star grass
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of perennial Australian grass: A grass characterized by having many long spikes that radiate outwards, resembling the blades of a windmill.
- A trailing grass species: A low-growing grass originally from Europe but now found in warm regions worldwide, commonly used for lawns and pasture.
- A plant of the genus Hypoxis: Any of various plants with long, narrow leaves resembling grass and bright yellow, star-shaped flowers, native to several continents including Africa and North America.
- A plant of the genus Aletris: Any of several perennial plants with grass-like leaves and roots traditionally used as a bitter tonic, reputed to treat digestive ailments like colic.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The field was covered in star grass, its windmill-like seed heads catching the light.
- For a durable lawn in this climate, many landscapers recommend planting star grass.
- We identified the small yellow flower growing near the path as a type of star grass (Hypoxis).
- Some herbalists have historically used the bitter star grass (Aletris) in remedies.
Advanced Usage
- As a common name: The term "star grass" is a common name applied to several distinct plant genera due to visual characteristics (star-shaped flowers or seed heads) or grass-like leaves. The specific plant must often be determined by context or scientific name.
- While both are called star grass, plants in the genus Aletris are not closely related to those in Hypoxis.
Variants and Related Words
- Windmill grass: A common name that can refer to the Australian due to the shape of its seed head.
- Crow poison: A common name sometimes used for certain species, also referred to as star grass.
- Hypoxis: The botanical genus for one group of plants commonly called star grass.
- Aletris: The botanical genus for another group of plants commonly called star grass or colic root.
Synonyms
- Botanical names: For precise identification, the scientific genus names (, , or others like for the trailing grass) are used as specific synonyms.
- Common descriptors: Grass-like perennial, medicinal herb (for ), lawn grass (for the trailing species).
Related Phrases
- "Star grass lawn": A lawn specifically planted with the trailing, turf-forming type of star grass.
- The star grass lawn remained green throughout the dry season.
- "Yellow star grass": A frequent descriptor for the species due to its flower color.
- A patch of yellow star grass bloomed at the edge of the woods.
Noun
- perennial Australian grass having numerous long spikes arranged like the vanes of a windmill
- trailing grass native to Europe now cosmopolitan in warm regions; used for lawns and pastures especially in southern United States and India
- any plant of the genus Hypoxis having long grasslike leaves and yellow star-shaped flowers: Africa; Australia; southern Asia; North America
- any of several perennials of the genus Aletris having grasslike leaves and bitter roots reputed to cure colic