Chrysolepis

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A group of evergreen trees and shrubs from western North America, like the golden chinkapin

noun
/ˌkraɪsəˈlɛpɪs/

Specialized

: Chrysolepis

The Chrysolepis genus includes the golden chinkapin, a tree valued for its hard wood.

Examples

Both species in the Chrysolepis genus display evergreen leaves and golden-hued nuts.
Scientists studied the distribution of Chrysolepis in the mountainous regions of California.
The Chrysolepis trees are beautiful in the fall.
I saw a Chrysolepis in the botanical garden.
The Chrysolepis trees are known for their distinctive golden nuts and vibrant green foliage.
Researchers found that Chrysolepis species thrive in diverse habitats across western North America.
In the park, the Chrysolepis shrubs provided a lush, evergreen landscape year-round.

Compounds

Chrysolepis sempervirens

Specialized

1 9.9

An evergreen shrub that grows on California mountain slopes and needs little water

Chrysolepis chrysophylla

Specialized

9.9

A small evergreen tree from the Pacific Coast with shiny yellow green leaves and edible nuts

Quercus chrysolepis

Specialized

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A medium-sized evergreen oak tree with thick leaves that often have spiny edges

Surface Forms

Chrysolepis singular

Chrysolepises plural

Etymology

The word Chrysolepis comes from Greek parts chryso- meaning 'gold' and -lepis meaning 'scale' or 'thin plate', like a fish scale. It was used for these evergreen trees because of their shiny, golden-looking parts, such as the golden-hued nuts or pale leaf undersides, so the name helps you remember them as 'golden-scaled' trees.