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Glite Dictionary
genus Lobelia

genus Lobelia

9.1
A group of flowering plants with bright, tube-shaped flowers often grown in gardens
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs loʊˈbiːliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Lobelia
  • The genus Lobelia includes many species widely cultivated for their colorful garden flowers.

Examples

  • Some members of the genus Lobelia are known for their medicinal properties, though others can be toxic.

  • Botanists debate whether the genus Lobelia should be placed in the family Campanulaceae or in a separate family, Lobeliaceae.

  • The genus Lobelia includes many vibrant species.

  • Many gardeners love the flowers of the genus Lobelia.

  • The genus Lobelia includes many species widely cultivated for their colorful garden flowers.

  • Some members of the genus Lobelia are known for their medicinal properties, though others can be toxic.

  • Botanists debate whether the genus Lobelia should be placed in the family Campanulaceae or in a separate family, Lobeliaceae.

Surface Forms

genus Lobelia singular
genera Lobelia plural

Morphology

genus + lobelia

The phrase denotes the taxonomic category 'genus' applied to the name 'Lobelia', so its meaning ('the genus called Lobelia, i.e. a group of related flowering plants') is directly recoverable from the constituents. This is a straightforward, compositional biological label following cross-linguistically common naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows 'genus' and 'Lobelia' will understand it.

Etymology

Genus Lobelia is named for a 16th-century botanist called 'Lobelius'. Botanists used his name for a group of bright, tube-shaped flowers, so thinking of them as 'Lobel's plants' helps you remember the name means a group of flowering plants.