Any of several trees of the genus Bauhinia (family Caesalpiniaceae (Leguminosae)), especially the Asian B. variegata and the Australian B. hookeri (also "mountain ebony tree").
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in Hans Sloane (1660–1753), physician and collector.
Definition of mountain ebony in US English:
mountain ebony
noun
Any of several trees of the genus Bauhinia (family Caesalpiniaceae (Leguminosae)), especially the Asian B. variegata and the Australian B. hookeri (also "mountain ebony tree").
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in Hans Sloane (1660–1753), physician and collector.