Kurrajongs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Australian tree known for its strong timber and distinctive flowers, often used to provide shade in gardens and parks
2. Referring to the several species of trees native to Australia, characterized by their drought resistance and fibrous bark
3. Trees that thrive in arid regions of Australia, notable for their ability to support wildlife and serve as an important ecological component

Etymology: "Kurrajongs" is the plural of "kurrajong," the name of several Australian trees and shrubs, most familiar from the Brachychiton genus. The singular comes from Dharug, the language of the people of the Sydney region, where "garrajung" meant "fishing line." The name was given because of the tree's bark, which the Dharug people stripped and twisted into strong cord. The name thus describes a use rather than the tree's appearance. A plant that gave cordage useful for fishing lines was named for that purpose, and the English-speaking colonists in Sydney adopted the word for the trees that yielded it. The plural simply adds the regular English "-s" to the borrowed noun.