Definition

Noun: 1. A small tree or shrub, specifically a cultivated variety of crab apple, prized for its ornamental and showy blossoms. * This definition refers to a type of small tree, often a cultivar, that is primarily grown for its decorative flowers rather than its fruit.

Usage

The term "flowering crab" is used to specify a crab apple tree whose primary ornamental value is its springtime bloom. It distinguishes these trees from other crab apples that might be grown primarily for fruit or other characteristics. * The park's entrance is lined with beautiful flowering crabs that bloom every April. * We planted a flowering crab in the backyard to add some spring color.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe other nouns related to the tree.
  • The flowering crab blossoms filled the air with a sweet scent.
  • They admired the flowering crab variety called 'Prairifire'.

Variants and Related Words

• Crab apple / Crabapple: The general term for trees in the genus . Not all crab apples are specifically "flowering crabs," as some are grown for fruit.
• Ornamental crab (apple): A near-synonymous phrase also used for cultivars grown for decorative purposes.

Synonyms

• Ornamental crab apple
• Flowering crabapple

Different Meanings

• The term "flowering crab" almost exclusively refers to the ornamental tree. It is not typically used to describe the state of a regular crab apple tree being in bloom (e.g., one would not say "The crab apple is flowering crab").

Related Phrases/Idioms

• : This common phrase is often used to describe the peak flowering period of these and other ornamental trees.
  • The flowering crab on the corner is in full bloom this week.

Noun

1. small tree or shrub of southeastern United States; cultivated as an ornamental for its rose-colored blossoms
2. derived from the Iowa crab and cultivated for its large double pink blossoms