aucuba

American  

[aw-kyuh-buh] / ˈɔ kyə bə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of aucuba

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

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of drawing upon the great wealth of shrubs available, so many go on using the same old things over and over again, generally Aucuba, Portugal and Cherry Laurels, Rhododendron ponticum, and such like.

From Project Gutenberg