ribbon tree
- noun
- New Zealand
:
árbol cinta
- The ribbon tree is valued for the strong fibers obtained from its inner bark.
Examples
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Local craftspeople use the bark of the ribbon tree to make traditional items.
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During our visit to New Zealand, we learned how the ribbon tree is harvested for its so-called New Zealand cotton.
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The ribbon tree is native to New Zealand.
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Many ribbon trees grow in the wild.
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During our visit to New Zealand, we learned how the ribbon tree is harvested for its fibers, which are used to make New Zealand cotton.
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Local craftspeople use the bark of the ribbon tree to create various traditional items.
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The ribbon tree is highly valued for the durable fibers obtained from its inner bark.
Synonyms
A tree from New Zealand that loses its leaves and has inner bark with strong fiber like flax
A tree from New Zealand whose inner bark makes a strong fibre for weaving
A New Zealand tree with strong bark that people use to make cord and that has small white fragrant flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
As a noun–noun compound, a B1 learner who knows 'ribbon' and 'tree' can reasonably infer this refers to a tree associated with ribbon-like material or appearance (i.e., a tree that looks like or provides ribbon-like fibers). However, the precise botanical sense — that its inner bark yields a specific strong fiber called New Zealand cotton — is specialized and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so the expression is only partly transparent.
Etymology
Ribbon tree gets its name from the way the inner bark peels off in long, ribbon-like strips that people pull from the tree and use as a strong fiber. That's why the strips are often called 'New Zealand cotton' and the name links directly to the tree's use for weaving and crafts.
