vinegar tree

9.9

A North American shrub or small tree with groups of bright red berries

noun
/ˈvɪnɪɡər tri/

: vinagrera

Birds are often attracted to the crimson berries of the vinegar tree.

Examples

Native Americans used the berries of the vinegar tree to make a refreshing drink.
The vinegar tree is known for its brilliant red foliage in the fall.
The vinegar tree is known for its bright red berries.
Have you ever seen a vinegar tree in bloom?
Birds are often attracted to the crimson berries of the vinegar tree.
Native Americans used the berries of the vinegar tree to make a refreshing drink.
The vinegar tree is known for its brilliant red foliage in the fall.

Synonyms

Rhus typhina

vsvinegar tree

Specialized

9.9

A small tree or shrub that loses leaves in autumn and has bright red leaves and red berries

is a common or alternative everyday name rather than the scientific label

staghorn sumac

vsvinegar tree

Specialized

8.5

A small tree or large bush with bright red leaves and sour red berries in autumn

is a briefer description focusing mainly on the red berry clusters

Surface Forms

vinegar tree singular

vinegar trees plural

Morphology

vinegar + tree

The noun 'vinegar tree' transparently combines 'vinegar' and 'tree', so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer it denotes a tree associated with vinegar (e.g., bearing sour/red berries or used to make a sour condiment). However, the precise species identity and specific features (staghorn sumac with compound leaves and clusters of red berries) are not fully predictable from the constituents, so the relation is only partially inferable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Vinegar tree The name vinegar tree comes from the sour drink people made from its bright red berries. People soaked the berries and made a liquid that tasted like vinegar, so the tree was named for that drink.