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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of paulownia

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

Example Sentences

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 • Feb. 25, 2019

Around us, paulownia and ginkgoes swayed in the wind.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 8, 2018

You're probably aware of the exotic, organic surfboard materials available today: bamboo, agave, balsa, hemp, redwood, sekopalm, koa, paulownia.

From Time Magazine Archive

Brought to Japan from China in the 9th century, it is fashioned out of blond paulownia wood.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tree-ear made his way cautiously to his favorite spot, behind a paulownia tree whose low branches kept him hidden from view.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park