American mountain ash

7.2

A North American tree with leaves made of several small sections and clusters of bright red berries

noun
/əˈmɛrɪkən ˈmaʊntən æʃ/

: serbal americano

The American mountain ash is known for its vibrant red berries that brighten autumn forests.

Examples

We planted an American mountain ash in our garden to add year-round interest and support local wildlife.
Birds are attracted to the berries of the American mountain ash during the fall and winter months.
The American mountain ash is known for its vibrant red berries.
Many birds are attracted to the American mountain ash during winter.
Birds are attracted to the berries of the American mountain ash during the fall and winter months.
The American mountain ash is known for its vibrant red berries that brighten autumn forests.
We planted an American mountain ash in our garden to add year-round interest and support local wildlife.

Synonyms

Sorbus americana

vsAmerican mountain ash

Specialized

9.6

A small tree with divided leaves and clusters of bright red berries from eastern North America

is the common English name used for that species rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

American mountain ash singular

American mountain ashes plural

Morphology

American + mountain + ash

The phrase is compositional: 'ash' names a type of tree, 'mountain' specifies the variety (mountain ash) and 'American' indicates geographic origin. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words can readily infer it denotes a mountain-ash tree from America, so the meaning is transparent.

Etymology

American mountain ash may come from two simple facts: the tree often grows high on mountains and its leaves look like those of the ash tree, so people called it 'mountain ash'. Today the name means the American tree with clusters of bright red 'berries'.