flora
flora — noun
1. all the plants that grow naturally in a specific place, region, or during a part
all the plants that grow naturally in a specific place, region, or during a particular period of time — for example, the plants found in a rainforest, a desert, or a prehistoric era.
The flora of Madagascar includes thousands of plant species found nowhere else on Earth.
collocation: flora of + [place]
Scientists study the ancient flora of the Arctic by examining fossils from the Ice Age.
Imran took photographs of the coastal flora during his trip to New Zealand.
A book describing the native flora of Taiwan lists over four thousand plant types.
The region's rich flora supports a wide variety of birds and insects.
- vegetation
broader term for all plant cover; less scientific and less likely to include a historical or regional perspective
- plant life
simpler everyday alternative, common in general writing
- greenery
informal, emphasizes the visual green aspect of plants; not used for scientific contexts
- fauna
the animals of a particular place or time, commonly contrasted with flora
文法句型
flora of + [place/period]
[adjective] + flora
用法筆記
Flora is typically uncountable and refers to the collective plant life of an area. It is often paired with 'fauna' (the animals of the area) in the set phrase 'flora and fauna'.
常見錯誤
2. the community of tiny organisms — mainly bacteria — that naturally live inside a
the community of tiny organisms — mainly bacteria — that naturally live inside an animal's body, especially in the digestive system, where they help with processes such as breaking down food.
The human gut flora helps break down food and produces vitamins that the body needs.
collocation: gut flora
Doctors say that taking antibiotics can change the natural flora inside your digestive system.
collocation: natural flora
Daichi's doctor recommended eating yogurt to keep his intestinal flora healthy.
A balanced flora in the mouth helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Scientists are studying how the skin flora protects us from harmful bacteria.
- microbiome
more modern term that includes the genetic material of all microbes; gaining popularity over 'flora'
- microflora
more technical synonym, same meaning but less common
- bacteria
only covers one type of organism in the flora; narrower in meaning
文法句型
[location] + flora
[adjective] + flora
用法筆記
This sense is almost always modified by a location adjective ('gut', 'intestinal', 'oral', 'skin') that specifies where the microorganisms live. Frequently used in medical and scientific writing.