Yulan

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of flowering tree known for its large, fragrant blossoms that typically bloom in spring
2. An ornamental tree valued for its stunning flowers and graceful appearance, often found in gardens or parks
3. A deciduous tree with distinctive cup-shaped flowers that emerge from bare branches before leaves, celebrated for its beauty

Etymology: Yulan is the Chinese magnolia, and its name is a plain description: the Mandarin "yùlán" combines "yù", meaning jade, with "lán", meaning orchid. Its flowers, with their creamy white petals, were admired for their jade-like pallor, and the tree was named for that quality rather than for any relation to true orchids, which belong to an entirely different plant family. The word is a Chinese compound borrowed whole into English, so the English term keeps the original two-part meaning intact. Anyone who learns it meets the same image the Chinese speaker first heard: a precious stone set beside a fragrant flower.

Synonyms: magnolia denudata, Chinese magnolia