trailing arbutus

noun

: arbutus sense 2

Examples of trailing arbutus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flower: Wood violet The wood violet was chosen in 1908 when Wisconsin schoolchildren nominated four candidates: the wood violet, the wild rose, the trailing arbutus and the white water lily. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2023

Kettering had long been impressed by the way that leaves of the trailing arbutus plant could turn red even when covered by a layer of snow, somehow capturing the energy of the sun’s rays more effectively than other plants. —Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trailing arbutus

noun

: a trailing plant of eastern North America that belongs to the heath family and produces fragrant pink or white flowers in early spring

called also arbutus