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Glite Dictionary
looking glass tree

looking glass tree

9.9
A large evergreen tree from India and Burma with leaves that are silvery underneath
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : árbol espejo
  • The leaves of the looking glass tree glimmer in the sunlight, creating a striking silver effect.

Examples

  • Villagers in India often rest under the shade of the looking glass tree during hot afternoons.

  • The looking glass tree is often admired for its unique leaves, which are silvery underneath and add a distinctive charm to landscaping.

  • Botanists appreciate the looking glass tree for its distinctive foliage and sturdy trunk.

  • The looking glass tree is a stunning addition to any garden.

  • Have you seen a looking glass tree before?

  • The leaves of the looking glass tree shimmer with a silver hue, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardens.

  • In the tropics, the looking glass tree provides a beautiful backdrop with its lush, green foliage and reflective leaves.

Synonyms

Heritiera macrophylla
vslooking glass tree
  • Specialized
9.9

A large evergreen tree from India and Burma with leaves that are silver underneath

is the common name used instead of the botanical name

Surface Forms

looking glass tree singular
looking glass trees plural

Morphology

looking + glass + tree

The phrase is partly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'looking' and 'glass' could plausibly infer a tree with glass‑like or reflective qualities (e.g., silvery or shiny leaves). However, this is a specific plant name and the exact botanical sense (silvery leaf undersides native to India/Burma) is lexicalized and not fully predictable from the parts, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Looking glass tree may come from the shiny, silvery underside of its leaves. The words looking glass mean 'mirror', so when the leaves turn or catch the light they look like many small mirrors on the tree. That's why the name refers to a tree whose leaves flash silver in the sun.