lathyrus hirsutus

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Word: Lathyrus hirsutus

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Lathyrus hirsutus is a type of plant that has weak stems and is commonly found in the Mediterranean region. It is a winter annual, meaning it grows during the winter and completes its life cycle before summer. This plant has become well-established in the southern United States and is often grown to cover soil and provide pasture for animals.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use the term "Lathyrus hirsutus" when talking about types of plants, especially in gardening, agriculture, or botany contexts.
• It is often used in discussions about crops that help prevent soil erosion or provide food for livestock.

Example Sentence:

"The farmer decided to plant Lathyrus hirsutus in his fields because it helps improve soil quality and provides grazing for his sheep."

Advanced Usage:

In agricultural science, Lathyrus hirsutus might be discussed in relation to its benefits as a cover crop, which helps in weed control and improves soil health.

Word Variants:

• The common name for Lathyrus hirsutus is "hairy vetch," which may be used in more casual discussions.
• Other species in the Lathyrus genus include Lathyrus latifolius (perennial pea) and Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea).

Different Meanings:

In general English, "lathyrus" refers to a genus of plants in the legume family, and "hirsutus" means hairy or covered with hair. However, these words are not commonly used outside of botanical discussions.

Synonyms:

• Hairy vetch (common name)
• Cover crop (in agricultural terms)

Related Terms:

• Legume: A type of plant that produces seeds in pods, including beans and peas.
• Cover Crop: A plant grown primarily to manage soil erosion, fertility, and pests.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to Lathyrus hirsutus, you might encounter phrases related to gardening and agriculture, such as "turn over a new leaf," which means to make a fresh start or change for the better.

Summary:

Lathyrus hirsutus is a beneficial plant used in agriculture for improving soil quality and providing pasture for animals.

Academic

Noun

1. a weak-stemmed winter annual native to Mediterranean region for long established in southern United States; cultivated as a cover and pasture crop

Synonyms

• singletary pea
• Caley pea
• rough pea
• wild winterpea
• Lathyrus hirsutus