Microgramma piloselloides
- noun
- Specialized
:
Microgramma piloselloides
- The leaves of Microgramma piloselloides often carpet the trunks of trees in tropical forests.
Examples
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Because Microgramma piloselloides is an epiphytic fern, it grows on trees rather than in the soil.
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Botanists documented several specimens of Microgramma piloselloides during their expedition to South America.
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The Microgramma piloselloides thrives in humid environments.
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Have you seen a Microgramma piloselloides before?
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The leaves of Microgramma piloselloides often carpet the trunks of trees in tropical forests.
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Botanists documented several specimens of Microgramma piloselloides during their expedition to South America.
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Because Microgramma piloselloides is an epiphytic fern, it grows on trees rather than in the soil.
Synonyms
A fern that grows on trees and stays attached with long creeping roots
Surface Forms
Morphology
Microgramma + piloselloides
This is a Latin binomial (a proper scientific name) referring to a specific fern species, so its referent is not compositionally derived from ordinary English words. The second element 'piloselloides' is not a common English word and the Latin naming conventions (and any affixes) are unlikely to be known by a B1 learner, making the overall meaning unpredictable from the parts.
Etymology
Microgramma piloselloides comes from old Greek and Latin parts: micro meaning 'small' and piloselloides meaning 'hair-like'. This gives a clear picture of the fern's tiny, hair-like runners that carpet tree trunks, so the name fits a fern that 'grows on trees'.
