Aleppo grass
- noun
- /əˈlɛpoʊ ˌɡræs/
- Specialized
:
hierba de Alepo
- Farmers in the southern United States struggle to control the spread of Aleppo grass on their land.
Examples
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Although Aleppo grass is used for fodder in some regions, it is considered a noxious weed in others.
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Aleppo grass can quickly overtake farm fields, making it difficult for other crops to grow.
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Look at this Aleppo grass!
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The Aleppo grass is thriving.
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Aleppo grass can quickly overtake farm fields, making it difficult for other crops to grow.
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Farmers in the southern United States struggle to control the spread of Aleppo grass on their land.
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Although Aleppo grass is used for fodder in some regions, it is considered a noxious weed in others.
Synonyms
A tall grass that grows back each year, used to feed animals and often a harmful weed
A tall grass that spreads quickly and often grows as a harmful weed sometimes used for animal feed
A tall grass that spreads by creeping roots and feeds animals but can be a farm pest
A tall grass that lives for many years, spreads by underground stems, and is grown for farm animal food
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'grass' provides the basic category and the proper noun 'Aleppo' functions as a place-based modifier, so a B1 learner who knows both words would infer this refers to a type of grass associated with Aleppo. Specific botanical details (perennial, fodder, weed) are not predictable, but the core meaning as a kind of grass is transparently compositional and cross-linguistically common.
Etymology
Aleppo grass may come from the city of Aleppo, because people once thought the tall grass came 'from Aleppo' and the place name stuck. That's why the name today refers to this spreading, often unwanted, plant.
