Chinese lantern, noun phrase
- Origin:
- EnglishShow more Transferred use of English Chinese lantern a name for the plant Physalis alkekengi; so called from shape and arrangement of flowers or fruits (see quotations 1966 and 1984).
1. The plant Sandersonia aurantiaca of the Liliaceae. Occasionally in the phrase Chinese lantern lily.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 19Chinese lantern lily, Sandersonia aurantiaca. Eastern district.
1975 J.M. Gibson Wild Flowers of Natal 5Sandersonia aurantiaca Hook, (Chinese Lantern)...This flower has become so rare because Africans used to pick it for sale, as it lasted for so long.
2.
a. Occasionally in the phrase Chinese lantern tree:
i. The klapperbos (see klapper noun2 sense 2), Nymania capensis of the Meliaceae. See also sense 2 b.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 19Chinese lantern, Nymania capensis. The inflated capsules generally red.
1989 Conserva Vol.4 No.4, 22Nymania capensis, Chinese Lanterns, The seed must not be removed until the balloon-like capsule commences disintegrating.
ii. The tree Dichrostachys cinerea of the Mimosaceae.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 191Chinese lantern tree, Dichrostachys cinerea...When in full bloom the showy inflorescences resemble Chinese lanterns.
1987 F. Von Breitenbach Nat. List of Indigenous Trees 61Dichrostachys cinerea,...Sickle Bush,..Chinese Lanterns.
b. rare. The lantern-like fruit of the Chinese lantern tree, Nymania capensis (see sense 2 a i above).
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 191Chinese Lanterns, The fruits of Nymania capensis...The vernacular name is derived from the shape of the pendulous bladdery fruits, which are flushed pinkish-red when ripe.
The tree Dichrostachys cinerea of the Mimosaceae.
The lantern-like fruit of the Chinese lantern tree, Nymania capensis (see sense 2 a i above).
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