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Glite Dictionary
Erica tetralix

Erica tetralix

9.9
A low shrub with small pink flowers that grows in wet heaths and bogs
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : erica tetralix
  • The wet heath was dotted with the pale pink blooms of Erica tetralix in midsummer.

Examples

  • We saw several clumps of Erica tetralix along the trail during our hike.

  • Botanists often study Erica tetralix to understand adaptation in bog environments.

  • The Erica tetralix blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Many gardeners love Erica tetralix for its vibrant flowers.

  • In the wet heath, the delicate flowers of Erica tetralix created a stunning pink carpet.

  • During our nature walk, we admired the bright blooms of Erica tetralix swaying in the breeze.

  • The Erica tetralix is often found thriving in damp, marshy areas, adding beauty to the landscape.

Synonyms

cross-leaved heath
vsErica tetralix
  • UK
9.9

A small European shrub with pink bell-shaped flowers and leaves in groups of four

is the scientific name for the same low growing shrub found in wet heaths

Surface Forms

Erica tetralix singular
Erica tetralixes plural

Morphology

erica + tetralix

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Erica' (a plant genus) lets a learner infer this is a type of plant, so part of the meaning (that it is a species of Erica) is recoverable. However, 'tetralix' is not an ordinary English word and does not transparently convey the specific features (low-growing, cross‑leaved, wet‑heath habitat) unless the learner knows Latin/Greek botanical epithets, so the full sense is not predictable.

Etymology

Erica tetralix may come from old Greek words: Erica meaning 'heather' and tetralix meaning 'four', because this small heath often has leaves in groups of four. That's why the name gives a clear image of a low heather with pale pink flowers that grows on wet ground and in bogs, which helps you remember the plant.