joint fir
- noun
- Specialized
:
ephedra
- Unlike most shrubs, the joint fir has stems that perform photosynthesis instead of leaves.
Examples
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With its reddish fleshy seeds, the joint fir is an important plant in its ecosystem.
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The joint fir thrives in arid environments where few other plants can survive.
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Researchers studied the medicinal properties of joint fir seeds.
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The joint fir thrives in arid conditions.
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Many joint firs can be found in the desert.
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The joint fir is well adapted to survive in the harsh desert climate.
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In the dry region, the joint fir stands out with its unique, jointed stems.
Synonyms
4
9.9
A desert shrub with thin jointed stems and tiny leaves people use in some herbal medicines
Surface Forms
Morphology
joint + fir
The element 'joint' transparently suggests jointed stems and 'fir' signals a plant/tree, so a B1 learner who knows both words could infer this refers to some kind of plant with jointed features. However, the precise sense — a desert shrub of the genus Ephedra with reduced scalelike leaves and fleshy seeds (and not a true fir) — cannot be fully derived and 'fir' may mislead, so the expression is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Joint fir may come from the plant's look: its stems are made of short parts like joints, and the whole bush can look a little like a small fir, so people called it joint fir. That's why the name refers to a desert shrub with jointed stems.