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Glite Dictionary
screw tree

screw tree

9.9
A tropical tree or shrub with seed pods twisted like a spiral
  • noun
translation icon : árbol tornillo
  • The screw tree is easily recognized by its unique, twisted seed pods.

Examples

  • In Hawaii, the screw tree is often found near the coast.

  • Many herbal remedies use the bark of the screw tree to treat coughs.

  • Farmers in India sometimes plant the screw tree along field borders for its medicinal value.

  • The screw tree produces unique twisted fruits.

  • Farmers in India sometimes plant the screw tree along field borders for its medicinal value.

  • Many herbal remedies use the bark of the screw tree to treat coughs.

  • The screw tree is easily recognized by its unique, twisted seed pods.

Synonyms

Helicteres
vsscrew tree
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small trees and shrubs from tropical America and Asia with long twisted fruits

is the informal common name used for those same plants

Surface Forms

screw tree singular
screw trees plural

Morphology

screw + tree

The compound is a straightforward descriptive noun: 'screw' (understood as a helical/spiral object or action of twisting) + 'tree' yields a tree characterized by screw‑like (spirally twisted) features. Naming plants by a salient shape or part is a common, compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent senses would readily infer this meaning.

Etymology

Screw tree: The name screw tree comes from the plant's long seed pods that twist like a screw, so people called the tree after that shape and the name now means a 'tree' with spiral fruit.