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willowherb

willowherb

9.7
A plant with pink or yellow flowers and fluffy seeds that float in the wind
  • noun
  • /ˈwɪloʊˌhɜrb/
  • Specialized
translation icon : epilobio
  • The silky seeds of the willowherb floated away on the breeze.

Examples

  • The hedgerow was full of blooming willowherb in early summer.

  • Many species of willowherb thrive in disturbed soils and open spaces.

  • The willowherb blooms beautifully in late summer.

  • Look at the beautiful willowherb growing there!

  • In the summer, the meadow was awash with pink flowers from the willowherb plants swaying gently in the breeze.

  • The botanist identified the willowherb among other wildflowers during her field research in the national park.

  • Children were delighted to discover a patch of willowherb blooming brightly by the stream during their nature walk.

Synonyms

Epilobium
vswillowherb
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of flowering plants like fireweed that grow in cold regions

is a common plant name for members of that group
Epilobium hirsutum
vswillowherb
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall wild plant with purple flowers and hairy stems that grows in wet places

refers to the genus generally rather than one named species
hairy willowherb
vswillowherb
  • UK
9.5

A plant from Europe and Asia with purple red flowers and hairy stems that often grows near rivers

is used more generally for plants of the genus, not only this species
rosebay willowherb
vswillowherb
  • UK
9.6

A tall wild plant with narrow leaves and spikes of pink flowers that often grows after fires and attracts bees

is the generic name for such plants rather than this tall variety
giant willowherb
vswillowherb
  • US
9.9

A tall plant with many pink flowers that bees like

is a general plant name covering many species including this tall type

Compounds

A tall plant with many pink flowers that bees like

A plant from Europe and Asia with purple red flowers and hairy stems that often grows near rivers

A tall wild plant with narrow leaves and spikes of pink flowers that often grows after fires and attracts bees

Surface Forms

willowherb singular
willowherbs plural

Morphology

willowherb = willow + herb (transparent) = willow + herb

A straightforward compound: a plant (herb) characterised by leaves or appearance like a willow, so the meaning is directly inferable from the components.

Etymology

Willowherb is made from the words willow and herb, because its long, narrow leaves look like those of a willow tree, so the name means 'a herb with willow-like leaves'. That's why willowherb today refers to a small flowering plant with narrow leaves and silky seeds.