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Sequoia sempervirens

Sequoia sempervirens

9.6
A very tall evergreen tree that grows on the west coast of the United States called the coast redwood
  • noun
  • /sɪˈkwɔɪə ˌsɛmpərˈvɪrənz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : secuoya sempervirens
  • The Sequoia sempervirens stands tall in the forest, reaching heights of over 300 feet.

Examples

  • Their true name is Sequoia sempervirens... always green, ever living.

  • Many visitors travel to California to see the magnificent Sequoia sempervirens, known for its thick bark and longevity.

  • The Sequoia sempervirens is considered one of the tallest trees in the world, thriving in the coastal climate.

Synonyms

redwood
vsSequoia sempervirens
  • US
28 3.6

A very tall evergreen tree from California with reddish bark that can live for many years

is the specific coastal species rather than the broader two-species group
coast redwood
vsSequoia sempervirens
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A very tall evergreen tree that grows near the Pacific coast of California and Oregon

is the same species but given a different common name in the entry
California redwood
vsSequoia sempervirens
  • US
4.6

A very tall evergreen tree with reddish-brown bark that grows on the coast of California and southern Oregon

emphasizes its exceptional longevity rather than bark appearance

Surface Forms

Morphology

sequoia + sempervirens

This binomial name is fully compositional: 'sequoia' denotes the redwood tree and 'sempervirens' (Latin for 'always green') describes a plant that remains green year‑round, so a learner who knows both parts can infer 'an evergreen sequoia / coast redwood'. Scientific Latin epithets commonly function descriptively across languages, making the meaning predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Sequoia sempervirens may come from the name Sequoyah, a Cherokee who made a writing system, and the second part, sempervirens, is Latin for 'always green'. This gives a clear image of a very tall tree that stays green all year, which is why the name fits the coast redwood.