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Glite Dictionary
Dryas octopetala

Dryas octopetala

9.9
A low spreading evergreen shrub with large white flowers that grows in cold mountains and Arctic areas
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dryas octopetala
  • The Dryas octopetala blooms early in the alpine spring, brightening rocky slopes with its white petals.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the distribution of Dryas octopetala across Arctic tundra ecosystems.

  • Gardens with well-drained soil can successfully cultivate Dryas octopetala for its ornamental flowers.

  • The Dryas octopetala thrives in cold climates.

  • Have you seen the Dryas octopetala blooming this spring?

  • In rocky areas, Dryas octopetala adds beauty with its large white flowers during spring.

  • Gardens with well-drained soil can successfully cultivate Dryas octopetala for its ornamental flowers.

  • Researchers studied the distribution of Dryas octopetala across Arctic tundra ecosystems.

Synonyms

mountain avens
vsDryas octopetala
  • UK
9.3

A low evergreen shrub that spreads along the ground with white flowers in cold mountains

is the scientific name used instead of the common name

Surface Forms

Dryas octopetala singular
Dryas octopetalas plural

Morphology

Dryas + octopetala

This is a Latin botanical binomial (genus Dryas + species epithet octopetala). A B1 learner who knows 'Dryas' as a shrub would not be able to derive the species sense from the Latin element 'octopetala' (literally ‘eight‑petaled’) because the epithet is not a productive English lexical combination. Scientific Latin names are language-specific and not compositional in everyday English, so the meaning is not predictable for learners.

Etymology

Dryas octopetala gets its name from Greek words: Dryas refers to a 'mountain spirit' and octopetala means 'eight petals'. The plant's white flowers usually have about eight petals on rocky mountain ground, so the name helps you remember this small alpine flower.