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Glite Dictionary
genus Ledum

genus Ledum

9.9
A group of evergreen shrubs from northern regions with leathery leaves and white flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈliːdəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Ledum
  • The genus Ledum includes several species commonly known as Labrador tea.

Examples

  • Characteristics of the genus Ledum are leathery leaves and white flowers.

  • Many plants in the genus Ledum thrive in acidic soils.

  • Botanists once classified these northern shrubs in the genus Ledum before reassigning them to Rhododendron.

  • The genus Ledum includes several species of shrubs.

  • Characteristics of the genus Ledum include leathery leaves and clusters of white flowers.

  • The genus Ledum encompasses several species that are commonly known as Labrador tea.

  • Many plants belonging to the genus Ledum thrive in wet, acidic soils.

Synonyms

Ledum
vsgenus Ledum
  • Archaic
9.9

A small evergreen shrub with scented leaves and white flowers that grows in cold wet places

is the same meaning but expressed as a more formal taxonomic phrase

Surface Forms

genus Ledum singular
genera Ledum plural

Morphology

genus + Ledum

The noun phrase directly combines the biological term 'genus' (a rank grouping related species) with the proper name 'Ledum' (the name of a group of shrubs), so the meaning — a genus called Ledum — is fully recoverable from the parts. This compositional naming pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Genus Ledum takes its name from the old scientific name Ledum that early plant scientists used for a group of low, evergreen shrubs. Imagine a row of leathery bushes used to make 'Labrador tea', and that picture helps you remember that genus Ledum refers to this particular group of shrubs today.