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Glite Dictionary
Norfolk Island pine

Norfolk Island pine

7.7
A tall evergreen tree from Norfolk Island often grown as a house plant or decoration
  • noun
  • /ˈnɔrfək ˈaɪlənd paɪn/
  • Australian
translation icon : pino de Norfolk
  • Many homeowners choose the Norfolk Island pine as an indoor ornamental plant.

Examples

  • The Norfolk Island pine is a beautiful addition to any garden.

  • The living room was decorated with a Norfolk Island pine for the holidays.

  • In the wild, a mature Norfolk Island pine can grow over fifty meters tall.

  • Many homeowners choose to plant Norfolk Island pines for their unique look.

  • The Norfolk Island pine is a popular choice for holiday decorations during Christmas.

  • In warm climates, the Norfolk Island pine can grow up to 60 meters tall, creating a beautiful landscape.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Norfolk Island pine for its symmetrical shape and lush, green foliage.

Synonyms

Araucaria heterophylla
vsNorfolk Island pine
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall evergreen tree with a straight trunk often grown as a house or garden plant

is the common ornamental name rather than the precise scientific name
Araucaria excelsa
vsNorfolk Island pine
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall evergreen tree like a pine often grown for decoration

is the common ornamental name not the alternative scientific label

Surface Forms

Norfolk Island pine singular
Norfolk Island pines plural

Morphology

Norfolk + island + pine

The phrase is compositional: 'Norfolk Island' names the place of origin and 'pine' names the tree, so the meaning 'a pine from Norfolk Island' is directly derivable from the constituents. Even if the proper name 'Norfolk' is unfamiliar, the structure signals a location-based variety of pine, a common and transparent pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will understand it.

Etymology

Norfolk Island pine comes from the island Norfolk Island, where the tree grows naturally, and from the word pine, because its tall, stacked branches look like a pine tree. So the name means 'a pine-like tree from Norfolk Island' and today it refers to this green tree people often grow in their homes.