genus Leucaena

9.0

A small group of tropical trees and shrubs from the Americas that help soil and give animal food and shade

noun
/ˈdʒɛnəs ljuˈkeɪnə/

Specialized

: género Leucaena

The genus Leucaena includes several fast-growing trees valued for their use as fodder and shade.

Examples

Farmers often plant species from the genus Leucaena to improve soil fertility in tropical regions.
Botanists studied members of the genus Leucaena to understand their nitrogen-fixing properties.
The genus Leucaena includes several species of trees.
Many plants in the genus Leucaena are used for fodder.
Botanists studied members of the genus Leucaena to understand their nitrogen-fixing properties.
Farmers often plant species from the genus Leucaena to improve soil fertility in tropical regions.
The genus Leucaena includes several fast-growing trees valued for their use as fodder and shade.

Synonyms

Leucaena

vsgenus Leucaena

Specialized

9.9

A small tropical tree or shrub with long seed pods used for animal food and to improve soil

is described by its origin in the Americas rather than by human uses

Surface Forms

genus Leucaena singular

genera Leucaena plural

Morphology

genus + Leucaena

The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with 'Leucaena' (the name of a group of tropical trees) directly yields 'the genus named Leucaena'—a category of related species. Taxonomic naming conventions are cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Leucaena is the scientific name for a small group of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs. The word genus means a group of related species, and Leucaena likely comes from an old Greek word for 'white', perhaps because some species have pale flowers or wood. So the name points to a small group of similar trees known today for their seed pods and use as fodder and to improve soil.