Populus balsamifera
- noun
- /ˈpɒpjʊləs bælˌsæmɪˈfɪərə/
- Specialized
:
álamo balsámico
- The sticky buds of Populus balsamifera are known for their distinctive resinous scent.
Examples
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A row of Populus balsamifera trees lined the edge of the river, their broad leaves shimmering in the wind.
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Researchers studied the growth patterns of Populus balsamifera in response to climate change.
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The Populus balsamifera tree can grow up to 30 meters tall.
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Have you ever seen a Populus balsamifera in the wild?
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A row of Populus balsamifera trees lined the edge of the river, their broad leaves shimmering in the wind.
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The sticky buds of Populus balsamifera are known for their distinctive resinous scent.
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The Populus balsamifera tree can grow up to 30 meters tall.
Synonyms
A tree with broad heart-shaped leaves and sticky buds that smell sweet
A tall tree with broad heart-shaped leaves like a balsam poplar
Surface Forms
Morphology
Populus + balsamifera
This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet): Populus = poplar, and balsamifera literally means ‘balsam-bearing’, so the name compositionally denotes a poplar species with resinous/balsamous buds. However, the specific epithet is a Latin/formulaic botanical term not found in ordinary English, and binomial naming conventions are specialist knowledge that B1 learners generally lack, so the connection is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Populus balsamifera comes from Latin: Populus means the poplar tree and balsamifera means 'balsam-bearing'. The tree has sticky, pleasant-smelling buds that make a resin, so the name tells us it is a poplar known for its aromatic, resinous buds.
