rock harlequin
- noun
- Specialized
:
harlequín de roca
- The delicate yellow-tipped pink flowers make the rock harlequin a unique addition to wildflower gardens.
Examples
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We spotted a rock harlequin growing along the rocky outcrop during our hike.
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Botanists often debate whether the rock harlequin belongs in the genus Corydalis or Fumaria.
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The rock harlequin is a unique plant found in the northeastern United States.
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Many gardeners admire the beauty of the rock harlequin for its vibrant flowers.
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The delicate yellow-tipped pink flowers make the rock harlequin a unique addition to wildflower gardens.
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Many gardeners admire the beauty of the rock harlequin for its vibrant flowers.
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We spotted a rock harlequin growing along the rocky outcrop during our hike.
Synonyms
A small wild plant with pink flowers that have yellow tips and grows in northeastern North America
A small wild plant with loose groups of pink flowers tipped with yellow
A small plant from northeastern North America with clusters of pink flowers tipped yellow
Surface Forms
Morphology
rock + harlequin
The sense 'a specific glaucous herb' is a taxonomic/botanical name that cannot be derived from the literal meanings of 'rock' (stone) and 'harlequin' (a comic character or a checkered pattern). This specialized plant name is arbitrary and requires dictionary or prior exposure rather than composition from the constituents, so a B1 learner knowing both words would not predict the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Rock harlequin may come from where the plant grows and how it looks: it often grows on rocky ground (rock) and has bright, spotted pink and yellow flowers that remind people of a harlequin's colourful costume (harlequin), so the name helps you picture a small, colourful plant on rocks.
