Hibiscus mutabilis
- noun
- /hɪˈbɪskəs mjuˈtæbɪləs/
- Specialized
:
hibisco mutabilis
- Gardeners are drawn to Hibiscus mutabilis for its striking transformation from pale pink to deep red blossoms.
Examples
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In the southeastern United States, Hibiscus mutabilis has become a popular ornamental plant.
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The Hibiscus mutabilis in her garden dazzled visitors with its flowers that changed color throughout the day.
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The Hibiscus mutabilis blooms beautifully in my garden.
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Have you seen the Hibiscus mutabilis at the botanical garden?
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Gardeners are drawn to Hibiscus mutabilis for its striking transformation from pale pink to deep red blossoms.
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In the southeastern United States, Hibiscus mutabilis has become a popular ornamental plant.
-
The Hibiscus mutabilis in her garden dazzled visitors with its flowers that changed color throughout the day.
Synonyms
A small tree or shrub with large flowers that change from white to deep red through pink as they age
A Chinese bush with large flowers that change from white or pink to deep red in a day
A small tree with large flowers that change from white or pink to deep red in one day
Surface Forms
Morphology
Hibiscus + mutabilis
The binomial combines 'Hibiscus' (a genus of flowering plants) with the epithet 'mutabilis' (Latin for 'changeable'), so a learner who knows both constituents could infer it refers to a hibiscus that changes in some way. However, the exact property described (flowers turning deep red at night) and the conventions of Latin species names are not fully predictable for a B1 learner, so the meaning is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Hibiscus mutabilis is a shrub whose large flowers slowly change color during the day, often going from pale pink or white to deep red by evening. The second word mutabilis means 'changeable', so the name helps you remember the plant for its striking color shift.
