How Do You Spell SHEPHERD'S-NEEDLE?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɛpədznˈiːdə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Shepherd's-needle" can be confusing due to its unusual combination of letters. Its pronunciation is typically rendered as /ˈʃɛpərdz ˈnidl/, with stress on the first syllable of each word. The "Shepherd's" part of the word is straightforward, but "needle" can be a bit tricky, as the "d" and "l" sounds are right next to each other. Despite this, the word is fairly easy to sound out using the IPA transcription, making it more approachable for those unfamiliar with its spelling.

SHEPHERD'S-NEEDLE Meaning and Definition

  1. Shepherd's-needle, also known by its scientific name Scandix pecten-veneris, is a flowering plant species that belongs to the family Apiaceae. This biennial or perennial herb is characterized by its slender, erect stems which can reach heights of up to one meter. The leaves are deeply dissected, feather-like, and arranged in a basal rosette. The foliage is usually grayish-green in color, giving it a unique appearance.

    Shepherd's-needle produces small, delicate, and white flowers that are arranged in umbels at the end of the stems. These flowers have five petals and are highly attractive to various insect pollinators. The flowering period usually occurs during late spring and early summer.

    This plant tends to thrive in dry or semi-dry habitats, often found in sandy or gravelly soils. It is commonly seen in grasslands, meadows, open woodlands, and along roadsides. Shepherd's-needle is native to Europe and regions of North Africa, but it has also naturalized in other parts of the world due to its ornamental qualities.

    In some traditional folklore, Shepherd's-needle was believed to have medicinal properties and was used to treat certain ailments. However, its usage in modern herbal medicine is limited. Nevertheless, this plant is still valued for its aesthetic appeal and is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental species in gardens and flower beds.

    Overall, Shepherd's-needle is a unique flowering plant species known for its slender, erect stems, deeply dissected leaves, and delicate white flowers.

Common Misspellings for SHEPHERD'S-NEEDLE

  • ahepherd's-needle
  • zhepherd's-needle
  • xhepherd's-needle
  • dhepherd's-needle
  • ehepherd's-needle
  • whepherd's-needle
  • sgepherd's-needle
  • sbepherd's-needle
  • snepherd's-needle
  • sjepherd's-needle
  • suepherd's-needle
  • syepherd's-needle
  • shwpherd's-needle
  • shspherd's-needle
  • shdpherd's-needle
  • shrpherd's-needle
  • sh4pherd's-needle
  • sh3pherd's-needle
  • sheoherd's-needle
  • shelherd's-needle

Etymology of SHEPHERD'S-NEEDLE

The word "Shepherd's-needle" has an interesting etymology.

The term "needle" in this context is derived from the Old English word "nǣdl", which originally referred to a thin, pointed tool used for sewing or embroidery. Over time, the term was extended to describe any slender, elongated object with a pointed end, including the narrow leaves of certain plants.

The addition of "Shepherd's" to "needle" is a reference to the plant's appearance or its association with shepherds. The plant known as "Shepherd's-needle" belongs to the Genus and species "Scandix pecten-veneris". The name "Scandix" derives from the Greek word "skandikos", indicating the plant's supposed origin in Scythia, an ancient region in Eurasia.

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