European mountain ash
- noun
- UK
:
serbal europeo
- The berries of the European mountain ash attract many birds during the autumn months.
Examples
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We planted a European mountain ash in our garden for its attractive foliage and fruit.
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In folklore, branches of the European mountain ash were thought to offer protection from evil spirits.
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The European mountain ash is known for its vibrant berries.
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Many birds are attracted to the European mountain ash fruits.
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The berries of the European mountain ash attract many birds during the autumn months.
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We planted a European mountain ash in our garden for its attractive foliage and fruit.
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In folklore, branches of the European mountain ash were thought to offer protection from evil spirits.
Synonyms
1
8.6
A small tree from Europe and Asia with many small leaves and groups of orange-red berries
A European and Asian tree with many small leaflets and clusters of orange-red berries
A small tree with white flowers and red berries that birds eat
A tree with divided leaves, white spring flowers, and red or orange berries that attract birds
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from its parts: 'European' (from Europe) + 'mountain' (associated with mountains) + 'ash' (a type of tree), so a B1 learner who knows those words will infer it denotes a (European) tree called mountain ash. Any botanical nuance (e.g. that Sorbus is not a true Fraxinus ash) is specialist knowledge and does not prevent the basic, literal interpretation.
Etymology
European mountain ash gets its name from how the tree looks and where it grows: its many small leaflets look like a true ash and it often grows on hills, which explains the mountain part, while bright orange berries hang in clusters like small lights. One popular story says people used its branches to 'protect' homes from bad luck, so the strong picture of ash-like leaves and red berries helps you remember the name for this small tree with orange-red berrylike fruit.