purple mullein
- noun
- UK
:
mullein púrpura
- Look at the purple mullein!
Examples
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Gardeners often choose purple mullein for borders because of its vibrant blooms.
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In some regions, purple mullein naturalizes easily and returns each year.
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The purple mullein adds a splash of color to the garden with its tall flower spikes.
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The purple mullein blooms beautifully in summer.
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The garden was filled with vibrant flowers, and the purple mullein stood out beautifully in full bloom.
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She planted purple mullein to attract butterflies and enhance the ornamental appeal of her yard.
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In the summer, the purple mullein adds a splash of color to the landscape with its striking pink flowers.
Synonyms
A garden plant with tall stems and purple or pink flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a mullein plant that is purple/pink' is directly and compositionally derived from the adjective 'purple' modifying the noun 'mullein'; a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a mullein with purple flowers. This follows a common adjective+noun pattern found across languages and is therefore immediately predictable rather than idiomatic.
Etymology
Purple mullein is a name that simply describes the plant: tall spikes of purple flowers on a soft, fuzzy mullein with large woolly leaves. That's why the name refers to a garden plant people grow for its bright color and use as an 'ornamental'.
