wax myrtle
1
7.9
- noun
- /wæks ˈmɜːrtəl/
- US
:
mirto de cera
- Bald cypress and swamp tupelo are the larger trees; shorter trees and shrubs include dahoon holly and wax myrtle.
- red wax myrtle
Examples
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In previous years, the wax myrtles' abundant berries have lasted well into spring.
Blog text (34) -
Wax myrtle is the most common shrub, but bladderpod thrives in disturbed areas.
Academic text (2010) -
Sweet fern, despite its name and fern-like foliage, is actually a flowering plant in the wax myrtle family.
Academic text (2011) -
Common hackberry, groundsel tree, red maple, southern wax myrtle, and sweetbay are common woody plants.
Academic text (2010) -
A scattering of blackjack oak, common persimmon, eastern red cedar, southern red oak, southern wax myrtle, and Virginia pine may be seen along a dune.
Academic text (2010) -
The garden is blooming with several plants, including a beautiful wax myrtle that has aromatic leaves.
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In her landscaping design, she chose a wax myrtle for its lush greenery and waxy berries.
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The wax myrtle is known for attracting birds with its small berries during the fall.
Synonyms
An evergreen shrub or small tree with waxy white berries used to make candles
An evergreen shrub or small tree with a strong smell and berries covered in white wax used to make candles
A small tree or shrub with scented leaves and berries used to make wax, like bayberry
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning ('a myrtle with a waxy coating') is directly inferable from combining 'wax' (a coating or substance) with 'myrtle' (the shrub); it's a descriptive noun–noun compound naming a type of myrtle. This compositional, descriptive pattern is common and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Wax myrtle gets its name from the plant's small berries that are covered in a waxy coat. People long ago used that wax to make 'candles', so the shrub, a type of myrtle, came to be called wax myrtle.