myriophyllum

Thân thiện

A researcher examines a myriophyllum specimen in a clear aquarium.

Definition

Noun 1. A genus of aquatic plants: Myriophyllum is the scientific name for a genus of flowering plants commonly known as water milfoils. These are primarily aquatic herbs, often growing submerged in freshwater habitats.

Usage Notes

• The word is a proper noun, specifically a genus name in botanical taxonomy. It is always capitalized.
• It is used in scientific, ecological, and horticultural contexts to refer to plants within this specific group.
• In common language, plants from this genus are typically called "milfoil" or "water milfoil."

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The lake's ecosystem was studied, with a focus on the invasive Myriophyllum species.
  • The biologist identified the dense vegetation as Myriophyllum spicatum.
• General/Descriptive Context:
  • The aquarium features several stems of Myriophyllum for oxygenation and shelter for fish.

Advanced Usage

• The genus is described as "chiefly monoecious," meaning a single plant typically has both male and female reproductive structures.
• Species within this genus are often characterized by their feathery, whorled leaves that are finely divided, resembling a feather or a thousand leaves (which is the meaning of the Greek roots and ).

Variants and Related Words

• Milfoil / Water Milfoil (n.): The common name for plants of the genus .
  • Eurasian water milfoil is a problematic invasive species in many waterways.
• Myriophyllaceous (adj.): Relating to or belonging to the genus or its family.

Synonyms

• Water milfoil
• Milfoil (in an aquatic context)

Different Meanings

• This word has a single, specific meaning as a botanical genus name. It does not have other general English definitions.

Học thuật

Noun

1. chiefly monoecious and usually aquatic herbs (as the milfoils)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Myriophyllum
• genus Myriophyllum