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Definition of thelesperma
thelesperma
/ˌθɛləˈspɜːrmə/
the · le · sper · ma
Plural:thelespermas
thelesperma Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A plant belonging to a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native primarily to western North America and parts of South America, noted for its slender, thread-like leaves and yellow flowers.
Example
"Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest have historically harvested thelesperma to brew a mild, earthy beverage commonly known as Navajo tea."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for thelesperma• Rhymes for thelesperma
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Modern Latin, coined from the Greek words 'thēlē' (nipple) and 'sperma' (seed), referring to the small, papillose (nipple-like) bumps typically found on the seeds of the plant.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thelesperma. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thelesperma