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evergreen cherry

evergreen cherry

7.7
A small tree or shrub with spiny leaves that stay green all year and white flowers
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : cereza perenne
  • The evergreen cherry is often planted in California gardens for its attractive foliage.

Examples

  • The evergreen cherry blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Several birds nest in the branches of the evergreen cherry each spring.

  • Botanists studied the ecology of the evergreen cherry in the wild coastal regions.

  • Many gardeners love the evergreen cherry for its resilience.

  • The evergreen cherry produces delicate white flowers that attract many pollinators.

  • In California, the evergreen cherry can be found thriving in both wild and cultivated areas.

  • Many residents enjoy the beauty of the evergreen cherry in their gardens throughout the year.

Synonyms

Prunus ilicifolia
vsevergreen cherry
  • Specialized
9.9

An evergreen bush or small tree with spiny thick leaves and edible fruit like a small plum

is the common name for the same shrub not the scientific term
holly-leaved cherry
vsevergreen cherry
  • US
9.8

An evergreen shrub or small tree with spiny leathery leaves and white flowers from California

is the main common name focusing on the plant rather than leaf shape
holly-leaf cherry
vsevergreen cherry
  • US
8.7

A small evergreen shrub or tree with spiny leaves and white flowers

is the main common name focusing on the plant rather than leaf shape
islay
vsevergreen cherry
  • US
9.9

A California evergreen tree with white flowers and small plum fruits

is limited to California native use rather than broad regional range
Catalina cherry
vsevergreen cherry
  • US
7.8

An evergreen shrub or small tree from Catalina Island that produces small dark red edible fruit

is the general Californian shrub not limited to one island or fruit color

Surface Forms

Morphology

evergreen + cherry

The noun phrase 'evergreen cherry' is transparently built from the adjective 'evergreen' (keeps foliage year-round) modifying 'cherry' (a cherry tree/shrub), so its basic meaning—a cherry that is evergreen—is directly derivable from the parts. This adjective+noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE even if botanical specifics vary.

Etymology

Evergreen cherry is named for its leaves that stay green all year, the evergreen part, and for its small red fruit that look like cherry. So the name now means 'a small, evergreen shrub or tree with cherry-like fruit'.