Sequoia sempervirens
- noun
- /sɪˈkwɔɪə ˌsɛmpərˈvɪrənz/
- Specialized
- The Sequoia sempervirens stands tall in the forest, reaching heights of over 300 feet.
Examples
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Their true name is Sequoia sempervirens... always green, ever living.
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Many visitors travel to California to see the magnificent Sequoia sempervirens, known for its thick bark and longevity.
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The Sequoia sempervirens is considered one of the tallest trees in the world, thriving in the coastal climate.
Synonyms
A very tall evergreen tree from California with reddish bark that can live for many years
A very tall evergreen tree that grows near the Pacific coast of California and Oregon
A very tall evergreen tree with reddish-brown bark that grows on the coast of California and southern Oregon
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.