hog cranberry
- noun
- /hɔg ˈkrænˌbɛri/
- UK
- The hog cranberry carpets the forest floor with its glossy green leaves and red berries.
Examples
-
In autumn, the leaves of the hog cranberry turn a brilliant shade of crimson.
-
Wildlife often feed on the berries of the hog cranberry throughout the colder months.
-
The hog cranberry is often found in northern forests.
-
I saw a beautiful hog cranberry during my hike.
-
In autumn, the leaves of the hog cranberry turn a brilliant shade of crimson.
-
The hog cranberry carpets the forest floor with its glossy green leaves and red berries.
-
Wildlife often feed on the berries of the hog cranberry throughout the colder months.
Synonyms
A low, spreading bush with small white flowers, red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
A low plant that stays green all year with small white flowers and red berries
A low evergreen shrub with small white flowers, red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
An evergreen low bush with small white flowers, red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
A low bush that stays green all year and has small white flowers and red berries
An evergreen low shrub with small white flowers, red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
A low evergreen shrub with small white flowers, bright red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
A low evergreen plant with small white flowers and red berries found in northern regions
A low evergreen bush with small white flowers, red berries, and leaves that turn red in autumn
A low evergreen shrub from North America and Eurasia with small white flowers and red berries
Surface Forms
Morphology
hog + cranberry
This is a noun–noun compound where 'cranberry' names the plant and 'hog' functions as a modifier indicating a variety; a B1 learner who knows both words will reasonably infer that it is a type of cranberry/cranberry-like shrub. Although the specific botanical features (evergreen, mat-forming) are not predictable from the parts, the basic category-level meaning is compositional and follows common compound-naming patterns.
Etymology
The plant name hog cranberry may come from farmers seeing pigs eat the bright, sour berries. That's why the name joins hog ('a pig') and cranberry ('a tart red berry') and helps you remember the low bush with red fruit.