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Glite Dictionary
Oxydendrum

Oxydendrum

9.9
A flowering tree with sour-tasting leaves and white flowers
  • noun
  • /ˌɒksɪˈdɛndrəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Oxydendrum
  • The Oxydendrum arboreum, commonly known as sourwood, blooms with delicate white flowers in summer.

Examples

  • The leaves of the Oxydendrum have a distinctive sour taste that deters many herbivores.

  • The Oxydendrum tree grows well in acidic soil.

  • Botanists identified the tree as part of the Oxydendrum genus.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Oxydendrum for its beautiful flowers.

  • The Oxydendrum arboreum, or sourwood, is known for its sweet-smelling white flowers in the summer.

  • Many people enjoy the unique sour flavor of the leaves from the Oxydendrum tree.

  • In the fall, the Oxydendrum displays stunning red foliage that attracts many nature lovers.

Synonyms

sourwood
vsOxydendrum
  • US
1 9.6

A tree with small white flowers that smell nice and leaves that taste sour

is the scientific genus name used in botanical classification rather than the common name

Compounds

Oxydendrum arboreum
  • Specialized
9.9

A tree that loses its leaves, with sour leaves, deep rough bark and small white fragrant flowers

Surface Forms

Oxydendrum singular
Oxydendrons plural

Morphology

Oxydendrum = oxy + dendrum

A Latinized botanical name composed of Greek combining forms ('oxy-' + 'dendrum') that are not productive or recognisable as standalone English words to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

The word Oxydendrum comes from the Greek parts oxys meaning 'sharp' or 'sour' and dendron meaning 'tree', so it means 'sour tree'. That's why the tree is commonly called sourwood and has sour-tasting leaves.