desert plume
Definition
Noun: 1. A perennial plant native to the southwestern United States: A flowering plant characterized by its leathery, blue-green, pinnatifid leaves and distinctive, thick, plume-like spikes of yellow flowers. It is a member of the caper family (Cleomaceae) and is also known by the scientific name Stanleya pinnata.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The bright yellow spikes of the desert plume are a common sight in the arid landscapes of Nevada and Utah.
- Botanists study the desert plume for its remarkable tolerance to selenium in the soil.
- A single desert plume can add a striking vertical element to a xeriscape garden.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Classification: The desert plume is sometimes referred to by its former genus, , as in . Its current accepted genus is .
- Ecological Role: This plant is a known selenium accumulator, meaning it takes up the element selenium from the soil. This can be toxic to livestock but is an important adaptation for the plant's survival in its native habitat.
Variants and Related Words
- Prince's Plume: A common alternative name for the desert plume.
- Stanleya pinnata: The botanical (Latin) name for the desert plume.
- Selenium Indicator: A descriptive term related to its ecological function, as its presence can indicate selenium-rich soils.
Synonyms
- Prince's Plume
- Stanleya
Related Phrases
- Desert wildflower: A general category to which the desert plume belongs.
- Selenium accumulator: A phrase describing a key physiological trait of the plant.
Noun
-
perennial of southwestern United States having leathery blue-green pinnatifid leaves and thick plumelike spikes of yellow flowers; sometimes placed in genus Cleome
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
