Definition

A type of shrub that has peeling bark and produces clusters of small white flowers, commonly found in eastern North America.

Example

The garden was filled with beautiful ninebark shrubs, showcasing their unique peeling bark and lovely flowers.

Conversation

Have you seen my new plant?

No, what did you get?

It's a ninebark, and it's blooming beautifully!

That sounds lovely! I can't wait to see it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ninebark is derived from the combination of 'nine' (from Old English 'nigon', meaning the number 9) and 'bark' (from Old English 'beorc', meaning the outer covering of a tree). The word refers to a type of shrub known for its multiple layers of bark, which can appear in various colors, often resembling the number nine in its layered appearance.

Memory Tip

Think of the number 'nine' representing the multiple layers of 'bark' on this shrub, which helps you remember that 'ninebark' refers to a plant with many layers of bark.

Visually Confused Words