royal fern
- noun
- /ˈrɔɪəl fɜrn/
- Specialized
:
helecho real
- The royal fern is often found in damp woodlands and can grow up to two meters tall.
- royal fern and cinnamon
Examples
-
Ferns range from the delicate marsh fern to the mid-sized netted chain fern and the huge cinnamon and royal ferns.
Academic text (1998) -
In gardens, the royal fern adds a lush, green touch with its large, feathery fronds.
-
The royal fern, known for its tufted appearance, thrives best in shaded, moist environments.
Synonyms
A large fern with tall feathery leaves that grows in wet places
A large fern with feather-like leaves that grows in moist shady places
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a simple adjective + noun combination: 'fern' denotes the plant and 'royal' provides a descriptive quality (suggesting large, grand, or notable appearance). There is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift from the constituent meanings, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a type or special-looking fern.
Etymology
Royal fern The name royal fern comes from the plant's large, upright leaves that form a grand, tufted shape. People used royal to say it looked 'fit for a king', and fern simply names the plant, so the name points to an impressive, tall fern.
