genus Illicium
- noun
- Specialized
:
género Illicium
- Many spices are derived from species within the genus Illicium, most notably star anise.
Examples
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Some members of the genus Illicium are cultivated both for their fragrance and their ornamental appeal.
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Botanists studied the distinctive aromatic leaves of trees in the genus Illicium.
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The genus Illicium includes several aromatic species.
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Do you know about genus Illicium and its uses?
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Botanists studied the distinctive aromatic leaves of trees in the genus Illicium.
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Many spices are derived from species within the genus Illicium, most notably star anise.
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Some members of the genus Illicium are cultivated both for their fragrance and their ornamental appeal.
Synonyms
1
9.9
An evergreen tree or small bush with fragrant leaves and star-shaped fruit used as a spice
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase simply combines the taxonomic word 'genus' (a rank grouping related species) with the taxon name 'Illicium' (the evergreen plants), so its meaning as the taxonomic group of Illicium species is directly derivable from the parts. This rank+name composition is a standard, cross-linguistic naming pattern, making the expression immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Genus Illicium may come from a Latin verb meaning 'to entice', because species like star anise have a strong, sweet smell that seems to draw people in. That's why the name fits these fragrant evergreen trees.