Jamaica dogwood
- noun
- US
:
madera de perro de Jamaica
- Traditional fishermen used the bark of the Jamaica dogwood to stun fish in the rivers.
Examples
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The Jamaica dogwood is often planted for its attractive flowers and unusual seedpods.
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Bees are attracted to the sweet-smelling blooms of the Jamaica dogwood during spring.
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The Jamaica dogwood tree thrives in tropical climates.
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Many gardeners appreciate the beauty of the Jamaica dogwood.
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Fishermen in the Caribbean have long relied on the bark of the Jamaica dogwood as a natural way to stun fish for easier capture.
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The vibrant flowers of the Jamaica dogwood attract numerous pollinators and are a highlight of any tropical garden.
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In addition to its use as fish poison, the Jamaica dogwood is valued for its sturdy wood and beautiful leaves.
Synonyms
A small Caribbean and Florida tree with divided leaves, purple flowers, and seedpods used to stun fish
A small tree from the Caribbean and Florida with red-striped flowers and winged seedpods used to make fish poison
A small tree from the Caribbean and Florida with curly winged seedpods used to poison fish
Surface Forms
Morphology
The headword is a place-name + common-noun compound where 'Jamaica' modifies 'dogwood', so the basic meaning 'a kind/variety of dogwood associated with Jamaica' is directly derivable from the constituents. While detailed botanical properties (e.g., use as fish poison) are extra, a B1 learner who knows both words will understand it denotes a type of dogwood, a cross-linguistically common and transparent construction.
Etymology
Jamaica dogwood is named for where it grows and for its type: it is a tree from Jamaica whose wood looks like other dogwood trees. Local people used its bark to stun fish, so the name also reminds us of its use as a 'fish poison'.
