【英语时差8,16】百日菊

生词：

hybridize [ˈhaibridaiz] 使杂交

testimony¹ [ˈtestiməni] 证据    

compositae 菊科

thrive [θraiv] 兴盛

confine [kənˈfain] 限制

susceptible² [səˈseptəbl] 易受影响的; 易动感情的

 

The wild zinnia, a nondescript small flower, was first found growing in Mexico in 1519 and introduced to European and American gardens. Originally known in Europe as the “Poorhouse Flower” a later common name was the “Cinderella Flower” because of the transformation³ of the original flower into the varied⁴ colors and forms that later evolved. It was named after Dr. Zinn, an 18th century German whose hobby was hybridizing wild flowers.

 

    In 1886 a French botanist⁵ produced the first double, and in 1920 Luther Burbank, an American, produced the first dahlia type zinnia. Today, the diversity of colors and flower forms is a living testimony to the science and art of the plant hybridists. A member of the compositae or sunflower family, to which most daisy-like flowers belong, it blooms now in every color except blue. The plants thrive in heat, and should have good air circulation. Confine your watering to the roots only, so that the leaves don’t get wet, because zinnia plants are susceptible to mildew⁶.

 

    If you examine the flowers carefully you may see that there are two types of flowers: the inner or “disc” flowers and the outer petal-like “ray” flowers. In the double forms, the “disc” flowers have taken on the characteristics of the ray flowers. The zinnia is an annual, but it has come a long way to spend each summer in our gardens.

1 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

2 susceptible   

adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的

参考例句：

• Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
• We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。

3 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

4 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

5 botanist   

n.植物学家

参考例句：

• The botanist introduced a new species of plant to the region.那位植物学家向该地区引入了一种新植物。
• I had never talked with a botanist before,and I found him fascinating.我从没有接触过植物学那一类的学者，我觉得他说话极有吸引力。

6 mildew   

n.发霉；v.（使）发霉

参考例句：

• The interior was dark and smelled of mildew.里面光线很暗，霉味扑鼻。
• Mildew may form in this weather.这种天气有可能发霉。