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Glite Dictionary
Allium acuminatum

Allium acuminatum

9.9
A North American wild onion with a strong onion smell and pink flowers on a leafless stem
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Allium acuminatum
  • The strong onion scent of Allium acuminatum makes it easy to identify in the wild.

Examples

  • In spring, Allium acuminatum blooms with pink flowers.

  • Native peoples traditionally harvested the bulbs of Allium acuminatum for food.

  • During our hike, we spotted several clusters of Allium acuminatum blooming on the hillside.

  • The Allium acuminatum has a strong onion odor.

  • During our hike, we spotted several clusters of Allium acuminatum blooming on the hillside.

  • Native peoples traditionally harvested the bulbs of Allium acuminatum for food.

  • The strong onion scent of Allium acuminatum makes it easy to identify in the wild.

Synonyms

wild onion
vsAllium acuminatum
1 3.8

A wild plant like a small onion with edible bulbs and a strong smell

is a specific North American species with strong smell and pink umbel
Hooker's onion
vsAllium acuminatum
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A wild plant with a strong onion smell and pink flowers on a stalk

is the scientific name for that same species

Surface Forms

Allium acuminatum singular
Allium acuminatums plural

Morphology

Allium + acuminatum

The genus element 'Allium' clearly signals a plant in the onion/garlic group, so a learner who knows that constituent can infer the MWE refers to a type of onion. However the species epithet 'acuminatum' is Latin and not transparently interpretable for a B1 learner (and is shown here as undefined), so the precise sense remains opaque without botanical or Latin knowledge.

Etymology

Allium acuminatum comes from old Latin words: Allium means 'onion' and acuminatum means 'pointed'. So the name makes you think of a 'pointed onion' and helps you remember this wild onion with pointy buds and a strong onion smell.