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Glite Dictionary
Sequoiadendron giganteum

Sequoiadendron giganteum

9.9
A very large evergreen tree in California that is the largest living plant by size
  • noun
  • /sɪˌkwɔɪəˈdɛndrən dʒɪˈɡæntim/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sequoiadendron giganteum
  • The Sequoiadendron giganteum can grow over 300 feet tall.

Examples

  • The Sequoiadendron giganteum can live for over 3,000 years in its natural habitat.

  • Tourists flock to see the massive trunks of Sequoiadendron giganteum in national parks.

  • Scientists traveled to California to study the ecology of Sequoiadendron giganteum forests.

  • Have you ever seen a Sequoiadendron giganteum in person?

  • The Sequoiadendron giganteum can live for over 3,000 years in its natural habitat.

  • Tourists flock to see the massive trunks of Sequoiadendron giganteum in national parks.

  • Scientists traveled to California to study the ecology of Sequoiadendron giganteum forests.

Synonyms

big tree
vsSequoiadendron giganteum
  • Specialized
3 3.5

A very tall evergreen tree from California, for example a giant sequoia

is the specific species term rather than a casual everyday label
giant sequoia
vsSequoiadendron giganteum
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A very large evergreen tree with a very thick trunk that grows on the Sierra Nevada in California

is the common species description used in general language
Sierra redwood
vsSequoiadendron giganteum
  • Specialized
7.6

A very tall evergreen tree that grows in the Sierra Nevada in California and can live for thousands of years

is broader, covering the full western slopes rather than only the south
Sequoia Wellingtonia
vsSequoiadendron giganteum
  • Specialized
8.9

A very tall tree that stays green and can live for thousands of years

is about trees on the western slopes generally, not only foothill areas
Sequoia gigantea
vsSequoiadendron giganteum
  • Specialized
7.5

An extremely tall evergreen tree from California's Sierra Nevada that is the largest living thing by volume

is the wider name for trees along the western slopes, not just south

Surface Forms

Sequoiadendron giganteum singular
Sequoiadendron giganteums plural
Sequoiadendron gigantea singular

Morphology

Sequoiadendron + giganteum

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet) and, given the provided definitions, a learner who knows 'Sequoiadendron' as a very large tree and recognizes 'giganteum' as relating to 'giant' can compose the meaning as a giant Sequoia (an extremely large tree). Scientific names follow a transparent genus + adjective pattern cross-linguistically, so the overall meaning is derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Sequoiadendron giganteum is a scientific name that gives a simple picture: the first part, Sequoiadendron, comes from the name 'Sequoyah', and the second part, giganteum, means 'giant' in Latin. So the name literally says 'giant sequoia', which helps you remember it is a very tall, very old tree.