aucuba

[aw-kyuh-buh]

noun

1. any shrub of the genus Aucuba, native to Asia, having evergreen leaves, clusters of purple flowers, and brightly colored berries.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aucuba¹

1783; < New Latin, apparently < Japanese a ( w ) o-ku being green + -ba combining form of ha leaf (earlier fa, *pa ); compare the Japanese name for the shrub ao-ki < a ( w ) o green + ki ( y ) tree (earlier *koi )

Example Sentences

Various oaks descend within a few hundred feet of the sea-level, increasing in numbers at greater altitudes, and becoming very frequent at 4000 ft., at which elevation also appear Aucuba, Magnolia, cherries, Pyrus, maple, alder and birch, with many Araliaceae, Hollb�llea, Skimmia, Daphne, Myrsine, Symplocos and Rubus.

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From the opposite quarter an influx of Japanese and Chinese forms, such as the rhododendrons, the tea plant, Aucuba, Helwingia, Skimmia, Adamia, Goughia and others, has taken place, these being more numerous in the east and gradually disappearing in the west.

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A conspicuous example of a dioecious plant is the common aucuba, of which for years only the female plant was known in Britain.

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Branches of the spotted Aucuba do very well by themselves, and are specially beautiful in blue china; the larger the leaves and the bolder the markings, the better.

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No variegated shrub, probably, is more universally grown than the Aucuba, and it has excellent points; it is hardy in constitution, handsome in outline, and bold of leaf.

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