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Glite Dictionary
water fennel

water fennel

9.9
A poisonous plant with many thin roots that grows near water
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : hinojo de agua
  • Cattle have occasionally been poisoned after eating water fennel growing near rivers.

Examples

  • The pond was lined with water fennel and other marsh plants.

  • Botanists warn that water fennel should not be confused with edible fennel species.

  • The water fennel grows near the riverbank.

  • Many animals avoid water fennel due to its toxicity.

  • Cattle have occasionally been poisoned after eating water fennel growing near rivers.

  • Many animals avoid water fennel due to its toxicity.

  • Botanists warn that water fennel should not be confused with edible fennel species.

Synonyms

Oenanthe aquatica
vswater fennel
  • Specialized
9.9

A poisonous plant in Europe that grows in wet places like marshes, called water dropwort

has the same meaning but is the scientific name rather than the common name

Surface Forms

water fennel singular
water fennels plural

Morphology

water + fennel

The compound is directly compositional: 'water' modifies 'fennel', so a B1 learner who knows both words will naturally interpret it as a type of fennel associated with water (growing near or in water). Specific botanical facts (e.g. that this species is poisonous or its Latin name) are not derivable, but the basic referent is transparently built from the constituents.

Etymology

Water fennel comes from how the plant looks and where it grows: it has leaves like fennel and lives in water, so people called it that. Because the plant is poisonous, the name warns that it is not 'safe to eat' like common fennel.