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Glite Dictionary
Myosotis scorpiodes

Myosotis scorpiodes

9.9
A small plant with bright blue or white flowers that grows near water
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Myosotis scorpiodes
  • Gardeners appreciate Myosotis scorpiodes for its charming, long-lasting blue flowers.

Examples

  • The delicate Myosotis scorpiodes thrives along the edges of ponds and marshes.

  • We spotted several clusters of Myosotis scorpiodes blooming beside the quiet stream.

  • The Myosotis scorpiodes blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Have you ever seen a Myosotis scorpiodes flower?

  • Gardeners appreciate Myosotis scorpiodes for its charming, long-lasting blue flowers.

  • The delicate Myosotis scorpiodes thrives along the edges of ponds and marshes.

  • We spotted several clusters of Myosotis scorpiodes blooming beside the quiet stream.

Surface Forms

Myosotis scorpiodes singular
Myosotis scorpiodes plural

Morphology

Myosotis + scorpiodes

Knowing 'Myosotis' (a genus of small blue‑flowered plants) allows a learner to infer that this is a species of forget‑me‑not, so the basic referent (a plant species) is recoverable. However, 'scorpiodes' is not a common English word and the specific characteristics (perennial habit, habitat, flower color) are not derivable from the epithet; Latin binomial names are specialized and only partially informative to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Myosotis scorpiodes gets its name from old Greek parts myos and otis, meaning 'mouse ear', because the plant's small soft leaves look like tiny mouse ears, and scorpiodes means 'scorpion-like' for the way the flower stem curls like a scorpion's tail. So the name gives a simple picture of a little 'forget-me-not' with mouse-ear leaves and a curved flower stem, which helps you remember the plant.