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Cyperus rotundus

Cyperus rotundus

9.9
A common weed that has small edible tubers like tiny potatoes underground
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cyperus rotundus
  • Gardeners struggle to remove Cyperus rotundus because of its persistent underground tubers.

Examples

  • Cyperus rotundus is often considered one of the world's worst weeds due to its resilience.

  • Traditional medicine in some cultures uses the tubers of Cyperus rotundus for various remedies.

  • The Cyperus rotundus plant grows abundantly in tropical climates.

  • Farmers often struggle with Cyperus rotundus in their fields.

  • Cyperus rotundus is known for its small edible tubers, which can be harvested for food.

  • Farmers often consider Cyperus rotundus a major weed due to its rapid growth and spread.

  • In many regions, controlling Cyperus rotundus is challenging because of its resilient nature.

Synonyms

nutsedge
vsCyperus rotundus
1 9.9

A plant like grass with small edible nutlike parts under the ground

is the specific species rather than the broader genus group
ground almond
vsCyperus rotundus
  • UK
9.9

A small European plant with edible tubers that look like nuts

is the widely distributed species commonly seen as a weed
nutgrass
vsCyperus rotundus
8.9

A grass-like plant with small edible nutlike roots often seen as a weed

is the exact named species commonly treated as a weed
nut grass
vsCyperus rotundus
7.8

A grasslike plant with small edible parts under the ground that often grows as a weed

is the species name used generally, not focused on leaf form
nut sedge
vsCyperus rotundus
8.5

A grass-like plant with small round edible underground tubers that often grows as a weed

is the single species commonly found worldwide as a weed

Surface Forms

Morphology

Cyperus + rotundus

This is a Latin binomial name for a specific plant species; the meaning (a perennial sedge with nutlike tubers often considered a weed) is not compositionally predictable from the parts for a B1 learner. Even if a learner recognizes 'Cyperus' as a plant genus, the species epithet and specific properties are not transparently derivable, so the expression functions as an opaque proper name.

Etymology

Cyperus rotundus comes from old words: Cyperus means a kind of 'sedge' and rotundus is a Latin word for 'round', because the plant makes small round tubers underground. That's why the name fits a tough weed with small, nutlike tubers that are hard to remove.