umbrella tree

American  

noun

1. an American magnolia, Magnolia tripetala, having large leaves in umbrellalike clusters.

2. any of various other trees resembling an umbrella.

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umbrella tree British  

noun

1. a North American magnolia, Magnolia tripetala, having long leaves clustered into an umbrella formation at the ends of the branches and unpleasant-smelling white flowers

2. Also called: umbrella bush.  Any of various other trees or shrubs having leaves shaped like an umbrella or growing in an umbrella-like cluster

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Etymology

Origin of umbrella tree

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40

Example Sentences

Washington State takes its trees seriously and the university offers online tree tours so you can learn about the campus flora, including the umbrella tree with its 20-inch leaves.

From New York Times

The building has a large atrium filled with ficus; Chinese evergreens; Schefflera, also known as an umbrella tree; and Sansevieria, also known as snake tongue or mother-in-law’s tongue.

From Seattle Times

Tall, broad-leafed greenery such as snake plants, weeping figs or umbrella trees can also block out distractions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The umbrella tree has an umbrella-like whorl of leaves surrounding the flower whose white cup stands above three recurving white sepals.

From Project Gutenberg

It was an unpleasantly warm morning, and the thick, black shade of an umbrella tree made queer neighbours—as queer neighbours as the Jungle Circuit could produce.

From Project Gutenberg