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Glite Dictionary
Carolina lupine

Carolina lupine

7.8
A plant that lives for many years with tall spikes of yellow pea-like flowers
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : lupino de Carolina
  • Gardeners often plant Carolina lupine for its showy, lupine-like flower spikes.

Examples

  • Unlike true lupines, Carolina lupine prefers slightly acidic soils and tolerates heat well.

  • The Carolina lupine brightened the garden with its vibrant yellow blooms.

  • The Carolina lupine blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Have you seen a Carolina lupine before?

  • Gardeners often plant Carolina lupine for its showy, lupine-like flower spikes.

  • The Carolina lupine brightened the garden with its vibrant yellow blooms.

  • The Carolina lupine blooms beautifully in the spring.

Synonyms

Thermopsis villosa
vsCarolina lupine
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bushy pea plant from eastern United States with bright yellow flowers that people grow in gardens

is the common name for the same plant with tall yellow flower spires

Surface Forms

Carolina lupine singular
Carolina lupines plural

Morphology

Carolina + lupine

The phrase is compositionally built from a place-name + noun: 'Carolina' (a geographic name) + 'lupine' (a type of plant), so its basic meaning — a lupine associated with or from Carolina — is directly derivable. Place-name + species nouns are a common and predictable naming pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it refers to a plant linked to Carolina (even if botanical specifics are specialized).

Etymology

Carolina lupine gets its name from where it grows and how it looks: Carolina points to the US region ('the Carolinas'), and lupine refers to its tall, yellow flower spikes that look like 'true lupines'. So the name tells you it is a plant from that area with lupine-like flowers.