cactus family
- noun
- /ˈkæktəs ˈfæmɪli/
:
familia de los cactus
- Researchers study how plants in the cactus family store water to survive harsh climates.
Examples
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The saguaro, an iconic member of the cactus family, can grow up to 12 meters tall.
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The cactus family includes many unique species.
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Many species within the cactus family are able to survive long periods without rainfall.
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Did you know that the cactus family thrives in deserts?
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The cactus family is known for its ability to thrive in desert climates with minimal water.
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Plants from the cactus family often have unique shapes and vibrant flowers.
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Some members of the cactus family can grow tall and provide habitats for various desert animals.
Synonyms
A family of flowering plants with thick water-filled stems and sharp spines that grow in dry places
A group of plants like a cactus that have thick stems for holding water and often sharp spines
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase 'cactus family' is directly compositional: combining 'cactus' (a spiny succulent plant) with 'family' (a scientific grouping) yields a taxonomic grouping of cacti. This noun-noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Cactus family: The noun cactus family comes from the idea of a 'family' or 'group' of related plants. Picture many different cactus types with thick stems that store water and belong to the same family, so cactus family means a group of related cactus plants that live in dry places.
