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 bloomed with watch-over flowers courtesy of Mama, and its branches held tiny protection lanterns that checkered her bed with light.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

The dreamy memories washed over her: the sound of her godmother's voice waking the bottle tree with her song, Southern tree, find the breeze.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton