rocket larkspur
- noun
- Specialized
:
delphinio
- The garden was filled with the vibrant blue blossoms of the rocket larkspur.
Examples
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She planted rocket larkspur along the fence to add a splash of color in spring.
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The rocket larkspur blooms from late spring to early summer.
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Nurseries often sell rocket larkspur seeds in a variety of shades.
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Wow! Look at that stunning rocket larkspur!
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She planted rocket larkspur along the fence to add a splash of color in spring.
-
The garden was filled with the vibrant blue blossoms of the rocket larkspur.
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The rocket larkspur blooms from late spring to early summer.
Synonyms
2
9.3
A tall garden plant with spikes of bright blue or purple flowers that can be poisonous
1
8.4
A tall garden plant grown for its bright flowers on long spikes
A garden plant that has tall spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers
A tall garden plant that grows long stems with blue, purple, or pink flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents are plant nouns, so a B1 learner who knows 'rocket' and 'larkspur' would likely infer that 'rocket larkspur' names a kind or variety of larkspur (i.e., a plant). However, the exact botanical details and why 'rocket' modifies 'larkspur' are not predictable from the parts alone, and the polysemy of 'rocket' (salad green vs. missile) could cause confusion, so the meaning is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The plant rocket larkspur gets its name from its tall, straight flower spikes that look like a rocket, and from the long backward point on each flower called a spur, which people thought looked like a lark's toe, so 'larkspur' became the name. So the name helps you remember that it is a tall garden flower with bright, spurred blooms.