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tarweed

tarweed

9.9
Plants with sticky leaves and a strong smell that grow in western North America
  • noun
  • /ˈtɑːrˌwiːd/
  • US
translation icon : planta de alquitrán
  • The hikers noticed the strong scent of tarweed as they passed through the meadow.

Examples

  • The tarweed grew abundantly in the warm climate.

  • Some species of tarweed are valued for their oil-rich seeds.

  • In late summer, the fields were covered with sticky tarweed plants in full bloom.

  • Many tarweeds thrive in sandy soils.

  • The farmer planted tarweed among the native plants to enhance the ecosystem.

  • In California, tarweed blooms attract numerous pollinators during the summer months.

  • The sticky sap from the tarweed plants can be used to create natural adhesives.

Synonyms

Grindelia
vstarweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of sticky herbs in the daisy family with yellow flowers

is the general term for sticky resinous western American plants
Madia
vstarweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A sticky plant with yellow flowers that grows in western North and South America

is the broader name for sticky resinous plants in western America
gumweed
vstarweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A western North American plant with sticky sap and yellow flowers that can poison livestock

refers more generally to sticky resinous plants beyond medicinal uses
gum plant
vstarweed
  • Specialized
8.8

A western American plant with sticky leaves sometimes used as medicine but poisonous to animals

is the broader name for sticky western plants beyond livestock risk
common tarweed
vstarweed
  • US
8.6

A California annual plant with yellow petals marked by red-brown spots near the base

is a general label for sticky resinous western plants not only this species

Compounds

Chile tarweed
  • Specialized
9.9

A South American herb with sticky leaves grown for oil

A California annual plant with yellow petals marked by red-brown spots near the base

Surface Forms

tarweed singular
tarweeds plural

Morphology

tarweed = tar + weed (transparent) = tar + weed

Clear compound of 'tar' + 'weed' referring to a plant with tar-like sticky resin; meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Tarweed is simply the combination of tar ('black, sticky substance') and weed ('a wild plant'), because these plants are covered in sticky sap and often have a strong smell. So, tarweed means a wild plant that is sticky like tar.