bottle tree

American  

noun

1. any of several trees of the genus Brachychiton, native to Australia, characterized by a bottle-shaped swelling of the trunk, as B. rupestris narrow-leaved bottle tree or B. australis broad-leaved bottle tree.

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bottle tree British  

noun

1. any of several Australian sterculiaceous trees of the genus Sterculia (or Brachychiton ) that have a bottle-shaped swollen trunk

2. another name for baobab

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Etymology

Origin of bottle tree

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

I would “NOT go at night,” wrote the author of the submission, but the hilltop near the bottle tree is safe.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2018

Around the corner is a house painted blue, a field of collards, and a bottle tree.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2017

It was twice as big, and her bottle tree stretched out to fill the open space.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

The bottle tree glinted in the morning light, casting shadows on her quilt.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Ella ducked behind the trunk of her bottle tree, eager to avoid being hit by a flying object.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton