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Glite Dictionary
Heteromeles arbutifolia

Heteromeles arbutifolia

9.9
An evergreen shrub from California with white flowers and red berries
  • noun
  • /ˌhɛtərəˈmɛliz ɑrˌbjuːtɪˈfoʊliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Heteromeles arbutifolia
  • Many native gardeners plant Heteromeles arbutifolia for its attractive red berries and year-round foliage.

Examples

  • You can easily spot Heteromeles arbutifolia along coastal hillsides in California during the winter months.

  • The berries of Heteromeles arbutifolia have been used by indigenous peoples for various purposes.

  • Look at the stunning Heteromeles arbutifolia!

  • I saw a beautiful Heteromeles arbutifolia in the garden.

  • Many native gardeners plant Heteromeles arbutifolia for its attractive red berries and year-round foliage.

  • The berries of Heteromeles arbutifolia have been used by indigenous peoples for various purposes.

  • You can easily spot Heteromeles arbutifolia along coastal hillsides in California during the winter months.

Synonyms

toyon
vsHeteromeles arbutifolia
  • US
9.9

A bush that keeps its leaves all year with white flowers and red berries

is the scientific or formal name for that identical plant
Photinia arbutifolia
vsHeteromeles arbutifolia
  • Specialized
9.9

A bush or small tree that stays green all year with white flowers and red berries

is the accepted species name rather than the broader genus placement
tollon
vsHeteromeles arbutifolia
  • Specialized
9.9

An evergreen shrub from the US Pacific coast with large white flowers and red berries used in gardens

uses the precise species name rather than a treelike description

Surface Forms

Heteromeles arbutifolia singular
Heteromeles arbutifolias plural

Morphology

Heteromeles + arbutifolia

This is a Latin scientific name (a binomial) rather than a compositional English phrase, so its ordinary meaning (‘toyon’/California holly) is a taxonomic label not derivable from the surface parts. The constituent strings are proper names/Latinized morphemes (and one is missing from the dictionary), requiring botanical or Latin knowledge beyond B1 vocabulary, so a learner who only knows the parts would not infer the common meaning.

Etymology

Heteromeles arbutifolia is the formal name for the shrub also called toyon or California holly; picture a green bush with bright red berries in winter that people used as a 'Christmas decoration' and as 'food'. That's why the name brings to mind an evergreen plant with red, berry-like fruits.