cucumber tree

noun

1. any of several American magnolias, especially Magnolia acuminata, having ovate leaves, yellowish-green bell-shaped flowers, and dark red, conelike fruit.

2. any of certain other trees, as an East Indian tree of the genus Averrhoa.

cucumber tree

noun

1. any of several American trees or shrubs of the genus Magnolia, esp M. acuminata, of E and central North America, having cup-shaped greenish flowers and cucumber-shaped fruits

2. an E Asian tree, Averrhoa bilimbi, with edible fruits resembling small cucumbers: family Averrhoaceae See also carambola

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber tree¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; so called from the resemblance of its fruit to cucumbers