paulownia

American  

[paw-loh-nee-uh] / pɔˈloʊ ni ə /

noun

1. a Japanese tree, Paulownia tomentosa, of the bignonia family, having showy clusters of pale-violet or blue flowers blossoming in early spring.

2. any other tree of the genus Paulownia.

---

paulownia British  

/ pɔːˈləʊnɪə /

noun

1. any scrophulariaceous tree of the Japanese genus Paulownia, esp P. tomentosa, having large heart-shaped leaves and clusters of purplish or white flowers

---

Etymology

Origin of paulownia

1835–45; < New Latin; named after Anna Pavlovna, daughter of Paul I of Russia; -ia

Example Sentences

Until this year, DPS bought the Paulownia species of hardwood for the core of many of its skis from China, but shipping delays meant that running out of the material was a real possibility.

From New York Times

DPS found a supplier of Paulownia in North Carolina, and after much testing, the specifications matched up.

From New York Times

The high-end fruits were also packaged in a paulownia wooden box, according to the Nishiuwa Agricultural Cooperative.

From Fox News

Apparently, it’s premium materials, like carbon fiber, 7000 series aerospace-grade aluminum, and paulownia wood.

From The Verge

It was an ordinary log from a paulownia tree, a seasoned slice of timber that, in another life, might have gone up in smoke in the fireplace of the Carson home in Havre de Grace.

From Washington Post