flame tree

American  

noun

1. either of two trees, Brachychiton acerifolius or B. australis, native to Australia, having clusters of bright scarlet flowers.

2. royal poinciana.

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flame tree British  

noun

1. any of various tropical trees with red or orange flowers, such as flame-of-the-forest

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Etymology

Origin of flame tree

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Five species are available: Western sycamore, Chinese flame tree, California pepper, pink trumpet tree and pink dawn chitalpa.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

So every day she taught them under the flame tree, away from the horrible smells toward the back of the buildings.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

He sat under the flame tree and wrote in small careful letters on the sides of old newspapers, on some paper Kainene had done supply calculations on, on the back of an old calendar.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Richard saw Ugwu under the flame tree, writing on a piece of paper.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Ghosts like burnished branches on a flame tree.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat