Definition

Noun 1. A rare small evergreen tree of northern Florida: This term refers to a specific, uncommon tree species native to a limited region. Its key identifying feature is that its glossy green leaves emit a very strong, unpleasant odor when crushed or bruised.

Usage Notes

• This is a highly specific botanical term, not a general or common word.
• It is primarily used in formal or scientific contexts related to botany, horticulture, or the ecology of the southeastern United States.
• The name is descriptive, combining "stinking" (for the smell) and "cedar" (likely for its appearance, though it is not a true cedar).

Examples

• The stinking cedar is considered a rare and endemic species.
• Botanists study the unique habitat of the stinking cedar in Florida's ravines.
• A key characteristic of the stinking cedar is the foul odor released from its crushed foliage.

Advanced Usage

• The term may appear in scientific classifications or field guides as a common name for the species .

Variants and Related Words

• Florida torreya (n): The more formal, scientific common name for the same tree species ().
• Gopherwood: Another historical common name for this tree.
• Gymnosperm (n): The major plant division to which this tree belongs (plants with "naked seeds," like conifers).

Synonyms

• Florida torreya
• Gopherwood (historical)

Antonyms

• There are no direct antonyms for a specific tree species. In a descriptive sense, one could contrast it with fragrant cedar or aromatic evergreen.

Notes on Meaning

This term has only one specific meaning: it is the common name for a particular rare evergreen tree (Torreya taxifolia). The name itself is a direct description of its notable property (unpleasant smell) and its general appearance (cedar-like).

Noun

1. rare small evergreen of northern Florida; its glossy green leaves have an unpleasant fetid smell when crushed