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Glite Dictionary
snakeberry

snakeberry

9.9
A small woodland plant with white flowers and bright red poisonous berries
  • noun
  • /ˈsneɪkˌbɛri/
  • US
translation icon : fruto de serpiente
  • Hikers are warned not to eat the bright red snakeberries found along the trail, as they are toxic.

Examples

  • The woodland garden was dotted with the white flowers and glossy fruits of the snakeberry plant.

  • I found some snakeberries while hiking in the woods.

  • Children were taught to recognize snakeberry to avoid accidental poisoning.

  • The snakeberry plant thrives in shady areas.

  • Hikers are warned not to eat the bright red snakeberries found along the trail, as they are toxic.

  • Children were taught to recognize snakeberry to avoid accidental poisoning.

  • The woodland garden was dotted with the white flowers and glossy fruits of the snakeberry plant.

Synonyms

Actaea rubra
vssnakeberry
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American plant that lives for many years with divided leaves, small white flowers, and bright red poisonous berries

is the common, everyday name used instead of the scientific form
red baneberry
vssnakeberry
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant from North America with red poisonous berries and small white flowers

has flowers arranged in racemes rather than simple clusters
baneberry
vssnakeberry
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that grows in woods with clusters of small poisonous berries

is a specific North American herb that bears bright red berries

How Poisonous

baneberry
  • Specialized
1 9.9
snakeberry
  • US
9.9

Surface Forms

snakeberry singular
snakeberries plural

Morphology

snakeberry = snake + berry (semi-transparent) = snake + berry

The compound clearly denotes a type of 'berry' associated with 'snake', but the specific botanical identity and poisonous properties are lexicalized and not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Snakeberry is a simple compound of snake and berry, where snake suggests 'danger' and berry means 'small fruit'. People used the name as a natural warning because these bright red berries can be poisonous, so the name helps you remember not to eat them.