liriodendron Meaning, Definition & Usage

Lir`i*o*den"dron noun

Etymology

NL., fr. Gr. lily + tree.

Wordforms

plural Liriodendra

Definitions

1. (Bot.) A genus of large and very beautiful trees of North America, having smooth, shining leaves, and handsome, tuliplike flowers; tulip tree; whitewood; -- called also canoewood. Liriodendron tulipifera is the only extant species, but there were several others in the Cretaceous epoch.