Cynodon dactylon
- noun
- /ˈsɪnədən ˈdæktɪlɒn/
- Specialized
- The lawn was lush and green because it was planted with Cynodon dactylon.
Examples
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The ground is densely covered by Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, and Distichlis spicata.
Academic text (2015) -
The dominant plants in all three habitats were Acacia modesta and Cynodon dactylon.
Academic text (2015) -
Farmers often choose Cynodon dactylon for pastures due to its drought resistance.
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Many homeowners prefer Cynodon dactylon for their yards as it withstands heat well.
Synonyms
A soft grass that grows close to the ground and people use for lawns and pasture in warm places
A grass that grows along the ground and is used for lawns and fields for animals
A grass that spreads quickly and forms a thick cover for lawns or pastures
A grass used for lawns and animal feed in warm places
A spreading grass often used for lawns and for animals to eat
A strong plant that spreads quickly and is used for lawns and pastures in warm places
Surface Forms
Morphology
Cynodon + dactylon
This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name rather than a compositional English phrase. Even if a learner knew 'Cynodon' means a type of grass, 'dactylon' is not an English word and the species-level meaning depends on taxonomic convention unfamiliar to a B1 learner, so they might infer it's some kind of grass but not the specific common name or precise meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
Cynodon dactylon may come from old Greek words meaning 'dog' and 'finger'. One popular story says people called the sharp, tooth-like blades Cynodon ('dog-tooth') and the way the grass sends out spreading stems dactylon ('finger'), so the name paints a picture of how this grass looks and grows.