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Glite Dictionary
turpentine weed

turpentine weed

9.9
A low, sticky plant with narrow leaves and small yellow flower heads that smells of resin
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : hierba de trementina
  • The sticky leaves of turpentine weed are easily identified by their strong, resinous smell.

Examples

  • The bright yellow flower heads of turpentine weed attract various pollinators in the arid desert regions.

  • We found turpentine weed growing in abundance along the dusty roadside in Arizona.

  • Local wildlife often avoids turpentine weed because of its pungent odor and taste.

  • The turpentine weed grows abundantly in Arizona.

  • Many gardeners dislike turpentine weeds due to their stickiness.

  • In the Southwestern United States, turpentine weed is commonly found in sandy soil and rocky terrain.

  • When hiking through the desert, it's easy to spot turpentine weed due to its distinctive sticky leaves and vibrant flowers.

Synonyms

snakeweed
vsturpentine weed
  • US
1 9.9

A low, sticky plant with narrow leaves and many small yellow flowers that grows in the US Southwest

is the general name used for that kind of low yellow-flowered shrub
Gutierrezia sarothrae
vsturpentine weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A low sticky shrub of dry land in the American Southwest with many thin branches and small yellow flowers

is a general name for that same low sticky subshrub rather than a scientific label
rabbit-weed
vsturpentine weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A low, sticky bush with narrow leaves and many small yellow flowers

names the same type of plant in general terms rather than a special label
rabbitweed
vsturpentine weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A low, sticky bush with many small yellow flowers

refers to that same general plant form rather than a different botanical nuance
broom snakeroot
vsturpentine weed
  • US
9.9

A low sticky bush with narrow leaves, many thin branches, and many tiny yellow flowers

is the common name for similar plants, not a strictly botanical distinction
broom snakeweed
vsturpentine weed
  • US
9.9

A low sticky bush with many small yellow flowers

is the broader common label for similar small yellow-flowered shrubs rather than a variant name
Trichostema lanceolatum
vsturpentine weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant from the western United States with a strong smell called vinegar weed or turpentine weed

focuses on the plant identity itself rather than on shared common names
turpentine camphor weed
vsturpentine weed
  • US
9.6

A plant from western United States with a strong smell and sticky resin on its leaves

is the common name emphasizing the plant form, not mainly its strong scent

Surface Forms

turpentine weed singular
turpentine weeds plural

Morphology

turpentine + weed

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound: 'turpentine' denotes a resin/solvent with a characteristic resinous smell or quality and 'weed' denotes a plant, so the combined form refers to a plant associated with turpentine-like resin/smell or properties. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer it is a type of plant with those qualities, so the expression is compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Turpentine weed gets its name from the plant's sticky leaves and the strong smell people say is like turpentine. So the name simply describes a common weed known for its sharp 'smell'.