释义 |
Adam's Needle [In allusion to Gen. iii. 7.] 1. Popular name of the Yuccas (especially Yucca gloriosa), plants allied to the Aloes, cultivated as garden flowers. Also Adam's needle-and-thread.
1760J. Lee Introd. Bot. 294/1 Adam's Needle, Yucca. 1861Delamer Flower Gard. 158, Yucca—Adam's Needle—In appearance, something between dwarf Palm-trees and Aloes. 1872Oliver Elem. Bot. ii. 260 The Crown-Imperial, Asphodels, and Yucca or Adam's Needle, belong to the order [Liliaceæ]. 1891Cent. Dict. [s.v. Yucca], From their sharp-pointed leaves with threads hanging from their edges, Y. filamentosa and Y. aloifolia are known as Adam's needle and thread and as Eve's thread. 1938B. Damon Grandma 73 A clump of yuccas, ‘Adam's needle-and-thread’. 2. Occ. name of the plant more commonly known as Shepherd's Needle (Scandix Pecten-Veneris). ‘From the long needle-like fruits.’ Britten Plant-Names. |