Pipturus albidus

9.9

A Hawaiian tree whose bark people use to make traditional cloth

noun

Specialized

: Pipturus albidus

The bark of the Pipturus albidus has long been used in Hawaii to make traditional tapa cloth.

Examples

Local artisans use Pipturus albidus bark to create traditional tapa cloth.
Researchers are studying how the Pipturus albidus contributes to island ecosystems.
Many native Hawaiian gardens include the Pipturus albidus for its cultural significance and beautiful foliage.
The Pipturus albidus tree grows abundantly in Hawaii.
The bark of the Pipturus albidus has long been used in Hawaii to make traditional tapa cloth.
Local artisans use Pipturus albidus bark to create traditional tapa cloth.
Many native Hawaiian gardens include the Pipturus albidus for its cultural significance.

Surface Forms

Pipturus albidus singular

Pipturus albidus plural

Morphology

Pipturus + albidus

This is a Linnaean binomial (genus + specific epithet), so a learner who knows 'Pipturus' can infer it names a species of that plant genus (i.e., a plant). However 'albidus' is a Latin epithet not found in the learner dictionary and the specific sense and cultural information (Hawaiian tree, bark used for tapa) cannot be derived from the parts, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Pipturus albidus points to the tree's pale look and its use: Pipturus is the plant name and albidus means 'whitish'. Imagine people stripping the light bark and beating it into tapa 'cloth', so the name refers to a Hawaiian tree used to make that traditional cloth.