flora

noun

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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

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 Another artist in the exhibition, Kaoru Mansour, is a painter and collage artist who often depicts human figures and flora, while her compositions incorporate what might be considered a traditional Japanese aesthetic of negative space. — Scarlet Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2021 South Tulum is also home to several eco-friendly tourism attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sian Ka'an, a sublime biosphere of natural beauty where thousands of endemic flora and fauna reside. — Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2021 Two short trails — one paved, one unpaved — include interpretative signage describing local flora and fauna with views of a nearby creek, pond and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. — Dallas News, 24 May 2021 According to Plantlife, Europe's largest conservation charity dedicated to wildflowers and other flora, that spring took its toll on flowering, with 56% fewer dandelion flowers and 40% fewer daisies growing on lawns. — Daniela De Lorenzo, Forbes, 12 May 2021 More planting is planned, both to replace the flora that was lost and to restore another element that long-time visitors might recall. — Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 14 May 2021 People can look for flora and fauna in their own backyards, on a walk around their neighborhoods, or at local parks and beaches. — Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 May 2021 Despite Buckingham Palace's urban location in the Westminster area of London, the Queen's garden is a biodiverse habitat for rare flora and fauna. — Nathalie Kirby, House Beautiful, 21 Apr. 2021 Founded in 1973, Lankester Botanical Garden’s mission is to promote conservation, enjoyment and the sustainable use of flora through scientific research, horticulture and environmental education. — Sandra Macgregor, Forbes, 6 May 2021

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.