non-flowering
|non-flow-er-ing|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˈflaʊərɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈflaʊərɪŋ/
not producing flowers
Etymology
'non-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'non', where the prefix 'non-' meant 'not'; 'flower' originates from Old French 'flor/fleur' and ultimately from Latin 'flos, floris' meaning 'flower'.
'flower' came into English via Old French 'flor'/'fleur' from Latin 'flos, floris'; the adjectival form 'flowering' developed from the verb 'flower' + suffix '-ing', and the negative prefix 'non-' was attached to form the compound 'non-flowering'.
Initially 'flower' meant 'blossom' or 'to produce blossoms'; over time the compound 'non-flowering' evolved to mean either 'not producing flowers' generally or 'belonging to groups of plants that do not produce flowers'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not producing flowers; lacking the production of blossoms.
Many indoor houseplants are non-flowering but valued for their foliage.
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Adjective 2
belonging to or characteristic of plants that do not produce flowers (e.g., ferns, mosses, many conifers).
Non-flowering plants such as ferns reproduce via spores rather than seeds.
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Last updated: 2025/08/19 16:04