franklinia

[frangk-lin-ee-uh]

noun

1. a shrub or small tree, Franklinia alatamaha, of the tea family, originally native to the SE U.S. and now found only in cultivation, having glossy leaves and large, solitary white flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of franklinia¹

< New Latin; named in honor of B. Franklin; -ia

Example Sentences

Despite the fact that it’s extinct, you could reasonably venture upon Franklinia alatamaha.

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In a lucky twist, the younger Mr. Bartram returned a few years later to collect seeds and cuttings, and brought them to Philadelphia where the first cultivated Franklinia tree bloomed in 1781.

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Today, any Franklinia trees you might encounter in cemeteries, gardens and parks are descendants of Mr. Bartram’s cultivations.

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Considered “extinct in the wild,” the Franklinia tree — along with six other plants listed in the recent study — now exists only in cultivated spaces such as arboretums or botanical gardens.

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Like the Franklinia tree, the Franciscan Manzanita is now considered extinct in the wild.

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