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Glite Dictionary
Prunus pensylvanica

Prunus pensylvanica

9.9
A small bushy wild cherry tree with bright red sour fruit
  • noun
  • /ˈpruːnəs ˌpɛnslˈveɪnɪkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cerezo pin
  • The Prunus pensylvanica tree produces small, bright red cherries that are known for their tart flavor.

Examples

  • The forest undergrowth was dotted with Prunus pensylvanica, adding flashes of red to the landscape.

  • Gardeners value Prunus pensylvanica for its hardiness and its role in restoring disturbed soils.

  • Ecologists often study Prunus pensylvanica because its fruit supports a wide range of wildlife.

  • Look at the Prunus pensylvanica!

  • The Prunus pensylvanica is often found in open woods.

  • Many birds and insects rely on the fruit of the Prunus pensylvanica for food during the summer months.

  • In the spring, the Prunus pensylvanica blooms with delicate white flowers before producing its characteristic red fruit.

Synonyms

pin cherry
vsPrunus pensylvanica
  • US
8.5

A small tree or bush with bright red sour fruit

is the scientific Latin name used in formal botanical contexts

Surface Forms

Prunus pensylvanica singular
Prunus pensylvanicas plural

Morphology

Prunus + pensylvanica

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name). Even if a learner knows 'Prunus' as a genus of trees, the specific epithet 'pensylvanica' is specialized/unknown and the detailed common meaning (pin cherry; small shrubby wild cherry with bright red acidic fruit) cannot be derived from the parts. Scientific species names function as arbitrary labels rather than compositional phrases, so the meaning is not transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Prunus pensylvanica comes from Prunus, the Latin word for a 'cherry', and pensylvanica, meaning 'from Pennsylvania'. So the name helps you picture a small North American wild cherry tree with bright red fruit.