aandblom

English

Alternative forms

• avondbloem, aandbloem, aandblommetjie, avondbloemetje, avondblometjie, aandblommetje

Etymology

Borrowed from Afrikaans aandblom (“evening flower”), aand (“evening”) + blom (“flower”)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɑːnt.blɒm/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑnt.blɑm/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: aand‧blom

Noun

aandblom (plural aandblomme)

1. (South Africa) Any of several, typically evening blooming, flowers related to the Iris, in particular of the genus Hesperantha. [First attested in the late 18^th century.]
   • 2004, Peter Joyce, Flower Watching in the Cape: Scenic Routes Throughout the Year:

     This 22-ha area protects a fragment of granitic soil that nurtures a host of species, most striking of which are bulb-like plants such as the multi-hued babianas and lachenalias; white, read and pink sundews (carnivorous plants that meet their mineral needs by feeding on insects); the 'evening flowers', or aandblomme, whose heady scent fills the air at dusk, and the lovely chincherinchees, creamy blooms that grow profusely in the area.