Albizzia lebbeck

9.9

A large tree with big leaves, round clusters of yellow-green flowers, and long seed pods that rattle in the wind

noun

Specialized

: Albizia lebbeck

The Albizzia lebbeck is often planted as a shade tree in parks and gardens.

Examples

On windy days, the seed pods of the Albizzia lebbeck make a distinctive rattling sound.
Botanists admire the delicate flowers and foliage of the Albizzia lebbeck during the blooming season.
The Albizzia lebbeck tree provides excellent shade in the summer.
Many gardeners appreciate the beauty of the Albizzia lebbeck in their yards.
On windy days, the seed pods of the Albizzia lebbeck make a distinctive rattling sound.
Botanists admire the delicate flowers and foliage of the Albizzia lebbeck during the blooming season.
The Albizzia lebbeck is often planted as a shade tree in parks and gardens.

Synonyms

Albizia lebbeck

vsAlbizzia lebbeck

Specialized

9.9

A large tree from warm regions with big leaves, round yellow-green flower clusters and long seed pods that rattle

is the standard form with a spelling difference in the botanical name

siris

vsAlbizzia lebbeck

9.9

A large spreading tree with big leaves, round yellow-green flowers and long seed pods that rattle in the wind

uses the botanical name that lists physical features instead

siris tree

vsAlbizzia lebbeck

9.9

A large tree with broad leaves, round clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, and long seed pods that rattle in the wind

uses the formal botanical name rather than a descriptive phrase

Surface Forms

Albizzia lebbeck singular

Albizzia lebbecks plural

Morphology

Albizzia + lebbeck

This is a scientific binomial: knowing 'Albizzia' (a genus of tropical trees) lets a learner infer it refers to a kind of tree, but the species epithet 'lebbeck' has no dictionary meaning and the specific attributes (large spreading form, flowers, pods) cannot be derived from the parts. Because the genus gives some transparent information but the detailed meaning is arbitrary and not predictable, the overall expression is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Albizzia lebbeck may come from a person and an older 'local name': the first part Albizzia was named for an Italian plant collector, Filippo degli Albizzi, who brought the tree to Europe, and the second part lebbeck comes from a local name for the tree. So, the full name helps us remember this large, spreading shade tree with round clusters of pale yellow-green flowers and long seed pods that rattle in the wind.