bead tree

9.9

A small tropical tree with bright red or black seeds used for jewelry

noun

Specialized

: árbol de perlas

The bead tree, with its clusters of purple flowers, is a stunning addition to tropical gardens.

Examples

Also known as "china tree" and as "bead tree," since its berries are commonly used to make necklaces and rosaries.

Fiction book (1992)
The small bead tree produces bright scarlet berries that are often used in handmade jewelry.
In the West Indies, the bead tree is admired for its ornamental seeds that attract wildlife.

Synonyms

Ormosia monosperma

vsbead tree

Specialized

9.9

A small tropical tree with purple flowers and black or red seeds often used as beads

is the common descriptive name used in ordinary speech

jumby tree

vsbead tree

9.9

A small Caribbean tree with pointed leaves, purple flowers, and red or black seeds that have dark spots

describes flowers as simple clusters rather than branching panicles

jumby bean

vsbead tree

9.9

A small Caribbean tree with purple flower clusters and bright black or red seeds often used for jewelry

refers to the whole tree species rather than focusing on seeds

necklace tree

vsbead tree

Specialized

9.9

A tree with bright seeds used as beads in jewelry

describes the plant by its physical traits and native occurrence

Surface Forms

bead tree singular

bead trees plural

Morphology

bead + tree

The compound is transparently formed from 'bead' + 'tree' and denotes a type of tree characterized by bead-like seeds or ornamentation; a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a tree associated with beads. This noun–noun compounding follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern (e.g. 'apple tree') so a B1 learner would likely understand the basic meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Bead tree is named for its hard, shiny seeds that look like beads and are often used for 'jewelry' and crafts. So the name links bead + tree and helps you remember a tree that makes bead-like seeds.