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Japanese andromeda

Japanese andromeda

9.4
A shrub with wide evergreen leaves and hanging groups of white flowers grown in gardens
  • noun
  • /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz ˌændrəˈmoʊdə/
translation icon : andrómeda japonesa
  • We planted a Japanese andromeda because it stays green all year and thrives in shade.

Examples

  • The Japanese andromeda in her garden was covered in fragrant white blossoms in early spring.

  • The nursery recommended Japanese andromeda for its resistance to deer and attractive foliage.

  • The Japanese andromeda blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Many gardeners love the Japanese andromeda for its glossy leaves.

  • The Japanese andromeda in her garden was covered in fragrant white blossoms in early spring.

  • The nursery recommended Japanese andromeda for its resistance to deer and attractive foliage.

  • We planted a Japanese andromeda because it stays green all year and thrives in shade.

Synonyms

Pieris japonica
vsJapanese andromeda
  • Specialized
9.7

A small evergreen bush with shiny leaves and drooping clusters of white flowers often grown in gardens

is the broader name used for similar ornamental shrubs
lily-of-the-valley tree
vsJapanese andromeda
8.9

An evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and hanging sweet-smelling white flowers

focuses on the same drooping flowers but does not stress fragrance
andromeda
vsJapanese andromeda
9.3

A small evergreen bush with glossy leaves and clusters of small white flowers

is more specific native to Asia with broad leaves and drooping clusters

How Ornamental

rhododendron
8 6.2
azalea
11 7.4
Japanese andromeda
9.4
boxwood
3 6.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Japanese + andromeda

The phrase is fully compositional: the adjective 'Japanese' specifies the origin or variety of the noun 'andromeda' (a shrub). A B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer it denotes an andromeda shrub associated with Japan, because adjective+noun modification is a straightforward, cross-linguistic pattern.

Etymology

Japanese andromeda may come from the Greek myth of Andromeda, because the shrub's hanging groups of white flowers looked to people like a necklace or a flowing dress. So, because the plant comes from Japan and has that picture, Japanese andromeda now means an 'evergreen garden shrub with hanging white flowers'.