flora

noun

flo·ra | \ ˈflȯr-ə

plural floras also florae\ ˈflȯr-ˌē

, -ˌī \

Definition of flora

1 : a treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period

2 : plant, bacterial, or fungal life especially : such life characteristic of a region, period, or special environment fossil flora intestinal flora — compare fauna

Other Words from flora Synonyms Flora Has Roots in Roman Mythology Example Sentences Learn More about flora

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Flora Has Roots in Roman Mythology

Flora means "flower" in Latin, and Flora was the Roman goddess of spring and flowering plants, especially wildflowers and plants not raised for food. She was shown as a beautiful young woman in a long, flowing dress with flowers in her hair, strewing flowers over the earth. English preserves her name in such words as floral, floret, and flourish. A region's flora may range from tiny violets to towering trees. The common phrase "flora and fauna" covers just about every visible living thing.

Examples of flora in a Sentence

an amazing variety of coastal flora the floras of different coastal regions

Recent Examples on the Web

To complement the cuisine, craft cocktails with a tropical edge flowed abundantly, almost as much as the immersive flora. — Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, "Welcome to the Jungle: Fashion Week Comes to an End With a Gitano Dance Party," 14 Feb. 2019 Puerto Rico fell off many travelers’ radars after Hurricane Maria tortured the island in September 2017, wiping out thousands of lives and homes, denuding flora and laying waste to the power grid—and the recovery has been difficult. — Sara Clemence, WSJ, "Puerto Rico on the Rebound: A Three-Day Getaway Guide," 26 Dec. 2018 The property’s look is inspired by luxury safaris of a bygone era, but its mission is thoroughly modern: to provide employment and protect flora and fauna. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "The Best Places to Travel in 2019," 7 Dec. 2018 Some clearly evoked the flora and fauna of Art Nouveau; others recalled the brash, geometric shapes of Cubism and Art Deco. — Sam Lubell, New York Times, "A Glasgow Architect’s Masterpiece Is Damaged, but Not His Magic," 2 July 2018 Admire the flora and fauna or just enjoy this verdant spot for a picnic, stroll or serene time out. — Sophie Davies, Condé Nast Traveler, "16 Best Parks in Sydney," 20 Mar. 2018 Certain flora produces them as a defense mechanism against fungi and insects. — Zahra Barnes, SELF, "Beware of Phytophotodermatitis, The Weird Sun Reaction That Could Definitely Ruin Your Summer," 18 Aug. 2018 New Zealand has launched an ambitious plan to rid the country of predators such as rats, stoats and possums that have decimated native flora and fauna. — Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, "Communities Raise Their Voices on Genetic Engineering," 27 July 2018 Growing as both a shrub and a vine, the innocuous-looking flora produces a noxious sap responsible for the reaction, called allergic contact dermatitis. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of a Poison Ivy Rash and Stop Itching Like Crazy," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flora.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.