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Glite Dictionary
bunya bunya tree

bunya bunya tree

9.9
A large Australian tree that makes big cones with seeds you can eat
  • noun
  • Australian
translation icon : árbol bunya bunya
  • Aboriginal communities have traditionally gathered the seeds of the bunya bunya tree for food.

Examples

  • The bunya bunya tree produces large cones that contain edible seeds enjoyed by local wildlife.

  • Botanists traveled to Queensland to study the ancient bunya bunya tree and its ecological significance.

  • The bunya bunya tree produces delicious seeds.

  • Have you ever tasted the seeds of a bunya bunya tree?

  • Aboriginal communities have traditionally gathered the seeds of the bunya bunya tree for food.

  • The bunya bunya tree produces large cones that contain edible seeds enjoyed by local wildlife.

  • Botanists traveled to Queensland to study the ancient bunya bunya tree and its ecological significance.

Synonyms

Araucaria bidwillii
vsbunya bunya tree
  • Specialized
9.9

A large Australian tree that makes big cones with edible seeds like chestnuts

is the common cultural name used and notes the seeds' taste and value
bunya bunya
vsbunya bunya tree
  • Australian
9.9

A tall Australian tree that makes large edible seeds important to Aboriginal people

is a botanical description focusing on seed taste and species identity
bunya
vsbunya bunya tree
  • Australian
9.9

A large evergreen tree from Australia that has big cones with edible seeds

gives the fuller traditional name stressing cultural value and seed taste

Surface Forms

bunya bunya tree singular
bunya bunya trees plural

Morphology

bunya + bunya + tree

The name is compositionally clear: 'bunya' denotes the specific conifer and 'tree' identifies it as a tree, so the combined phrase refers to that species. Although the reduplication is lexicalized (from an Indigenous name), a B1 learner who knows 'bunya' and 'tree' can infer it denotes that particular type of tree.

Etymology

Bunya bunya tree likely comes from an Aboriginal word for this plant, because local people gathered its huge cones and tasty seeds for food and big feasts. That's why the name bunya bunya is used today for this Australian tree with 'edible seeds'.