'flower-bearing' originates from English, specifically formed by combining the noun 'flower' (ultimately from Old French 'flor', Latin 'flos, floris') and the present participle 'bearing' (from the verb 'bear', Old English 'beran'), where 'flower' meant 'a blossom' and 'bear' meant 'to carry or produce'.

'flower' came into Middle English from Old French 'flor' (from Latin 'flos, floris'), and the verbal element 'bearing' comes from Old English 'beran' (to carry/produce); the compound construction 'flower-bearing' has been created in English by combining these transparent elements and has been used in botanical descriptions since Middle/Modern English periods.

Initially, the root words referred to a 'blossom' ('flower') and 'to carry/produce' ('bear'); over time the compound has retained this literal meaning and is used adjectivally to describe plants that produce or have flowers.