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Glite Dictionary
Mirabilis laevis

Mirabilis laevis

9.9
A flowering plant native to California and nearby areas with purple red flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Mirabilis laevis
  • Gardeners enjoy growing Mirabilis laevis for its vivid purple-red flowers and drought resistance.

Examples

  • The hillside was covered with blooming Mirabilis laevis in the late afternoon sun.

  • The Mirabilis laevis blooms beautifully in the evening.

  • Botanists studied the ecological role of Mirabilis laevis in local habitats.

  • In California, Mirabilis laevis is often found in gardens.

  • Gardeners enjoy growing Mirabilis laevis for its vivid purple-red flowers and drought resistance.

  • The hillside was covered with blooming Mirabilis laevis in the late afternoon sun.

  • In California, Mirabilis laevis is often found in gardens.

Synonyms

Mirabilis californica
vsMirabilis laevis
  • Specialized
9.9

A California plant with purple red flowers that open in the late afternoon

is a different species with similar appearance and the same native range
California four o'clock
vsMirabilis laevis
  • US
9.1

A wildflower with purple-red flowers that open in the late afternoon

is a distinct species sharing the same flower color and native area

Surface Forms

Mirabilis laevis singular
Mirabilis laevis plural

Morphology

Mirabilis + laevis

This is a Latin taxonomic binomial (a proper name) identifying a particular species rather than a compositional English phrase; such names function as labels and are not interpretable from ordinary English word meanings. One constituent is not attested in the learner dictionary and even if 'Mirabilis' (evening-blooming plants) were known, a B1 learner would not reliably infer the species identity or common name from these parts, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Mirabilis laevis comes from Latin words: mirabilis meaning 'wonderful' and laevis meaning 'smooth'. So, the name describes the plant's bright purple-red flowers and smooth leaves and helps you remember this plant by its look.