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Glite Dictionary
heart pea

heart pea

9.9
A climbing plant with woody stems and large balloon-shaped seed pods
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : guisante corazón
  • The garden featured a trellis covered in heart pea vines, their balloon-shaped pods gently swaying in the breeze.

Examples

  • In tropical climates, the heart pea is grown both for its ornamental value and its interesting seed pods.

  • Botanists are studying the unique seed dispersal mechanisms of the heart pea.

  • The heart pea plant is known for its unique seed pods.

  • Many gardeners love the heart peas for their ornamental value.

  • In tropical climates, the heart pea is grown both for its ornamental value and its interesting seed pods.

  • The garden featured a trellis covered in heart pea vines, their balloon-shaped pods gently swaying in the breeze.

  • Botanists are studying the unique seed dispersal mechanisms of the heart pea.

Synonyms

Cardiospermum halicacabum
vsheart pea
  • Specialized
9.9

A fast-growing climbing plant with delicate vines and balloon-shaped seed pods

is the common name used instead of the scientific name
balloon vine
vsheart pea
  • US
8.3

A climbing plant with woody stems and round seed pods like small balloons

refers to the same plant but uses a different common name
Cardiospermum
vsheart pea
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing plant that grows in warm places and has seeds with a white heart-shaped spot

is the specific plant rather than the whole genus
heartseed
vsheart pea
9.9

A climbing plant from the tropics in America and Africa with small seed pods like balloons often grown in gardens

describes the same plant but with larger pods and wider native range

Surface Forms

heart pea singular
heart peas plural

Morphology

heart + pea

The element 'pea' clearly signals that this is a type of pea/legume, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a plant. However, 'heart' does not convey the specific features given (woody perennial climber, balloon-like seed pods), so the precise meaning is not fully predictable from the parts and requires prior exposure.

Etymology

Heart pea gets its name from its balloon-like pods that look like small, puffy hearts and little peas, so the words heart and pea describe how it looks. That's why Heart pea means a climbing plant with heart-shaped, pea-like seed pods.