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Definition of melasphaerula
melasphaerula
/ˌmɛləˈsfɪərjʊlə/
mel · a · sphae · ru · la
Plural:melasphaerulae
melasphaerula Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A genus of cormous flowering plants in the iris family (Iridaceae), containing a single accepted species native to the winter-rainfall regions of the Cape Provinces in South Africa, characterized by delicately branched stems and small, bell-shaped pale yellow or purplish flowers.
Example
"During her botanical expedition in South Africa, she collected a beautiful specimen of a melasphaerula to study its adaptation to the Mediterranean climate."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for melasphaerula• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'melas' (black) and the Latin diminutive 'sphaerula' (little sphere), referencing the small, dark corms or bulbils associated with the plant.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Melasphaerula. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/melasphaerula