China Tree (Noun)
Meaning 1
Tree of northern India and China having purple blossoms and small inedible yellow fruits; naturalized in the southern United States as a shade tree.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
- Chinaberry
- Persian Lilac
- Chinaberry Tree
- Melia Azederach
- Azedarach
- Melia Azedarach
- Pride-of-India
- Azederach
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Evergreen of tropical America having pulpy fruit containing saponin which was used as soap by Native Americans.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The chinquapin and the soapberry, which resemble a china tree, both contain a mild detergent.
- Historians recorded the many uses of the china tree's pulp as soap.
- Scientists investigated the toxic compounds within the saponin-based sap of the china tree.
- Their survival skills taught them which fruit-bearing plants like the china tree provided nourishment and practical utility.
- We trekked miles in the scorching jungle until finally locating a large grove of wild china trees amidst tall cedar trees.