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Glite Dictionary
plume thistle

plume thistle

9.6
A prickly plant with bright purple or yellow flower heads that attract insects
  • noun
translation icon : cardo plumoso
  • The plume thistle is popular in wildflower gardens for its striking purple blooms.

Examples

  • While hiking, we spotted a plume thistle growing by the path, its flowers bright against the green grass.

  • Many insects are attracted to the plume thistle due to its abundant nectar.

  • The plume thistle blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • I saw a plume thistle in the garden yesterday.

  • The plume thistle adds vibrant colors to the landscape with its stunning purple flower heads.

  • Gardening enthusiasts often choose the plume thistle for its ornamental value in flower beds.

  • We admired the delicate beauty of the plume thistle as it swayed gently in the breeze.

Synonyms

plumed thistle
vsplume thistle
9.1

A prickly plant with large purple or yellow flower heads that attract bees

is identical in meaning but spelled with a different ending

Surface Forms

plume thistle singular
plume thistles plural

Morphology

plume + thistle

The phrase names a type of thistle characterized by plume-like, showy flower heads, so its meaning is directly inferable from 'plume' (feather-like ornament) + 'thistle' (the plant). This straightforward noun–noun composition follows common cross-linguistic patterns and is not idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.

Etymology

Plume thistle: The name plume thistle comes from how the plant looks: plume means a soft, feather-like tuft and thistle is a spiky wild plant. That image helps you remember that this plant has bright, feather-like 'flower heads' that attract insects.