boojum tree
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈbuːdʒəm triː/
- US
:
árbol boojum
- During our trip to Baja California, we saw several boojum trees blooming in the desert.
Examples
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The boojum tree is easily recognized by its tall, spiny trunk and sparse branches.
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Botanists are fascinated by the unusual structure of the boojum tree.
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The boojum tree is a unique species found in Mexico.
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Many tourists are fascinated by the boojum trees in the desert.
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The boojum tree is renowned for its unique shape and stunning yellow flowers.
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In the desert, the towering boojum tree stands out against the blue sky.
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Visitors to Mexico often take photos of the impressive boojum trees in the region.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A tall spiny desert tree from Baja California with a thin column-like trunk
A tall column-shaped plant from Mexico with creamy yellow flowers that smell like honey
A tall plant with long upright stems and creamy yellow flowers that smell like honey
A tall desert tree with creamy yellow flowers that smell like honey
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward noun+noun compound: 'boojum' names a particular plant species and 'tree' denotes a tall perennial plant, so the combined meaning is simply 'a tree of the boojum species.' This compositional, species-labeling pattern is cross-linguistically common and would be understandable to a B1 learner who already knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Boojum tree may get its name from a strange creature called Boojum in the poem 'The Hunting of the Snark'; early explorers thought the tree's tall, odd shape looked like that creature. That's why the name boojum tree gives a quick image of a weird, tall desert tree.