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Glite Dictionary
Convolvulus scammonia

Convolvulus scammonia

9.9
A climbing plant with cream to purple flowers whose thick roots make a strong laxative
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Convolvulus scammonia
  • The thick roots of Convolvulus scammonia are harvested to extract scammony resin.

Examples

  • Convolvulus scammonia has been traditionally used in medicine for its strong laxative properties.

  • Farmers in Turkey cultivate Convolvulus scammonia for its roots.

  • Gardeners rarely cultivate Convolvulus scammonia due to its potent medicinal effects.

  • The Convolvulus scammonia plant is known for its medicinal properties.

  • Convolvulus scammonia is often sought after for its thick roots, which produce a resin known for its laxative effects.

  • Many herbalists utilize Convolvulus scammonia because of its reputation as an effective cathartic.

  • The resin obtained from Convolvulus scammonia has been used in traditional medicine for its strong purgative qualities.

Synonyms

scammony
vsConvolvulus scammonia
  • Archaic
9.9

A climbing plant with thick roots once used in medicine

refers to the specific Asian Minor twining species whose roots yield cathartic resin

Surface Forms

Convolvulus scammonia singular
Convolvulus scammoniae plural

Morphology

Convolvulus + scammonia

This is a Latin binomial: a learner who knows 'Convolvulus' can transparently infer it names a species of bindweed (i.e. a plant), but the specific epithet 'scammonia' is not a general English word and gives no obvious information about the plant's medicinal resin or cathartic use. Thus the basic class (a Convolvulus plant) is predictable, but the detailed meaning and properties are not, making the overall item only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Convolvulus scammonia gives a simple picture: Convolvulus shows its twisting stems that wind around other plants, and scammonia points to the thick roots that produce a resin called 'scammony'. People long used that root resin as a strong 'laxative', so the name links the plant to its medical use to make people go to the toilet.