jacaranda

noun

Etymology: From Portuguese jacarandá, from Old Tupi îacaranda.

1. Any of several trees, of the genus Jacaranda, native to tropical South America, that have pale purple, funnel-shaped flowers. In horticultural use refers specifically to Jacaranda mimosifolia.

   “They passed slowly under the jacaranda trees beginning to bloom lavender over their heads.”

2. The hard, dark wood of these trees.
3. A trade name for similar hardwood timber from certain species of Dalbergia, notably Dalbergia frutescens, Dalbergia nigra and Dalbergia refusa.