The spelling of the word "beanblossom" can be a bit confusing at first glance, but its pronunciation is straightforward. The word is pronounced as /ˈbinblɒsəm/, with the first syllable sounding like "been" and the second syllable like "blossom". It refers to the flower of the plant that produces beans. While the word itself may not be common in everyday usage, it provides an interesting example of how English language spelling can sometimes be difficult to decipher.
Beanblossom is a term that refers to two different plants, both belonging to the Evening-primrose family (Onagraceae). One of these plants is the species known scientifically as Oenothera biennis, which is commonly known as common evening-primrose or just evening primrose. It is a biennial herbaceous plant that is native to North America. The name "beanblossom" is used to describe its yellow flowers, which resemble beans in appearance. These flowers have a lovely fragrance and open up in the evening, giving the plant its common name.
The other plant known as beanblossom is the species known scientifically as Lespedeza thunbergii. Also referred to as Thunberg's bushclover, it is a deciduous shrub native to eastern Asia. This plant grows up to 6 feet tall and bears small, pale purple flowers that bloom in late summer. The flowers bear a resemblance to beans, which accounts for its common name "beanblossom." Additionally, beanblossom is cultivated as an ornamental shrub for its attractive flowers and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
In conclusion, "beanblossom" is a term used to describe the flowers of two different plants - Oenothera biennis (common evening-primrose) and Lespedeza thunbergii (Thunberg's bushclover). The term refers to the bean-like appearance of their respective flowers, which are either yellow or pale purple in color.
The word "beanblossom" is believed to have originated from the combination of two words: "bean" and "blossom".
The word "bean" has Old English and Germanic roots. In Old English, the word was "bēan", which ultimately traces back to Proto-Germanic "baunō". It refers to the edible seeds or legumes of various plants, specifically from the Fabaceae family. Over time, "bean" became the common term used for various leguminous seeds, such as kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans.
"Blossom", on the other hand, derives from Middle English "blosme", which can be traced back to the Old English word "blostm". This term stems from the Proto-Germanic word "blōsmǭ". It refers to the flower or the process of flowering.