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Glite Dictionary
compass flower

compass flower

9.9
A plant whose leaves point north and south
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌmpəs ˈflaʊər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flor brújula
  • Many hikers recognize the compass flower by the way its leaves point north and south.

Examples

  • The compass flower is often used in prairie restoration projects due to its unique leaf orientation.

  • Botanists studied the compass flower to learn more about its alignment with the cardinal directions.

  • The compass flower blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Have you seen a compass flower before?

  • Many hikers recognize the compass flower by the way its leaves point north and south.

  • The compass flower is often used in prairie restoration projects due to its unique leaf orientation.

  • Botanists studied the compass flower to learn more about its alignment with the cardinal directions.

Synonyms

compass plant
vscompass flower
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American prairie plant with long leaves that point north and south and bright red flowers

refers to several plants whose leaves show the cardinal points

Surface Forms

compass flower singular
compass flowers plural

Morphology

compass + flower

The compound is compositionally transparent: 'compass' (a device indicating direction) + 'flower' suggests a flower related to indicating direction. A B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer it denotes a plant whose parts indicate compass points, even if the term is somewhat specialized in botany.

Etymology

Compass flower comes from a simple picture: some prairie plants have leaves that line up so they point 'north' and 'south' like a small compass. So people called the plant a compass flower because the leaf direction could help show where 'north' and 'south' are.