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Glite Dictionary
Thrinax microcarpa

Thrinax microcarpa

9.9
A small palm with fan-shaped leaves that grows near the coasts of southern Florida and Cuba
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Thrinax microcarpa
  • The Thrinax microcarpa can often be found in the coastal habitats of southern Florida.

Examples

  • In her garden, she planted a Thrinax microcarpa for its decorative fan-shaped leaves.

  • Gardeners often choose the Thrinax microcarpa for its compact size and attractive fan-shaped leaves.

  • Botanists study the Thrinax microcarpa for its unique adaptation to sandy soils.

  • The Thrinax microcarpa is often found in coastal areas.

  • Many gardeners love the Thrinax microcarpa for its unique appearance.

  • The Thrinax microcarpa thrives in the sandy soils of southern Florida, making it a popular choice for coastal gardens.

  • You can spot the Thrinax microcarpa in many local parks, where it adds a tropical touch to the landscape.

Synonyms

key palm
vsThrinax microcarpa
  • US
7.2

A small fan-shaped tree that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

has identical meaning and is used interchangeably in description
silvertop palmetto
vsThrinax microcarpa
  • US
9.1

A small fan palm with silvery leaves that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

is the same palm but without emphasis on leaf color
silver thatch
vsThrinax microcarpa
  • US
9.9

A small palm tree with silvery leaves

is native only to southern Florida and Cuba not the wider range

Surface Forms

Thrinax microcarpa singular
Thrinax microcarpas plural

Morphology

Thrinax + microcarpa

This is a scientific binomial (genus + species). A learner who recognizes 'Thrinax' as a palm genus can infer it refers to a kind of palm, but the species epithet 'microcarpa' is Latin/technical (not found in the dictionary provided) and its descriptive sense ('small-fruited') is not reliably derivable by an average B1 learner. Thus the general category is inferable but the specific meaning is not fully predictable.

Etymology

Thrinax microcarpa comes from two parts: Thrinax, which may come from a Greek word for a three-part shape, and microcarpa, meaning 'small fruit'. So the name gives a picture of a small fan palm with tiny fruits, matching this short, stocky coastal palm.