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

US secret service agents stood outside, under the red flame trees of the school grounds.

From BBC

In this high-desert city, Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old black man, was found hanging from a Chinese flame tree outside city hall in early June.

From Washington Post

The flame trees blaze with vermilion flowers, and the frangipani’s fragrance is at its most intense in May, before the monsoons move in.

From New York Times

One afternoon, Harrison came up to the flame tree carrying the radio turned up high to Radio Biafra.

From Literature