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frankincense pine

frankincense pine

9.5
A tall pine tree with groups of three needles, a bushy top, and reddish-brown bark
  • noun
  • /ˈfræŋkɪnˌsɛns paɪn/
  • US
translation icon : pino de incienso
  • Botanists studied the three-needled leaves of the frankincense pine to distinguish it from other species.

Examples

  • The bark of the frankincense pine is noted for its deep, reddish fissures.

  • A mature frankincense pine can reach impressive heights in the forests of Georgia.

  • The frankincense pine is known for its unique appearance.

  • Many frankincense pines grow in the warm climate of Florida.

  • In the southeastern United States, a frankincense pine can grow to be up to 100 feet tall.

  • The frankincense pine is characterized by its full, bushy crown and reddish-brown bark.

  • During a hike in Georgia, I spotted a magnificent frankincense pine towering above the other trees.

Antonyms

5 6.1

Trees and plants that lose their leaves each year, often in autumn

Surface Forms

Morphology

frankincense + pine

This is a taxonomic/common name for a specific pine species whose defining features (reddish-brown fissured bark, three-needled clusters, etc.) are not deducible from the parts. Even if a learner knows 'frankincense' (an aromatic resin) and 'pine', they would not reliably infer the species-specific description, so the compound is not compositionally predictable.

Etymology

The name frankincense pine may come from the tree's sticky sap that gives a sweet, spicy smell like frankincense, the incense people burned in old ceremonies. So the link between frankincense (the scent) and pine (the tree) helps you remember it is a tall pine with groups of three needles.