Catalina cherry
- noun
- /ˌkætəˈliːnə ˈtʃɛri/
- US
- The Catalina cherry produces small, dark fruit that attract many birds on the island.
Examples
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Researchers studied the population of Catalina cherry on Santa Catalina Island to monitor its conservation status.
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Gardeners appreciate the Catalina cherry for its drought resistance and glossy leaves.
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The Catalina cherry tree grows well in coastal areas.
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I love the taste of Catalina cherries in summer.
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The Catalina cherry produces small, dark fruit that attract many birds on the island.
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I love the taste of Catalina cherries in summer.
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Researchers studied the population of Catalina cherry on Santa Catalina Island to monitor its conservation status.
Synonyms
An evergreen bush or small tree with spiny thick leaves and edible fruit like a small plum
A small evergreen shrub or tree with spiny leaves and white flowers
An evergreen shrub or small tree with spiny leathery leaves and white flowers from California
An evergreen shrub or small tree from Catalina Island with clusters of white flowers and dark purple fruit
Surface Forms
Morphology
Catalina + cherry
The compound is formed by a place-name modifier + a common noun, so a learner who knows 'Catalina' (the place) and 'cherry' (the fruit/tree) will readily infer it denotes a kind/variety of cherry associated with Catalina. This compositional place-name + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common, so the basic meaning is transparent even if specialized botanical details (evergreen shrub) require extra knowledge.
Etymology
Catalina cherry comes from Santa Catalina Island and the wild cherry that grows there. It literally means 'a cherry from Catalina', so today the name refers to the small evergreen tree with dark red fruit found on the island.