Spondias purpurea

9.9

A tropical shrub or small tree that grows purple edible fruit called jocote

noun

Specialized

: spondias purpurea

The fruit of the Spondias purpurea is often eaten fresh or used in jams and drinks.

Examples

Some markets sell Spondias purpurea under the name 'jocote' during the summer season.
Farmers in Central America cultivate Spondias purpurea for its flavorful, juicy berries.
The Spondias purpurea tree produces delicious fruits.
Have you ever tasted Spondias purpurea?
Farmers in Central America cultivate Spondias purpurea for its flavorful, juicy berries.
Some markets sell Spondias purpurea under the name 'jocote' during the summer season.
The fruit of the Spondias purpurea is often eaten fresh or used in jams and drinks.

Synonyms

jocote

vsSpondias purpurea

9.9

A small tropical tree that grows red or purple fruit you can eat

is the formal botanical name for that same species

mombin tree

vsSpondias purpurea

Specialized

9.9

A small tropical tree that makes purple fruit

is a precise species name rather than a genus label

mombin

vsSpondias purpurea

9.9

A tropical tree or its small edible fruit, like a plum

is restricted to the single American species not the broader term

Surface Forms

Spondias purpurea singular

Spondias purpureas plural

Morphology

Spondias + purpurea

This is a Latin binomial combining the genus name 'Spondias' (a tropical tree) with the specific epithet 'purpurea'; if a learner knew both constituents (and recognised 'purpurea' as meaning 'purple'), they could infer it denotes a purple Spondias species. However 'purpurea' is not an English lexical item and is often unknown to B1 learners, so the meaning is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Spondias purpurea is the Latin name for a small tropical tree. The second word purpurea means 'purple', so the name points to its purple fruit you can eat called 'jocote' and helps you remember the tree.