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Glite Dictionary
California box elder

California box elder

8.6
A maple tree that grows on the Pacific coast of the United States with white fruit
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : arce box elder de California
  • We saw a mature California box elder with clusters of white fruits in the park.

Examples

  • The California box elder thrives along streams on the Pacific coast.

  • Landscapers often choose the California box elder for its hardiness and unique foliage.

  • The California box elder grows well in coastal regions.

  • Many California box elders are found in parks.

  • The California box elder produces distinctive white fruits that attract various birds.

  • In spring, the California box elder is known for its vibrant foliage and beautiful blossoms.

  • Gardeners often plant the California box elder for its ability to thrive in coastal climates.

Synonyms

Acer negundo Californicum
vsCalifornia box elder
  • Specialized
9.9

A maple tree that grows on the US Pacific coast and has white ripe fruits

uses the everyday common name rather than the scientific Latin name

Surface Forms

California box elder singular
California box elders plural

Morphology

California + box + elder

The phrase is a place + species name combination, so a learner who knows 'California', 'box' and 'elder' can plausibly infer it refers to a plant or tree found in California. However, the specific identity as a maple species and the diagnostic feature (white mature fruits) cannot be predicted from the literal meanings of 'box' and 'elder', so the meaning is not fully derivable from the parts.

Etymology

California box elder may come from the older name box elder, because people thought its wood looked like box wood and its leaves looked like elder. So the name makes a simple picture and refers to a kind of 'maple' tree on the California coast that often has groups of white fruits.