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Glite Dictionary
Benzoin odoriferum

Benzoin odoriferum

9.9
A small shrub with fragrant leaves, yellow flowers, and red or yellow berries
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛnzoʊɪn ˌɒdəˈrɪfərəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Benzoin odoriferum
  • The Benzoin odoriferum flourished along the riverbanks, filling the air with its distinctive scent.

Examples

  • The berries of Benzoin odoriferum attract many species of birds in late summer.

  • Gardeners appreciate Benzoin odoriferum for both its ornamental flowers and aromatic qualities.

  • The Benzoin odoriferum is a beautiful shrub.

  • Look at that Benzoin odoriferum!

  • Gardeners appreciate Benzoin odoriferum for its aromatic leaves and attractive flowers.

  • The sweet scent of Benzoin odoriferum fills the garden during the blooming season.

  • In the fall, the Benzoin odoriferum produces bright yellow berries that attract wildlife.

Synonyms

Lindera benzoin
vsBenzoin odoriferum
  • Specialized
9.9

A shrub with fragrant leaves and bark, yellow flowers, and red or yellow berries

is the common everyday name rather than the scientific label
American spicebush
vsBenzoin odoriferum
  • US
8.7

A small bush that loses its leaves each year with strong-smelling leaves, yellow flowers, and red or yellow berries

uses the basic common name without a country modifier
spice bush
vsBenzoin odoriferum
  • US
7.1

A small bush from eastern North America with leaves that have a strong smell and red or yellow berries

is the same name but sometimes written differently as one word
Benjamin bush
vsBenzoin odoriferum
  • Specialized
9.9

A bush that loses its leaves in winter with fragrant leaves, yellow flowers, and red or yellow berries

is the standard common name used more widely today
spicebush
vsBenzoin odoriferum
  • US
8.8

A shrub with fragrant leaves, flowers, and red berries

is the broader common name that can be written two words

Surface Forms

Benzoin odoriferum singular
Benzoin odoriferums plural

Morphology

Benzoin + odoriferum

This scientific binomial is fully compositional: 'Benzoin' names the shrub genus and the Latin epithet 'odoriferum' literally means 'bearing smell' or 'fragrant', so the full name denotes an aromatic Benzoin. The Latin morphology is transparent (odor- + -ferum) and parallels descriptive epithets in many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Benzoin odoriferum comes from older words: Benzoin was the name for a sweet-smelling resin and odoriferum is Latin for 'scent-bearing'. So the name points to the shrub's strong, pleasant smell and explains why it means a fragrant shrub.