lamb's ears
B1informal, botanical/gardening
Definition
Meaning
A low-growing perennial plant (Stachys byzantina) with soft, velvety, silvery-grey leaves resembling a lamb's ear.
Metaphorically, any soft, fuzzy texture that visually or tactilely resembles the ear of a lamb.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the specific plant species, but can be used in poetic or descriptive language for soft textures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The plant is known by the same name. Spelling follows respective standards (e.g., 'silvery' vs. 'silvery').
Connotations
Associated with cottage gardens, soft foliage, and drought-tolerant planting in both regions.
Frequency
Moderately common in gardening contexts in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to] plant [object] lamb's ears[to] have [object] lamb's ears [in the garden]The [subject] lamb's ears [verb] spread.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated with the plant]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except potentially in horticultural trade.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and horticultural studies.
Everyday
Common in gardening conversations and descriptions of garden plants.
Technical
Used in horticulture, landscaping, and plant taxonomy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The lamb's-ears foliage felt wonderfully soft.
American English
- The lamb's ears plant needs well-drained soil.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I touched the lamb's ears in the garden. It was very soft.
- We planted some lamb's ears along the edge of the path because they are easy to grow.
- The silvery-grey foliage of the lamb's ears provides excellent contrast to darker green plants in the border.
- Despite its delicate appearance, Stachys byzantina, commonly known as lamb's ears, is remarkably drought-tolerant once established.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the soft, fuzzy ear of a young lamb, then picture a plant with leaves that feel just like that.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOFTNESS IS A LAMB'S EAR; NATURE IS TEXTURED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate word-for-word as 'уши ягненка' when referring to the plant, as it is a fixed name. The plant is known as 'чистец византийский' or 'стахис шерстистый'.
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'lamb's ear' when referring to the plant as a species (plural is standard). Confusing it with 'lamb's lettuce' (a salad green).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of the plant 'lamb's ears'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically treated as a plural noun when referring to the plant (e.g., 'The lamb's ears are spreading'), though it can be used attributively in the singular (e.g., 'a lamb's ears plant').
No, Stachys byzantina is primarily an ornamental plant and is not grown for culinary use.
No, they are known for being drought-tolerant and prefer well-drained soil, making them suitable for dry gardens.
The most common scientific name is Stachys byzantina. It is also sometimes referred to as Stachys lanata.