matchweed

9.9

A small wild plant with tiny yellow flower heads like matches

noun
/ˈmæʧˌwid/

Specialized

: hierba cerilla

The fields were dotted with matchweed, their tiny yellow heads brightening the landscape.

Examples

Ranchers often consider matchweed to be a troublesome weed in grazing areas.
After the rain, patches of matchweed quickly sprang up along the roadside.
The matchweed bloomed beautifully in the garden.
Many matchweeds grow wild in the desert.
After the rain, patches of matchweed quickly sprang up along the roadside.
The fields were dotted with matchweed, their tiny yellow heads brightening the landscape.
Ranchers often consider matchweed to be a troublesome weed in grazing areas.

Synonyms

matchbush

vsmatchweed

Specialized

9.9

A small bush with many tiny yellow flower heads

is a general name for Gutierrezia species not limited to one region

Surface Forms

matchweed singular

matchweeds plural

Morphology

matchweed = match + weed (transparent) = match + weed

The compound 'match' + 'weed' describes a plant ('weed') whose small yellow flower heads resemble matches, a meaning inferable from the parts.

Etymology

The word matchweed is made of match and weed, where match suggests a 'small stick you use to make fire' because the plant's tiny yellow flower heads look like little matchsticks. That's why matchweed refers to a wild plant with small yellow heads that resemble matches.