genus Phytolacca
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs faɪtəˈlækə/
- Specialized
:
género Phytolacca
- The genus Phytolacca includes several species of pokeweed found in North America.
Examples
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Researchers are studying alkaloids present in the genus Phytolacca for their medicinal properties.
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Fruit from plants of the genus Phytolacca can be toxic if ingested by humans.
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The genus Phytolacca includes several species of pokeweed.
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Many botanists study the genus Phytolacca for its medicinal properties.
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The genus Phytolacca includes several species of pokeweed that thrive in moist environments.
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Medicinal properties of the genus Phytolacca are being researched for potential health benefits.
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In North America, the genus Phytolacca is known for its striking berries, which can be toxic.
Synonyms
A group of flowering plants like pokeweed that make dark purple berries
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is strictly compositional: 'genus' names a biological taxonomic rank and 'Phytolacca' is the proper name of that taxon, so the phrase simply means 'the genus called Phytolacca.' This rank+name pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the meaning.
Etymology
Genus Phytolacca comes from the old parts phyto and lacca, which mean 'plant' and 'dye', because the dark berries of pokeweed were once used to make a dye and ink. So the name points to this group of pokeweed plants and their dark, sometimes poisonous, berries.
