what is this kind of plant called?

[alpacinou]

Hello,

Imagine you have gone to a place like this and you want to describe it for your friend who hasn't seen it:



How would you describe that plant and its relation to the wall? Is it a "creeper"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, I would probably call it some kind of creeper. Without seeing it in leaf, it's hard to say exactly what it is. In leaf, I'd expect it to be some kind of ivy.

 

[alpacinou]

Yes, I would probably call it some kind of creeper. Without seeing it in leaf, it's hard to say exactly what it is. In leaf, I'd expect it to be some kind of ivy.

How would you describe its situation and position as it relates to the wall? I mean what is a verb or idiom that could be used here?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd just say the wall was covered in the bare branches/stems of some kind of creeper. I'm pretty sure that's not going to be exciting and poetic enough for you, but there you go!

 

[GoesStation]

The vines are climbing/clinging to the wall. Note that a person who's extremely irritated can also be said to be "climbing the wall".

 

[tedmc]

It depends on how you view the creepers on the wall.

The wall is adorned/complemented with creepers.(positive)

The wall is overgrown/wrapped with creepers. (negative)

 

[emsr2d2]

It depends on how you view the creepers on the wall.

The wall is adorned/complemented with creepers.(positive)

The wall is overgrown/wrapped with creepers. (negative)

I wouldn't say anything was "complemented with". I might use "complemented by" but the idea doesn't work for walls at all, for me.
In the same vein, "wrapped with" doesn't really work there either. We generally use "wrapped in".

 

[tedmc]

"Festooned with" is another possibility.

 

[emsr2d2]

I recall that you suggested that once before in another thread. It didn't work there and it doesn't work here. "Festooned" is used for decorative things that have been put up on purpose, such as balloons in a room for a birthday party.

 

[tedmc]

No, it wasn't me who suggested the word in another thread.

If we can use "adorned" figuratively, why can't we use the word "festooned" which is similar in meaning in the same way?

https://fraze.it/n_search.jsp?q=Festooned&l=0
(See examples 5 & 9)