barrenwort

1 9.9

A slow-growing plant with thin stems and leaves that stay green most of the year used as ground cover

noun
/ˈbɛrənˌwɔrt/

: epimedium

The shady border was filled with barrenwort, creating a lush green carpet.

Examples

Gardeners often choose barrenwort for its ability to thrive in dry, shady spots.
In early spring, delicate flowers appear on the barrenwort before the leaves fully emerge.
The barrenwort thrives in shaded areas.
Many gardeners choose barrenwort for its low maintenance.
You can plant barrenwort around trees, where its creeping rhizomes will create a lush ground cover.
Many gardeners appreciate barrenwort for its attractive foliage and ability to suppress weeds.
Rather than spending your time fighting this problem, choose a plant such as barrenwort to fill the space.

Synonyms

bishop's hat

vsbarrenwort

Specialized

9.9

A low, slow-growing plant with leaves that stay green part of the year and cover the ground

has identical meaning but uses the alternative common name

Surface Forms

barrenwort singular

barrenworts plural

Morphology

barrenwort = barren + wort (semi-transparent) = barren + wort

The compound is formed from clear English elements, but 'wort' is an archaic/rare word meaning 'plant' that many learners may not know, so the meaning is not fully transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Barrenwort joins barren ('not producing') and wort (an old word for 'plant' or 'herb'), so the name once suggested something about fruit or fertility. Today barrenwort is simply the common name for a slow-growing groundcover plant often used in shady gardens.