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Glite Dictionary
dragon arum

dragon arum

9.9
A plant with large dark purple flowers that makes a strong unpleasant smell
  • noun
  • /ˈdræɡən ˈɑːrəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arum dragón
  • Gardeners are often surprised by the strong smell produced by the dragon arum when it blooms.

Examples

  • The striking appearance of the dragon arum makes it a popular plant for botanical gardens.

  • The leaves of the dragon arum are large and sharply divided, adding to its dramatic look.

  • The dragon arum blooms in late spring.

  • Have you ever seen a dragon arum flower?

  • Gardeners are often surprised by the strong smell produced by the dragon arum when it blooms.

  • The leaves of the dragon arum are large and sharply divided, adding to its dramatic look.

  • The striking appearance of the dragon arum makes it a popular plant for botanical gardens.

Synonyms

Dracunculus vulgaris
vsdragon arum
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant with a large dark purple flower that smells very bad, called dragon arum

has the same meaning but is the common name rather than the scientific name
Dracunculus
vsdragon arum
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that grows from a thick root and has a large unusual flower

refers to one specific species rather than the whole genus

Surface Forms

dragon arum singular
dragon arums plural

Morphology

dragon + arum

The name is a straightforward compositional compound: 'dragon' describes a characteristic applied to the plant type 'arum', so a learner who knows 'dragon' and 'arum' can infer it denotes a kind of arum with dragon-like features. This is a literal, descriptive botanical name rather than an idiomatic phrase, making its meaning derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Dragon arum is called this because its large dark flower and tall spike look like a small dragon, and the word arum names the kind of plant; it also gives off a strong, bad smell that draws flies. So, the name helps explain the plant's strange, dramatic look and smell.