baillonella
|bai-ə-nel-ə|
/ˌbaɪəˈnɛlə/
a genus named after Baillon (a tree)
Etymology
'baillonella' originates from Modern Latin, specifically formed from the French surname 'Baillon' (after botanist H. E. Baillon) combined with the diminutive/derivational suffix '-ella'.
'baillonella' was coined in botanical Latin in the 19th century as a genus name honoring Baillon; the form derives from the surname 'Baillon' plus the Latin/Neo-Latin suffix '-ella', and was adopted into modern scientific use as the genus name 'Baillonella'.
Initially coined as a commemorative (eponymous) name honoring the botanist Baillon; over time it came to be used specifically to denote the taxonomic genus of trees (and species within it) in botanical literature.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of large tropical trees in the family Sapotaceae, native to parts of Central and West Africa; commonly associated with the species Baillonella toxisperma (moabi), valued for its timber and oil.
The baillonella is an important source of timber in parts of Central Africa.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 22:46