Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Listera ovata

Listera ovata

9.9
A small orchid with two broad oval leaves and a spike of greenish flowers native to Europe and central Asia
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Listera ovata
  • Listera ovata is easily recognized by its distinctive pair of broad leaves.

Examples

  • The forest floor was carpeted with Listera ovata in early summer.

  • Botanists recorded several specimens of Listera ovata near the woodland edge.

  • Look at that beautiful Listera ovata!

  • I spotted a rare Listera ovata during my hike in the Swiss Alps.

  • Listera ovata is easily recognized by its distinctive pair of broad leaves.

  • Botanists recorded several specimens of Listera ovata near the woodland edge.

  • I spotted a rare Listera ovata during my hike in the Swiss Alps.

Synonyms

twayblade
vsListera ovata
  • UK
9.9

A small wild orchid with two wide leaves and greenish flowers

is a specific species with a long flower spike and defined native range

Surface Forms

Listera ovata singular
Listera ovatas plural

Morphology

Listera + ovata

The name is a Latin binomial combining a genus (Listera) and a descriptive epithet (ovata), so if a learner knows both constituents they can partly infer it denotes a Listera species with ovate/oval features. However, the elements are technical/Latin (the epithet 'ovata' is not common English and 'Listera' is a taxonomic genus), so the specific species sense is not fully predictable for an average B1 learner without exposure.

Etymology

Listera ovata may be named for a naturalist called Lister and comes from the Latin word ovata, which means 'oval' or 'egg-shaped'. The picture is simple: this little orchid has two broad, oval leaves, so the name points to its shape and helps you remember the plant.