Definition

Noun: 1. A cultivated flowering plant: "old maid flower" is a common name for any of several garden plants belonging to the genus Zinnia. These plants are specifically grown for their showy, brightly colored flower heads, which come in a wide variety of hues.

Usage

• The term "old maid flower" is used to refer to the ornamental plant itself, typically in a gardening or informal context. It describes the plant as a whole, which is cultivated for its decorative blooms.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She planted a row of vibrant old maid flowers along the fence.
  • The old maid flower is a popular choice for summer gardens because it blooms continuously in hot weather.

Advanced Usage

• The name "old maid flower" is an example of a common name for a plant, which can vary by region. Its precise botanical identification is the genus .

Variants and Related Words

• Zinnia (n): The formal botanical genus name for the old maid flower. This is the more precise and scientific term.
  • Zinnias are native to the scrub and dry grasslands of North America.
• Youth-and-old-age (n): Another less common common name for some species, contrasting with "old maid flower."

Synonyms

• Zinnia: The direct synonym and scientific name.

Notes on Meaning

• The common name "old maid flower" refers specifically to the cultivated garden plants of the genus. It does not refer to the flower of an unmarried woman or to a person. The "flower head" is a composite structure typical of plants in the aster family.

Noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Zinnia cultivated for their variously and brightly colored flower heads