Nolina microcarpa

9.9

A small stemless plant with groups of grasslike leaves and upright clusters of creamy white flowers

noun

Specialized

: Nolina microcarpa

The Nolina microcarpa thrives in arid regions of Arizona and New Mexico.

Examples

The creamy white flowers of Nolina microcarpa bloom in late spring.
Gardeners admire the unique appearance of Nolina microcarpa in xeriscape landscapes.
The Nolina microcarpa thrives in arid climates.
Many gardeners love the Nolina microcarpa for its unique look.
Gardeners admire the unique appearance of Nolina microcarpa in xeriscape landscapes.
The Nolina microcarpa thrives in arid regions of Arizona and New Mexico.
The creamy white flowers of Nolina microcarpa bloom in late spring.

Surface Forms

Nolina microcarpa singular

Nolina microcarpas plural

Morphology

Nolina + microcarpa

This is a taxonomic Latin binomial: the form 'Nolina microcarpa' signals a species of the genus Nolina, so the general idea (‘a type of Nolina plant’) is recoverable from the constituents. However, the specific epithet 'microcarpa' is a Latin/Greek-form element (not a normal English word and not defined here), so the precise descriptive meaning is not fully predictable to an average B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Nolina microcarpa has two parts: Nolina is the group name for these desert plants that grow without a stem, and microcarpa comes from parts meaning 'small fruit'. So the name gives a simple picture: a plant without a stem, with tufts of grass-like leaves and small fruits, which helps you remember it.