spiny talinum
- noun
- US
:
talinum espinoso
- After the leaves fall off, the spines of spiny talinum remain, giving the plant its characteristic appearance.
Examples
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In the southwestern United States, the spiny talinum forms a cushion of colorful flowers that attract pollinators.
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During the summer months, the spiny talinum displays striking rose to crimson-magenta flowers against the dry soil.
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Botanists were excited to document a large patch of spiny talinum during their field survey.
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The spiny talinum is often found in arid regions where its persistent spines deter herbivores.
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The spiny talinum blooms beautifully in the desert.
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Many gardeners love the spiny talinum for its vibrant colors.
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The unique structure of the spiny talinum gives it an interesting profile in the desert landscape.
Synonyms
A low plant that grows in a flat mat with bright pink flowers and spiny leaf ribs
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'spiny' describes a Talinum that bears sharp points, so the phrase denotes a Talinum plant with spines. Adjective–noun compounds of this type are highly compositional and common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Spiny talinum gets its name from how it looks: the word spiny shows that the middle parts of the leaves stay as sharp points after the leaves fall, and the plant forms a low, cushion-like mat with bright rose to magenta flowers. That's why the name points to its spiny shape and to how those spines help keep animals away.
