a Chinese magnolia, Magnolia denudata, that is often cultivated for its showy white flowers
Word origin
C19: from Chinese, from yu a gem + lan plant
yulan in American English
(ˈjuːlæn, Chinese ˈjʏˈlɑːn)
noun
a magnolia tree, Magnolia heptapeta, native to China, having large, fragrant white flowers and cylindrical brownish fruit
Word origin
[1815–25; ‹ Chin yùlan (yù jade + lán orchid)]This word is first recorded in the period 1815–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aesthetic, artifact, heuristic, norm, reamer