parsley-leaved thorn
- noun
- US
:
espino de hojas de perejil
- The parsley-leaved thorn thrives in the warm and humid climate of the southern United States.
Examples
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Botanists often study the unique leaf shapes of the parsley-leaved thorn.
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Birds nest among the branches of the parsley-leaved thorn in early spring.
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The parsley-leaved thorn is often found in southern gardens.
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Have you seen a parsley-leaved thorn before?
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The parsley-leaved thorn is known for its distinctive leaves that resemble parsley.
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Many wildlife species find shelter in the dense foliage of the parsley-leaved thorn.
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The parsley-leaved thorn produces beautiful flowers in the springtime, attracting pollinators.
Synonyms
7
5.4
A small tree or bush with white spring flowers and red berries
A small tree with leaves cut like parsley that makes red berries and grows in the southern United States
A small hawthorn tree from the southern United States with deeply lobed leaves and small white flowers
A small hawthorn tree from the southern United States with deeply lobed leaves
Surface Forms
Morphology
parsley-leaved + thorn
The noun is compositionally built from 'parsley' + 'leaved' (having leaves like parsley) and 'thorn' (a spiny plant), so the overall meaning — a thorny plant with parsley-like leaves — is directly inferable from the parts. This adjectival compound pattern is common in botanical names and follows regular English composition, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should understand it.
Etymology
Parsley-leaved thorn gets its name from the plant's look: its leaves are shaped like parsley and the shrub is covered in sharp thorns. So the name helps you remember it is a thorny shrub with parsley-like leaves.