Picea sitchensis

9.9

A large evergreen tree from northwest North America with sharp needles and light wood used to make instruments

noun
/ˈpaɪsiə sɪtʃˈɛnsɪs/

Specialized

: Picea sitchensis

The wood of the Picea sitchensis is prized for building musical instruments such as guitars and pianos.

Examples

The needles of Picea sitchensis are very sharp and stiff, distinguishing it from other spruces.
Many forests in Alaska and British Columbia are dominated by Picea sitchensis trees.
The Picea sitchensis is known for its tall stature.
Many builders prefer Picea sitchensis for its lightweight wood.
Many forests in Alaska and British Columbia are dominated by Picea sitchensis trees.
The needles of Picea sitchensis are very sharp and stiff, distinguishing it from other spruces.
The wood of the Picea sitchensis is prized for building musical instruments such as guitars and pianos.

Synonyms

Sitka spruce

vsPicea sitchensis

1 7.4

A large evergreen tree from the northwest coast of North America with sharp needles and light strong wood

is the formal Latin scientific name used in botanical contexts

Surface Forms

Picea sitchensis singular

Picea sitchenses plural

Morphology

Picea + sitchensis

The genus name 'Picea' directly signals that this is a spruce (a type of tree), so a learner who knows that term can infer it is a kind of spruce. The species epithet 'sitchensis' is not a common English word (and is a Latin-form name meaning ‘from Sitka’), so the specific reference and properties are not derivable by a B1 learner without exposure to taxonomic naming; therefore the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Picea sitchensis is a scientific name that combines Picea, a Latin word for 'spruce', and sitchensis, meaning 'from Sitka', the coastal part of Alaska where this tree grows. So, the name points to the Sitka spruce, a large evergreen with sharp needles and light, strong wood.