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Arisaema triphyllum

Arisaema triphyllum

9.9
A woodland plant from eastern North America with a central hooded flower and red berries
  • noun
  • /ˌærɪˈseɪmə traɪˈfɪləm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Arisaema triphyllum
  • Many hikers find Arisaema triphyllum growing in shaded, moist forests across eastern North America.

Examples

  • The bright red berries of Arisaema triphyllum appear in late summer after the flowering season.

  • Native bees are attracted to the distinctive flowers of Arisaema triphyllum each spring.

  • The Arisaema triphyllum blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Look at that Arisaema triphyllum!

  • Hikers often come across Arisaema triphyllum thriving in the damp, shaded areas of eastern North American forests.

  • In early spring, Arisaema triphyllum displays unique flowers that attract various native bees.

  • By late summer, Arisaema triphyllum produces bright red berries that add color to the woodland landscape.

Synonyms

jack-in-the-pulpit
vsArisaema triphyllum
  • US
1 9.9

A woodland plant with a hooded green or purple flower and red berries

is the formal scientific name rather than the familiar name
Indian turnip
vsArisaema triphyllum
  • US
8.6

A North American woodland plant with leaves that have three parts and bright red berries

is the scientific name for the same plant

Surface Forms

Morphology

Arisaema + triphyllum

This is a taxonomic Latin binomial (genus + species) rather than a ordinary English compositional phrase; the listed constituents are either technical (a genus name) or not found as English words ('triphyllum'), so a B1 learner cannot derive the plant identity or description from them. Because the meaning (a specific woodland plant, Jack-in-the-pulpit) is technical and language-specific, it is not predictable from the parts and is therefore opaque.

Etymology

Arisaema triphyllum points to how the plant looks: triphyllum means 'three leaves' because the plant usually has a leaf with three parts. The hooded flower hides a small central stalk like a little 'Jack' standing in a 'pulpit', so people call it 'Jack-in-the-pulpit' today.