Coralberries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of small, red or orange fruit from plants in the genus Symphoricarpos, often found in clusters on the shrub
2. These berries grow on deciduous shrubs and are typically characterized by their bright coloration and sweet appearance
3. Known for their decorative value in gardens, these fruits are often seen in clusters and are generally not consumed due to their mild toxicity

Etymology: Coralberries are a plural form, so the key fact is the word they name: "coralberry" is a plain compound of "coral" and "berry". The "coral" refers to the berries' colour, which is the bright red of the marine coral, and that resemblance gives the shrub its name. The berries cluster along the branches in showy bunches, which is why gardeners and hedgerow observers have long found them striking. The plural simply counts more than one of these berries or, more often, more than one shrub. The compound itself needs no special explanation: "coral" describes what the berries look like, and "berry" names the fruit. Their long-standing use as a decorative plant is the most natural reason the name has stayed in common use.