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Glite Dictionary
genus Ruscus

genus Ruscus

9.9
A group of evergreen shrubs from Europe with small tough leaves and red berries
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈrʌskəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Ruscus
  • The genus Ruscus includes several species of evergreen shrubs.

Examples

  • Several members of the genus Ruscus are cultivated for their ornamental foliage and berries.

  • The genus Ruscus is well known for species commonly called butcher's broom.

  • Botanists debated whether the genus Ruscus should be placed in the family Asparagaceae.

  • Did you know that the genus Ruscus is often found in Mediterranean regions?

  • Several members of the genus Ruscus are cultivated for their ornamental foliage and berries.

  • Botanists debated whether the genus Ruscus should be placed in the family Asparagaceae.

  • The genus Ruscus is well known for species commonly called butcher's broom.

Synonyms

Ruscus
vsgenus Ruscus
  • Specialized
9.9

An evergreen shrub with tough, sharp leaves and small flowers

focuses on similar shrubs but highlights small tough leaves and red berries

Surface Forms

genus Ruscus singular
genera Ruscus plural

Morphology

genus + Ruscus

The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' denotes a taxonomic rank and 'Ruscus' is the name of the specific group of shrubs, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand it denotes the taxonomic group called Ruscus. Taxonomic naming is a cross-linguistic and predictable pattern, so the meaning is transparent to learners familiar with the component words.

Etymology

Genus Ruscus comes from the old name Ruscus, which may come from the common shrub called 'butcher's broom' with stiff, broom-like branches. People once used those stiff branches in markets and butcher shops to sweep or clean surfaces, so the name now identifies this group of small evergreen shrubs with tough leaves and red berries.