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Catalina cherry

Catalina cherry

7.8
An evergreen shrub or small tree from Catalina Island that produces small dark red edible fruit
  • noun
  • /ˌkætəˈliːnə ˈtʃɛri/
  • US
translation icon : cereza de Catalina
  • The Catalina cherry produces small, dark fruit that attract many birds on the island.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the population of Catalina cherry on Santa Catalina Island to monitor its conservation status.

  • Gardeners appreciate the Catalina cherry for its drought resistance and glossy leaves.

  • The Catalina cherry tree grows well in coastal areas.

  • I love the taste of Catalina cherries in summer.

  • The Catalina cherry produces small, dark fruit that attract many birds on the island.

  • I love the taste of Catalina cherries in summer.

  • Researchers studied the population of Catalina cherry on Santa Catalina Island to monitor its conservation status.

Synonyms

Prunus ilicifolia
vsCatalina cherry
  • Specialized
9.9

An evergreen bush or small tree with spiny thick leaves and edible fruit like a small plum

is native to Catalina Island and known for dark red edible fruit
holly-leaf cherry
vsCatalina cherry
  • US
8.7

A small evergreen shrub or tree with spiny leaves and white flowers

is tied to Catalina Island and bears dark red edible fruit
holly-leaved cherry
vsCatalina cherry
  • US
9.8

An evergreen shrub or small tree with spiny leathery leaves and white flowers from California

is tied to Catalina Island and bears dark red edible fruit
Prunus lyonii
vsCatalina cherry
  • Specialized
9.9

An evergreen shrub or small tree from Catalina Island with clusters of white flowers and dark purple fruit

is known for dark red fruit rather than dark purple ones

Surface Forms

Morphology

Catalina + cherry

The compound is formed by a place-name modifier + a common noun, so a learner who knows 'Catalina' (the place) and 'cherry' (the fruit/tree) will readily infer it denotes a kind/variety of cherry associated with Catalina. This compositional place-name + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common, so the basic meaning is transparent even if specialized botanical details (evergreen shrub) require extra knowledge.

Etymology

Catalina cherry comes from Santa Catalina Island and the wild cherry that grows there. It literally means 'a cherry from Catalina', so today the name refers to the small evergreen tree with dark red fruit found on the island.