Definition

Noun 1. A trailing, evergreen, dwarf shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpon) native to North America: It is a low-growing, vining plant that produces edible red berries. This is the primary and most precise botanical name for the species. 2. The plant that produces the cranberry: This term refers specifically to the cultivated or wild plant species from which the common cranberry fruit is harvested.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bog was densely populated with Vaccinium macrocarpon, their red berries bright against the green moss.
  • Successful cultivation of Vaccinium macrocarpon requires acidic, sandy soil and a consistent water supply.
  • This study compares the antioxidant levels in fruits from different cultivars of Vaccinium macrocarpon.

Advanced Usage

• In Botanical/Horticultural Context: The term is used formally to distinguish this specific species from other related cranberry species (e.g., , the small cranberry). It is the standard binomial nomenclature (genus + species).
  • The research paper focused on the genetic diversity within Vaccinium macrocarpon populations.

Variants and Related Words

• Cranberry (noun): The common name for both the fruit and, informally, the plant itself.
• American Cranberry (noun): Another common name for the plant, specifying its geographic origin.
• Large Cranberry (noun): A descriptive common name, referencing the typically larger fruit size compared to other cranberry species.

Synonyms

• Cranberry vine: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its trailing growth habit.
• American cranberry: A geographic synonym.

Notes on Meaning

• Vaccinium macrocarpon is a scientific, taxonomic term. In everyday language, people almost always use the common name "cranberry plant" or simply "cranberry." The scientific name is primarily used in academic, agricultural, and botanical contexts to ensure precise identification.

Noun

1. trailing red-fruited plant