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Definition of nephrolepis

nephrolepis

/nəˈfrɑːləpɪs/
neph · ro · le · pis
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nephrolepis Lexical Profile

nephrolepis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A genus of tropical and subtropical ferns in the family Nephrolepidaceae, commonly known as sword ferns, characterized by their long, arching fronds and kidney-shaped spore-covering scales.

Example

"The classic Boston fern, a popular indoor houseplant known for its lush, drooping foliage, belongs to the genus Nephrolepis."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nephrolepis

• Nearby Words

nepean
nepenthes
nepeta
nephrolepis
neretva
nerine
nerium

Word Origin & Etymology

From New Latin, derived from the Greek words 'nephros' (kidney) and 'lepis' (scale), referring to the kidney-shaped indusia (protective scales) that cover the spores on the undersides of the fronds.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nephrolepis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nephrolepis
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