Sawgrasses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of aquatic plant belonging to the family Cyperaceae, commonly found in coastal wetlands and marshes
2. Emergent plants characterized by long, grass-like leaves that grow in shallow waters and provide habitats for various wildlife
3. Grasses adapted to wetland environments, often forming dense stands that stabilize shorelines and filter water pollutants

Etymology: "Sawgrasses" is simply the plural of "sawgrass," a compound of "saw" and "grass." The name refers to the blade-edged leaves of the plants, whose rough margins are lined with tiny teeth that can cut skin, and the image of a serrated blade gave the plants their common name. Many members of the sedge family share this habit, which is why the name is applied to several related species growing in wet ground. The plural form simply counts multiple plants or species, following the regular English pattern for nouns ending in "s," which takes "-es." The word's construction is transparent: a familiar tool name joined to a familiar plant name, with no borrowed or disguised parts.