Definition

Adjective: 1. Bearing or producing small fruit: Describes a plant, tree, or cultivar whose characteristic is to produce fruit that is notably small in size.

Usage

This is a descriptive botanical term used to classify or identify specific varieties of plants based on the size of the fruit they yield. It is typically used attributively before a noun. - The small-fruited crabapple tree is popular for ornamental gardens. - This small-fruited cultivar of cucumber is ideal for pickling.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often part of a plant's common or botanical name to distinguish it from other varieties.
  • Sorbus aucuparia 'Small-fruited Rowan'
  • The small-fruited form of the native hawthorn.

Variants and Related Words

• Small-fruit: (Noun, less common) A general term for fruit of a small size.
• Large-fruited: (Adjective) The direct antonym, meaning bearing large fruit.

Synonyms

• Microcarpic (technical/botanical)
• Microcarpous (technical/botanical)

Antonyms

• Large-fruited
• Macrocarpic (technical/botanical)

Adjective

1. bearing small fruit