willow aster
- noun
- US
- The willow aster is a hardy perennial found in prairies and along roadsides.
Examples
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She planted willow aster to attract butterflies to her garden.
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In late summer, the willow aster produces delicate purple blooms.
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The willow aster blooms beautifully in the fall.
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I planted some willow asters in my garden this spring.
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In late summer, the willow aster produces delicate purple blooms.
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She planted willow aster to attract butterflies to her garden.
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The willow aster is a hardy perennial found in prairies and along roadsides.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The name describes an aster that has willow-like characteristics, so its meaning ('an aster with narrow, willow-like leaves') follows directly from combining 'willow' and 'aster'. This kind of descriptive compound noun is compositionally transparent and predictable across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Willow aster is a compound name that helps you picture the plant: its narrow leaves look like a willow and its small purple flowers are typical aster blooms. So the name simply means an 'aster' with 'willow'-like leaves.