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single-leaf pine

single-leaf pine

8.1
A pine tree with one needle in each cluster that makes edible seeds
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪŋɡəl liːf paɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pino de hoja única
  • Unlike other pines, the single-leaf pine has only one needle per bundle.

Examples

  • Native Americans have long collected seeds from the single-leaf pine for food.

  • The single-leaf pine thrives in dry regions and provides an important food source for wildlife.

  • The single-leaf pine grows in arid regions.

  • I saw a single-leaf pine on my hike.

  • Native Americans have long collected seeds from the single-leaf pine for food.

  • The single-leaf pine thrives in dry regions and provides an important food source for wildlife.

  • Unlike other pines, the single-leaf pine has only one needle per bundle.

Synonyms

Pinus monophylla
vssingle-leaf pine
  • Specialized
9.3

A pine tree with single needles that makes edible nuts

is the common English name rather than the scientific label
single-leaf pinyon
vssingle-leaf pine
  • Specialized
7.9

A small pine tree with one needle in each group and edible nuts, native to the United States southwest

is the broader common name not limited to that variety
single-leaf
vssingle-leaf pine
  • Specialized
9.9

A pine tree with one needle per bundle that makes nuts people eat

is the fuller descriptive name rather than the short local form

Surface Forms

Morphology

single-leaf + pine

The phrase denotes a pine tree that has single leaves/needles; this meaning is directly compositional from 'single' + 'leaf' modifying 'pine'. Although 'single-leaf' is not listed as a headword, the adjective+noun structure is transparent and follows common descriptive patterns, so a B1 learner who knows 'single', 'leaf', and 'pine' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Single-leaf pine names a small pine that really has only one needle in each bundle, so the parts single-leaf (one needle) and pine (the tree) give a clear picture. People in the dry American southwest long collected its tasty 'piñon' or 'edible seeds', so the name also helps you remember the tree for its useful seeds.