alpine sunflower
- noun
- /ˈælpaɪn ˈsʌnˌfloʊər/
- US
- Hikers were delighted to spot a rare alpine sunflower along the trail.
Examples
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Each alpine sunflower had a bright yellow head that stood out against the snow patches.
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The alpine sunflower blooms in late spring on the rocky slopes of the Rockies.
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The alpine sunflower blooms beautifully in the summer.
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I spotted an alpine sunflower while hiking in Colorado.
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The alpine sunflower blooms brightly in the steep meadows of the mountains during summer.
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In the harsh climate, the alpine sunflower stands resilient, attracting pollinators with its vibrant yellow petals.
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Hikers often pause to admire the alpine sunflower as they traverse the rocky trails of the northern highlands.
Synonyms
A small wild plant with feathery leaves and large yellow flower heads that grows in north-central US mountains
A tall mountain plant with soft thin leaves like feathers and large yellow flowers
A wildflower that grows on mountains and has large yellow daisy-like flowers in the north central United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'alpine' (of high mountain regions) modifies 'sunflower' (a yellow-flowered plant), so a B1 learner can infer it denotes a sunflower that grows in mountainous areas. This is a fully compositional, non-idiomatic pattern common across languages, making the meaning immediately derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Alpine sunflower joins alpine (meaning 'of the mountains') and sunflower (a bright yellow flower). The name gives a clear picture: a small, tough yellow flower growing on high, rocky slopes, so it helps you remember this plant that lives in mountain areas.