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Glite Dictionary
coyote bush

coyote bush

9.5
An evergreen bush with small clustered flowers that spreads in the southwestern United States
  • noun
  • /kaɪˈoʊti bʌʃ/
  • US
translation icon : arbusto coyote
  • The coyote bush thrives in dry, rocky soil, making it a common sight in the desert landscapes of Arizona.

Examples

  • During our hike, we saw a coyote bush with vibrant yellow flowers blooming in the sunlight.

  • The garden was filled with native plants, including coyote bush that attracted many butterflies.

  • For Aaron, having been raised in Napa his whole life, it is here amongst the oaks, coyote bush, and manzanita that he is home.

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Synonyms

Baccharis pilularis
vscoyote bush
  • Specialized
9.9

A spreading evergreen shrub with small flower clusters that grows on California coastal hills

is the common familiar name used instead of the scientific label
coyote brush
vscoyote bush
  • US
9.2

A spreading evergreen shrub with small flowers that grows on dry hills in the southwestern United States

describes the flowers in plain cluster terms not technical ones
kidney wort
vscoyote bush
  • US
9.9

A low evergreen shrub that spreads widely with many small flower clusters

is the more widely used common name for this shrub
chaparral broom
vscoyote bush
  • Specialized
9.9

A spreading evergreen shrub with small clusters of white flowers that grows in dry places

refers to the plant but focuses on general appearance rather than that name

Surface Forms

coyote bush singular
coyote bushes plural

Morphology

coyote + bush

The compound 'coyote bush' transparently combines 'coyote' and 'bush' to denote a type of bush associated with or named after the coyote, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is a kind of shrub. Specific botanical details (evergreen, regional distribution) are not predictable from the parts, but the basic referential meaning 'a bush/plant' is compositional and follows common naming patterns.

Etymology

The plant name coyote bush may come from the simple image of coyotes using this bush for food and shelter; people often saw coyotes eating its seeds or hiding in its branches. So the name links the animal with the plant and now means this common 'shrub' of dry western hills.