flowering maple: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “flowering maple” mean?
A common name for plants of the genus Abutilon, which are shrubs or small trees with maple-like leaves and bell-shaped flowers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common name for plants of the genus Abutilon, which are shrubs or small trees with maple-like leaves and bell-shaped flowers.
A popular ornamental plant grown for its attractive foliage and showy flowers, often cultivated in gardens and as a houseplant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The name is used in both varieties. In British horticultural contexts, 'Abutilon' is more common.
Connotations
Ornamental gardening; conservatory or greenhouse plant.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American gardening catalogs and nurseries.
Grammar
How to Use “flowering maple” in a Sentence
grow [a flowering maple]plant [the flowering maple] in [a pot]the flowering maple [bloomed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flowering maple” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Abutilon is flowering nicely in the conservatory.
American English
- My flowering maple is blooming earlier this year.
adjective
British English
- She bought a flowering-maple specimen for the patio.
American English
- The garden centre has a new flowering maple variety.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in nursery or gardening supply contexts.
Academic
Used in botanical and horticultural texts.
Everyday
Used by gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
Technical
Botanical genus Abutilon, family Malvaceae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flowering maple”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flowering maple”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flowering maple”
- Confusing it with a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum).
- Using 'flowering maple' as a plural noun (e.g., 'flowering maples' is acceptable for multiple plants).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a true maple (genus Acer). It is a common name for plants in the genus Abutilon, named for the resemblance of its leaves to maple leaves.
Yes, many Abutilon varieties are popular as houseplants or conservatory plants, requiring bright light and well-drained soil.
Flowers can be yellow, orange, red, pink, or white, often with a bell or lantern shape.
Yes, 'Chinese lantern' is another common name for Abutilon plants, though it can also refer to Physalis (the bladder cherry). Context is key.
A common name for plants of the genus Abutilon, which are shrubs or small trees with maple-like leaves and bell-shaped flowers.
Flowering maple is usually specialist, horticultural in register.
Flowering maple: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaʊərɪŋ ˈmeɪp(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaʊ(ə)rɪŋ ˈmeɪpəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLOWERing MAPLE: It FLOWERS like a bell, but its LEAVES look like a MAPLE tree's.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT AS DECORATION (the flowering maple 'dresses up' a garden).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'flowering maple' botanically?