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Glite Dictionary
common gum cistus

common gum cistus

9.4
A Mediterranean shrub with white flowers and sticky leaves that produce fragrant sap used in perfume
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : cisto común
  • Perfume makers use the resin from the common gum cistus to create long-lasting fragrances.

Examples

  • In its native habitat, the common gum cistus thrives in dry, rocky soils under the Mediterranean sun.

  • The common gum cistus is prized by gardeners for its attractive white flowers and aromatic resin.

  • The common gum cistus is known for its fragrant resin.

  • Many gardeners love the common gum cistus for its beauty.

  • In its native habitat, the common gum cistus thrives in dry, rocky soils under the Mediterranean sun.

  • Perfume makers use the resin from the common gum cistus to create long-lasting fragrances.

  • The common gum cistus is prized by gardeners for its attractive white flowers and aromatic resin.

Synonyms

Cistus ladanifer
vscommon gum cistus
  • Specialized
9.9

A shrub from the Mediterranean with white flowers and sticky leaves that produce a fragrant resin used in perfume

is the same plant but given a different name in the key
Cistus ladanum
vscommon gum cistus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bush with white flowers and sticky leaves that gives a fragrant resin used to make perfumes last longer

adds Mediterranean origin and botanical identification for greater specificity

Surface Forms

common gum cistus singular
common gum cisti plural

Morphology

common + gum + Cistus

This is a fully compositional noun phrase: 'common' (widespread) + 'gum' (sticky resin) + 'Cistus' (a genus of shrubs), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a cistus shrub that produces a gum/resin and is common. Botanical naming and adjective+noun+noun compounding are regular and cross-linguistically transparent, so the overall meaning is predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Common gum cistus gets its name from the plant's sticky, fragrant resin; gum points to the glue-like sap and cistus is the shrub itself, so the name reminds us of a common shrub used in 'perfume' because of its sticky resin.