Definition

Noun: 1. A specific plant species: A cushion-forming perennial herb native to New Zealand, known scientifically as Raoulia eximia (and related species within the genus Raoulia). It is characterized by its dense, mat-forming growth habit and foliage covered in dense, tawny or whitish hairs, giving it a woolly appearance that resembles a sheep from a distance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hiker spotted a patch of vegetable sheep clinging to the rocky alpine slope.
  • Vegetable sheep are a remarkable example of adaptation to harsh, windy environments.
  • The common name "vegetable sheep" perfectly describes the plant's woolly, sheep-like form.

Advanced Usage

• As a botanical term: The term is used specifically in botany and natural history to refer to this unique group of plants. It is often seen in scientific or descriptive writing about New Zealand's flora.
  • The study focused on the microhabitats created by vegetable sheep in the alpine zone.

Variants and Related Words

• Raoulia (n): The genus name for this and related plants.
• Cushion plant (n): A general term for plants with a dense, low-growing form, a category which includes vegetable sheep.

Synonyms

• Sheep plant (n): A less common alternative name.
• (Scientific name) Raoulia eximia (n): The precise botanical name for one species.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "vegetable sheep" is a compound noun that functions as a single, fixed name for this specific plant. It is not a general term for any vegetable or animal, but a unique common name for a particular organism. Its meaning is highly specific within the context of botany and the flora of New Zealand.

Noun

1. cushion-forming New Zealand herb having leaves densely covered with tawny hairs
2. perennial prostrate mat-forming herb with hoary woolly foliage