fairy bell

Friendly

Explanation of "Fairy Bell"

Definition: The term "fairy bell" refers to a type of plant, specifically a tall leafy European biennial or perennial. It is known for its beautiful clusters of large tubular flowers that are pink or purple in color. The leaves of the fairy bell plant can produce a substance called digitalis, which is used as a medicine but is also poisonous to animals like livestock.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: You can use "fairy bell" when talking about plants, gardening, or discussing flowers. It's often used in a botanical or horticultural context.

Example Sentence

• "In the garden, the fairy bell flowers bloomed beautifully, attracting many bees and butterflies."

Advanced Usage

The term "fairy bell" might not be commonly used in everyday conversation, but it can be found in discussions about botany, herbal medicine, or gardening. When speaking about the medical properties of plants, you might say: - "The leaves of the fairy bell have been utilized in traditional medicine, though caution is needed due to their toxicity."

Word Variants

• Digitalis: The active compound derived from the leaves of the fairy bell, often used in heart medicine.
• Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years, as opposed to a biennial, which completes its life cycle in two years.

Different Meanings

While "fairy bell" mainly refers to the plant, the term can also evoke images of fairy tales or magical stories, as "fairy" suggests something whimsical or enchanting. However, in a botanical context, it strictly refers to the flower.

Synonyms

• Foxglove: Another common name for the plant, which is more widely recognized.
• Digitalis purpurea: The scientific name for the plant.

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "fairy bell," but you might come across phrases like "bloom where you are planted," which means to thrive in your current situation, often used in gardening contexts.

Summary

"Fairy bell" is a noun that describes a beautiful plant known for its pink-purple flowers and medicinal properties. It is important to remember that while it has health benefits, its leaves can also be poisonous.

Academic

Noun

1. tall leafy European biennial or perennial having spectacular clusters of large tubular pink-purple flowers; leaves yield drug digitalis and are poisonous to livestock

Synonyms

• common foxglove
• fingerflower
• finger-flower
• fingerroot
• finger-root
• Digitalis purpurea