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papilionoid

papilionoid

1 9.9
A plant with butterfly-shaped flowers like peas or beans
  • noun
  • /ˌpæpɪˈliːəˌnɔɪd/
  • Specialized
: papilionoide
  • Many papilionoids are found in tropical regions.

Examples

  • The papilionoid flowers bloom in vibrant colors.

  • The botanist identified the plant as a papilionoid because of its butterfly-shaped flowers.

  • Many crops, such as beans and peas, are classified as papilionoids in botany.

  • A rare papilionoid was discovered growing wild in the mountain valley.

  • The garden was filled with vibrant papilionoids, showcasing beautiful butterfly-shaped flowers like those of peas.

  • In botany classes, students learn to identify various papilionoids by their distinctive pea-like blossoms.

  • Many papilionoids thrive in tropical climates, enhancing the biodiversity of the region with their unique floral structures.

Synonyms

Papilionaceae
vspapilionoid
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of plants with butterfly-shaped flowers, like peas and beans

is the subfamily within that family, a narrower taxonomic group
Papilionacea
vspapilionoid
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of plants like peas and beans that have butterfly-shaped flowers

is the subfamily position used in modern classifications

Surface Forms

papilionoid singular
papilionoids plural

Morphology

papilionoid = papilion + oid

Although visibly composed of 'papilion-' + '-oid', the combining form is not a familiar English base and the noun sense is specialized botanical terminology, so the meaning is not derivable for typical learners.

Etymology

Papilionoid comes from Latin papilio ('butterfly') and -oid ('like'), and as a noun it names a plant with pea-like, butterfly-shaped flowers. That is why common crops such as beans and peas are often called papilionoids.