Definition

Noun: 1. A showy flowering plant: "glory pea" refers to any of various shrubs or vines belonging to the genus Clianthus, characterized by compound leaves and clusters of bright, pea-like red flowers that hang down.

Usage Notes

• "Glory pea" is a common name for specific ornamental plants in the legume family (Fabaceae). It is primarily used in horticultural and botanical contexts.
• The term is a compound noun. The key descriptive element is "pea," which indicates the flower's shape resembles that of a pea blossom, while "glory" refers to its striking, showy appearance.

Examples

• The glory pea in the conservatory is in full bloom, its brilliant red flowers cascading over the trellis.
• Two well-known species are , often called the parrot's beak, and , the Sturt's desert pea, both types of glory pea.
• For a dramatic vertical display, gardeners sometimes train a glory pea vine against a sunny wall.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to represent exceptional beauty or vibrant color in a garden setting.
  • The garden's glory pea was the undisputed centerpiece of the spring show.

Variants and Related Words

• Parrot's beak: A common name for , a specific type of glory pea.
• Sturt's desert pea: A common name for (also classified as ), another specific and famous type of glory pea native to Australia.
• Clianthus (n.): The botanical genus name for the glory pea.

Synonyms

• Parrot's bill (for )
• Lobster claw (a descriptive synonym referencing the flower shape)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use the specific term "glory pea." It remains a technical/common name for a plant.

Noun

1. any of various shrubs or vines of the genus Clianthus having compound leaves and pea-like red flowers in drooping racemes