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Glite Dictionary
genus Erythroxylum

genus Erythroxylum

9.9
A group of South American bushes and small trees that includes the coca bush
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˌɛrɪˈθrɒksɪləm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Erythroxylum
  • The coca bush, an important plant for indigenous cultures, belongs to the genus Erythroxylum.

Examples

  • Botanists identified several new species within the genus Erythroxylum in the Amazon region.

  • The genus Erythroxylum contains several species used for medicinal purposes.

  • Research into the genus Erythroxylum has expanded our understanding of alkaloid production in plants.

  • Did you know that the genus Erythroxylum includes the coca plant?

  • The coca bush is a well-known member of the genus Erythroxylum, valued for its leaves.

  • Researchers have discovered multiple species within the genus Erythroxylum that have unique properties.

  • The genus Erythroxylum is significant for its contribution to traditional medicine in South America.

Synonyms

Erythroxylum
vsgenus Erythroxylum
  • NSFW
9.9

A group of South American small trees and shrubs including the coca plant

is the same meaning but uses the formal taxonomic label

Surface Forms

genus Erythroxylum singular
genera Erythroxylum plural

Morphology

genus + Erythroxylum

The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' indicates a biological rank and 'Erythroxylum' is the taxon name, so together they mean 'the genus called Erythroxylum' (a group of related species). This taxonomic naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Genus Erythroxylum may come from ancient Greek: erythro- meaning 'red' and -xylum meaning 'wood', because some plants in the group have reddish stems or wood. That's why the name fits this group of plants, which includes the coca bush.