mariposa

Thân thiện

A mariposa lily blooms in a rocky desert landscape.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of flowering plant: A mariposa is any of several bulbous perennial plants belonging to the genus Calochortus. They are characterized by their showy, tulip-shaped flowers which typically have three sepals and three petals. These plants are native to regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The hillside was covered in brilliant yellow mariposas after the spring rains.
  • Botanists study the various species of mariposa to understand their adaptation to arid climates.
  • She painted a detailed picture of a white mariposa with a purple center.

Advanced Usage

• "Mariposa lily": This is a common alternative name for the plant, emphasizing its lily-like appearance.
  • The mariposa lily is a protected species in some parts of California.

Variants and Related Words

• Mariposa lily (n): Another name for the mariposa plant.
• Calochortus (n): The scientific genus name for mariposas and related plants like globe lilies and fairy lanterns.

Synonyms

• Butterfly tulip: A descriptive synonym referencing the flower's shape.
• Globe lily: A common name for a closely related plant within the same genus ().

Notes on Meaning

• The word "mariposa" is Spanish for "butterfly." The flower is likely named for the beautiful, wing-like appearance of its petals or because butterflies are attracted to it. It is important to distinguish this botanical term from the Spanish word for the insect.
• This term refers specifically to a group of plants and is not a general term for any tulip-shaped flower.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Calochortus having tulip-shaped flowers with 3 sepals and 3 petals; southwestern United States and Mexico

Từ đồng nghĩa

• mariposa tulip
• mariposa lily