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Glite Dictionary
feather ball

feather ball

9.9
A small round cactus with white feathery spines from northern Mexico
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : bola de plumas
  • We found several feather balls thriving in the rocky soil of northern Mexico.

Examples

  • The feather ball is prized by collectors for its delicate appearance and unusual spines.

  • Unlike many desert plants, the feather ball is surprisingly easy to grow in a home garden.

  • The feather ball is a unique cactus.

  • Look at that feather ball!

  • The feather ball cactus, with its soft spines, adds a unique touch to any succulent collection.

  • In a natural habitat, the feather ball thrives, showcasing its beauty among the arid landscape.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the feather ball for its distinctive look and low maintenance requirements.

Synonyms

Mammillaria plumosa
vsfeather ball
  • Specialized
9.9

A small cactus with soft white feathery spines from northeastern Mexico

is the common everyday name used outside scientific contexts

Surface Forms

feather ball singular
feather balls plural

Morphology

feather + ball

The compound 'feather ball' transparently describes a round object with feather-like features, so a B1 learner who knows 'feather' and 'ball' can infer a spherical item with feathery appearance. However, identifying that this refers specifically to a cactus species requires specialized botanical knowledge and is not fully predictable from the constituents, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Feather ball comes from the plant's look: a small, round cactus from northern Mexico covered in white, soft-looking spines that resemble feathers and form a tight ball. So, the name uses those two images and explains why people call this cactus a 'feather ball' today.