pigeon berry
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A perennial plant: "Pigeon berry" is the common name for a tall, coarse perennial herb native to America. It is characterized by small white flowers that develop into blackish-red berries hanging on long, drooping clusters (racemes). While the young fleshy stems are edible, the berries and root of the plant are poisonous.
Usage Notes
- "Pigeon berry" is primarily used as a common name for a specific plant species (), which is more widely known as pokeweed.
- It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
- The name likely originates from the fact that birds, such as pigeons, eat the berries.
Examples
- Noun:
- The field was overgrown with pigeon berry, its drooping racemes heavy with dark berries.
- Foragers must be careful to correctly identify pigeon berry, as its toxic parts can be dangerous.
- Despite its poisonous berries, pigeon berry has historically been used for its edible young shoots.
Advanced Usage
- As a subject of botanical description: The term is used in botanical or foraging contexts to describe the plant's identifying features.
- The key identifiers for pigeon berry are its red stems, long drooping fruit clusters, and dark purple berries.
Variants and Related Words
- Pokeweed (n): The most common synonym for "pigeon berry."
- Inkberry (n): Another regional common name for the same plant, referring to the historical use of its berry juice as ink.
- American pokeweed (n): The full botanical common name.
Synonyms
- Pokeweed
- Inkberry
- American pokeweed
- (scientific name)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use "pigeon berry." It is a straightforward botanical term.
Noun
- tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous