partridgeberry
partridgeberry Lexical Profile
partridgeberry Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A creeping evergreen woodland herb (Mitchella repens) of the family Rubiaceae, native to eastern North America, cultivated as an ornamental groundcover for its glossy rounded leaves and fragrant pairs of white or pale pink funnel-shaped flowers that fuse at the base.
"The shaded forest floor was carpeted with partridgeberry, displaying delicate pairs of white blossoms in early summer."
North American The bright scarlet, edible berry-like fruit produced by the creeping herb Mitchella repens, or in Newfoundland and Labrador, the tart red berry of the lingonberry shrub (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), prized for making jams, jellies, and sauces.
"In autumn, foragers gather tart red partridgeberries from the coastal barrens to make traditional preserves."
Word Nuance & Usage
In eastern North America, "partridgeberry" usually refers to the creeping woodland herb Mitchella repens, whereas in Newfoundland and Labrador it is the common regional name for the lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea).
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.