genus Arctostaphylos

9.9

A group of evergreen shrubs with red bark and thick leaves native to western North America

noun
/ˈdʒɛnəs ɑrkˌtoʊstæfɪˈloʊs/

Specialized

: género Arctostaphylos

The genus Arctostaphylos includes many species known for their distinctive red bark and evergreen leaves.

Examples

Some garden enthusiasts plant members of the genus Arctostaphylos as ornamentals due to their attractive appearance.
Botanists are currently studying the distribution of the genus Arctostaphylos in California's chaparral regions.
The genus Arctostaphylos includes many species of shrubs.
Do you know about the genus Arctostaphylos?
Botanists are currently studying the distribution of the genus Arctostaphylos in California's chaparral regions.
Some garden enthusiasts plant members of the genus Arctostaphylos as ornamentals due to their attractive appearance.
The genus Arctostaphylos includes many species known for their distinctive red bark and evergreen leaves.

Synonyms

Arctostaphylos

vsgenus Arctostaphylos

Specialized

9.9

A group of evergreen shrubs like manzanita and bearberry native to North America

is narrower, describing evergreen shrubs native to western North America

Surface Forms

genus Arctostaphylos singular

genera Arctostaphylos plural

Morphology

genus + Arctostaphylos

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'genus' (a taxonomic rank) combined with the proper name 'Arctostaphylos' straightforwardly denotes that particular biological group. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the named group of shrubs, and this naming pattern is cross-linguistically common and predictable.

Etymology

Genus Arctostaphylos may come from old Greek parts arcto and staphylos, meaning 'bear' and 'grape', because the shrubs make small round berries that look like tiny grapes and are often eaten by bears. So the name became the scientific name for the shrubs we now call manzanita or bearberry.