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Glite Dictionary
devil tree

devil tree

9.9
A tall tropical tree from eastern Asia and the Philippines with glossy leaves and small white flowers
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : árbol diablo
  • In traditional medicine, the bark of the devil tree has been used to treat various ailments.

Examples

  • The flowers of the devil tree bloom in compact clusters, attracting many pollinators.

  • The devil tree grows abundantly in tropical regions, where its large leaves provide shade.

  • It's a devil tree.

    Eyes of Fire (1983)

Synonyms

Alstonia scholaris
vsdevil tree
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall evergreen tree from eastern Asia with large leaves and bark used in medicine

is the common English name rather than the Latin species label
dita
vsdevil tree
  • Philippine
9.9

An evergreen tree from eastern Asia and the Philippines with large leathery leaves and bark used in traditional medicine

is a different common name used for the same species
dita bark
vsdevil tree
  • Philippine
9.9

An evergreen tree from eastern Asia and the Philippines with large leathery leaves and small green white flower clusters

is the general tree term rather than focusing on the bark

Surface Forms

devil tree singular
devil trees plural

Morphology

devil + tree

The phrase is compositionally built from 'devil' + 'tree', so a B1 learner who knows those words will infer it denotes a kind of tree and likely expect an ominous or notable association (i.e., a tree called or associated with the devil). However, the specific botanical identity (Alstonia scholaris) and its medicinal properties are not predictable from the constituents, so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Devil tree may come from old local stories. People saw its dark bark and sticky, bitter sap and thought it was dangerous or home to 'spirits', so they called it the devil tree, and that is why the name is used for this tree today.