  • Several cows became ill after grazing near the stagger bush in the pasture, highlighting its toxicity.

Synonyms

staggerbush
vsstagger bush
  • US
9.9

A bush that loses its leaves, has drooping pink and white flowers and is poisonous to farm animals

is written as two separate words rather than a single word
Lyonia mariana
vsstagger bush
  • Specialized
9.9

A bush from the eastern United States that loses its leaves and has nodding pinkish-white flowers poisonous to farm animals

uses a common English name instead of the scientific Latin name

Surface Forms

stagger bush singular
stagger bushes plural

Morphology

stagger + bush

The compound combines 'bush' (a small woody plant) with 'stagger' (to move unsteadily), so a learner who knows both words will likely infer it is a plant that causes staggering (i.e., is poisonous). However, the specific botanical details (deciduous, coastal distribution, nodding flowers, livestock toxicity) are not fully derivable from the constituents, so the relation is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Stagger bush gets its name from animals that ate it and began to stagger, meaning to walk unsteadily. That's why the shrub is known as 'poisonous to livestock'.