genus Arbutus

9.8

A group of evergreen trees and shrubs like the strawberry tree that grow in southern Europe and western North America

noun
/ˈdʒɛnəs ˈɑːrbjʊtəs/

Specialized

: género Arbutus

The genus Arbutus includes both the strawberry tree and several species native to North America.

Examples

Several members of the genus Arbutus are valued in landscaping for their colorful bark and evergreen leaves.
Botanists often study the genus Arbutus for its attractive flowers and fruit.
The genus Arbutus includes many beautiful species.
Did you know that the genus Arbutus is native to North America?
Botanists often study the genus Arbutus for its attractive flowers and fruit.
Several members of the genus Arbutus are valued in landscaping for their colorful bark and evergreen leaves.
The genus Arbutus includes both the strawberry tree and several species native to North America.

Surface Forms

genus Arbutus singular

genera Arbutus plural

Morphology

genus + arbutus

This is a fully compositional taxonomic label: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with 'Arbutus' (a plant name) yields the meaning 'the genus named Arbutus' or the group of Arbutus species. The structure is literal and follows standard cross-linguistic scientific naming conventions, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Arbutus comes from Latin Arbutus, the old name for the 'strawberry tree'. That tree has evergreen leaves and red, bumpy fruit that look like strawberries, so the words genus and Arbutus name the group of trees and shrubs that share that look.