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Glite Dictionary
Thunbergia alata

Thunbergia alata

9.9
A climbing plant from Africa with yellow flowers and a dark purple centre used to decorate gardens
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Thunbergia alata
  • The Thunbergia alata quickly covered the trellis with its lush green leaves and striking flowers.

Examples

  • We planted a Thunbergia alata near the fence, and its yellow blooms brightened the garden all summer.

  • Gardeners appreciate Thunbergia alata for its fast growth and decorative appeal in warm climates.

  • The beautiful Thunbergia alata blooms in my garden.

  • Have you seen the Thunbergia alata in bloom?

  • Gardeners appreciate Thunbergia alata for its fast growth and decorative appeal in warm climates.

  • We planted a Thunbergia alata near the fence, and its yellow blooms brightened the garden all summer.

  • The Thunbergia alata quickly covered the trellis with its lush green leaves and striking flowers.

Synonyms

black-eyed Susan
vsThunbergia alata
1 7.2

A climbing African plant with yellow flowers and a dark purple center used for decoration

is the botanical name rather than the brief common form
black-eyed Susan vine
vsThunbergia alata
7.9

A climbing plant from tropical Africa with yellow flowers that have a dark purple center

is the same species but uses the scientific name instead of a common phrase

Surface Forms

Thunbergia alata singular
Thunbergia alatas plural

Morphology

Thunbergia + alata

This is a Latin binomial species name composed of a genus (Thunbergia) and a Latin epithet (alata) rather than a semantic phrase in everyday English. B1 learners who know the listed constituents would not be able to derive the specific referent 'a tropical climbing ornamental plant' from these proper/taxonomic elements, so the meaning is lexicalized and opaque.

Etymology

Thunbergia alata comes from a plant scientist's name, Thunbergia, plus the Latin word alata meaning 'winged'. One popular story says 'winged' refers to the petals or seed parts that look like tiny wings, and that picture helps gardeners remember this climbing vine with bright, dark-centred flowers.