Eugenia corynantha

9.9

A tree from Australia with sour red fruit

noun

Specialized

: Eugenia corynantha

The Eugenia corynantha is known for its distinctively sour red fruits.

Examples

Many birds feed on the fruit of the Eugenia corynantha tree during the summer months.
Researchers studied the ecological impact of Eugenia corynantha in Australian rainforests.
The Eugenia corynantha is known for its sour red fruits.
Have you seen the Eugenia corynantha tree in the park?
The Eugenia corynantha tree produces deliciously tart red fruit that many people enjoy.
Birds often flock to the Eugenia corynantha tree to feast on its sour red berries.
In late summer, the Eugenia corynantha is vibrant with clusters of bright red fruit.

Surface Forms

Eugenia corynantha singular

Eugenia corynanthas plural

Morphology

Eugenia + corynantha

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name: while 'Eugenia' indicates a genus of tropical trees and therefore signals a plant to learners who know that word, the species epithet 'corynantha' is not interpretable by a B1 learner and gives no clear clue to the specific meaning. The specific description 'an Australian tree that bears sour red fruit' cannot be derived from the constituent parts, so the expression is idiomatic/proper-noun-like and not transparently compositional.

Etymology

Eugenia corynantha is the scientific name for a small myrtle tree that bears sour red fruit. The first part, Eugenia, groups it with other myrtle trees and the second part, corynantha, brings to mind tight flower clusters, so you can remember it as a myrtle tree with small clustered flowers and sour red fruit.