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Ascophyllum nodosum

Ascophyllum nodosum

9.8
A large brown seaweed that grows on North Atlantic coasts and is used as plant food and feed for animals
  • noun
  • /æskəˈfɪləm ˈnoʊdəˌsʌm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Ascophyllum nodosum
  • Farmers in coastal regions often collect Ascophyllum nodosum to use as a natural fertilizer for their crops.

Examples

  • The shores were covered with Ascophyllum nodosum, commonly called knotted wrack by locals.

  • Scientists study Ascophyllum nodosum because of its high nutrient content and environmental importance.

  • Did you know that Ascophyllum nodosum can improve soil health?

  • Many farmers use Ascophyllum nodosum as a natural fertilizer.

  • Farmers in coastal regions often collect Ascophyllum nodosum to use as a natural fertilizer for their crops.

  • The shores were covered with Ascophyllum nodosum, commonly called knotted wrack by locals.

  • Many farmers use Ascophyllum nodosum as a natural fertilizer.

Synonyms

seaweed
vsAscophyllum nodosum
41 1.0

A plant that grows in the sea, often in long green or brown sheets

is one specific large brown marine plant with known uses and habitat
rockweed
vsAscophyllum nodosum
1 9.0

A rough brown seaweed that grows on rocks at low tide

is the specific large brown species not just any coarse shore plant
wrack
vsAscophyllum nodosum
1 9.9

Seaweed and other water plants washed up on the shore

is a specific North Atlantic brown species used for fertilizer and feed
fucoid
vsAscophyllum nodosum
  • Specialized
9.9

Brown seaweed that grows on rocky shores at low tide

is one particular large brown species within that family
sea wrack
vsAscophyllum nodosum
  • UK
8.4

Dead seaweed and other sea plants washed up on the shore

is a particular large marine plant often collected for fertilizer and feed

Surface Forms

Morphology

Ascophyllum + nodosum

This is a scientific Latin binomial (genus + species) composed of technical or Latin elements rather than ordinary English words; one element ('nodosum') is not a standard dictionary word. Even if a learner knew the genus term, B1 learners will not be able to derive the everyday meaning 'a type of brown seaweed used as fertilizer/animal feed' from these Latin/technical constituents, so the expression is not compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Ascophyllum nodosum gets its name from the parts Ascophyllum meaning 'leaf bag' and nodosum meaning 'knotty'. Its long stems have round bladders that look like little knots, so people call it 'knotted wrack' and often use it as a large brown seaweed for fertilizer.