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Glite Dictionary
Triplochiton scleroxylon

Triplochiton scleroxylon

9.9
A large West African tree with light soft wood for making furniture, often called obeche
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Triplochiton scleroxylon
  • Many West African forests are home to the Triplochiton scleroxylon, also known as the obeche tree.

Examples

  • The wood of the Triplochiton scleroxylon tree is highly valued for its light weight and workability.

  • Panels and veneers made from Triplochiton scleroxylon are commonly used in furniture and interior design.

  • The Triplochiton scleroxylon tree can grow up to 50 meters tall.

  • Many carpenters prefer Triplochiton scleroxylon for its lightweight wood.

  • The Triplochiton scleroxylon, or obeche tree, is known for its soft, light-colored wood used in various timber products.

  • Furniture crafted from Triplochiton scleroxylon showcases its beautiful pale yellow hue and lightweight properties.

  • Ecologists study the Triplochiton scleroxylon tree's role in local ecosystems, particularly in West African forests.

Synonyms

obeche
vsTriplochiton scleroxylon
  • UK
9.9

A large West African tree that has large lobed leaves and soft pale wood

is the formal scientific species name used in timber descriptions
obechi
vsTriplochiton scleroxylon
  • UK
9.9

A large West African tree with soft pale wood used for furniture and plywood

is the formal scientific species name rather than the common spelling

Surface Forms

Triplochiton scleroxylon singular
Triplochiton scleroxylons plural

Morphology

Triplochiton + scleroxylon

This is a scientific Latin binomial: knowing 'Triplochiton' (a genus of tropical trees) allows a learner to infer the phrase refers to a specific species of that tree, so the referential relation is clear. However, the species epithet 'scleroxylon' is a technical, Greek-derived term not part of everyday vocabulary, so its specific semantic contribution (e.g. relating to wood hardness) is not predictable to a B1 learner, making the overall item only partly transparent.

Etymology

Triplochiton scleroxylon comes from old Greek words and creates a simple image: Triplochiton suggests the tree's large, layered leaves and scleroxylon literally means 'hard wood'. So the name points to a big West African tree valued for its pale 'timber' that is easy to work with and often used in furniture.