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Glite Dictionary
Prunus dasycarpa

Prunus dasycarpa

9.9
A small hybrid apricot tree from Asia with purple twigs, white flowers, and small purple fruit
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Prunus dasycarpa
  • The Prunus dasycarpa is often grown in botanical gardens for its unusual purple twigs and white blossoms.

Examples

  • Horticulturists study Prunus dasycarpa to understand hybridization between apricot species.

  • I planted a Prunus dasycarpa in my garden last year.

  • Despite its attractive appearance, the fruit of Prunus dasycarpa is considered inferior compared to other apricots.

  • The Prunus dasycarpa tree produces beautiful white flowers in spring.

  • The Prunus dasycarpa tree produces beautiful white flowers in spring.

  • Despite its attractive appearance, the fruit of Prunus dasycarpa is considered inferior compared to other apricots.

  • I planted a Prunus dasycarpa in my garden last year.

Synonyms

black apricot
vsPrunus dasycarpa
  • Indian
9.9

A small apricot tree from Asia that makes purple fruit

is the scientific name rather than the common name
purple apricot
vsPrunus dasycarpa
9.3

A small fruit tree with purple twigs, white flowers, and purple fruit grown mainly for its looks

uses the scientific name and focuses on botanical features not fruit quality

Surface Forms

Prunus dasycarpa singular
Prunus dasycarpas plural

Morphology

Prunus + dasycarpa

This is a taxonomic binomial where 'Prunus' clearly signals the genus (a type of tree), so a learner who knows the constituents would infer it names a species of Prunus. However, 'dasycarpa' is not a standard English word and has no dictionary gloss here, so the specific descriptive meaning (the particular hybrid/apricot traits) is not derivable from the parts alone. The genus component gives partial, predictable information but the species epithet is specialized/opaque, so overall the expression is partially transparent.

Etymology

Prunus dasycarpa may come from the parts Prunus (meaning 'plum') and dasy- + -carpa (literally 'hairy fruit'). So imagine a small plum-like or 'apricot' tree with purple twigs and rough purple fruit, and that picture helps you remember it is a small hybrid apricot tree known for its purple twigs and not very tasty fruit.