Definition

Noun: 1. An ornamental plant of the genus Abutilon: A flowering plant, typically grown for decoration, whose leaves are shaped similarly to those of a maple tree. It is not a true maple tree (genus Acer).

Usage Notes

• "Flowering maple" is a common name, not a scientific one. It refers to specific plants within the genus .
• It is used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• This term specifically describes the plant's ornamental use and the visual characteristic of its foliage.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The conservatory had a beautiful flowering maple with orange bell-shaped flowers.
  • She added two new flowering maples to her collection of patio plants.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can be used adjectivally to describe related concepts.
  • The flowering maple variety 'Bella Red' is particularly popular.

Variants and Related Words

• Abutilon (n): The botanical genus name for these plants, which is often used interchangeably in gardening contexts.
• Chinese lantern (n): A common name for some species within the genus, referring to the shape of the flower buds or seed pods.
• Indian mallow (n): Another common name for plants in the genus.

Synonyms

• Abutilon (n, botanical term)
• Parlor maple (n, less common common name)

Notes on Different Meanings

• This is a compound noun with a fixed meaning. It does not refer to a maple tree that is flowering. The "flowering" part describes the plant's primary ornamental feature (its flowers), while "maple" describes the leaf shape. True maple trees belong to the genus .

Noun

1. an ornamental plant of the genus Abutilon having leaves that resemble maple leaves