Definition

Noun: 1. A South Australian tree having panicles of brilliant scarlet flowers: This is the primary and specific botanical definition. It refers to a particular species of tree native to Australia, known for its showy, bright red flower clusters.

Usage Notes

• This term is a scientific name (a binomial nomenclature) for a specific plant species. It is used in formal, academic, and botanical contexts.
• In everyday conversation, this term is rarely used. People are more likely to refer to this tree by its common name, "Flame Tree" or "Illawarra Flame Tree" (), which is now its more accepted botanical classification.
• The word is treated as a singular noun (e.g., sterculia acerifolia ...).

Examples

• Scientific/Descriptive:
  • The Sterculia acerifolia is noted for its spectacular display of scarlet flowers.
  • Botanists studied the leaf structure of Sterculia acerifolia.

Advanced Usage

• The genus name is derived from Sterculius, the Roman god of manure, referring to the odor of the flowers of some species in this genus.
• The species epithet means "maple-leaved" (from , the maple genus, and , leaves), describing the shape of its leaves.

Variants and Related Words

• Flame Tree (n): The most common English name for this tree.
• Illawarra Flame Tree (n): A more specific common name, referencing the Illawarra region in New South Wales, Australia.
• Brachychiton acerifolius (n): The current, more accurate scientific name for the same tree species. ( is an older synonym).

Synonyms

• Flame Tree
• Illawarra Flame Tree
• (scientific synonym)

Noun

1. south Australian tree having panicles of brilliant scarlet flowers