golden fig
- noun
- US
:
higuera dorada
- Researchers studied how the golden fig overtakes other trees in its habitat.
Examples
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During our hike, we spotted a golden fig with its impressive aerial roots spanning across the ground.
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The golden fig spreads its roots over rocks and old ruins.
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Many animals depend on the golden fig for food and shelter in the forest.
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The golden fig grows in tropical climates.
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Have you seen a golden fig tree before?
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In the rainforest, the golden fig provides a crucial habitat for various birds and insects.
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The golden fig can often be found climbing up the trunks of taller trees in search of sunlight.
Synonyms
1
8.5
A tropical tree that begins life on another tree then grows around and often kills it
A large tree that starts on another tree and grows roots that wrap and cover the host
A large fig tree that grows on other trees and sends down thick roots
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally interpretable as a type of fig described as 'golden', so a B1 learner who knows 'golden' and 'fig' would likely infer it refers to a kind of fig/tree. However, the full lexical meaning (a specific strangler, epiphytic species with thick aerial roots in Florida/West Indies) contains specialized botanical information that cannot be derived from the constituents alone, making it only partially predictable.
Etymology
Golden fig gets its name from the tree's pale yellow fruit and bark, so golden points to the color and fig to the fruit. It often starts life on another tree and sends roots down that spread and cover the tree below, so the name fits a plant that can overtake and cover other trees and old ruins.