(In full "hand-flower tree") a Mexican tree, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (family Malvaceae), the flowers of which have five curved red stamens, somewhat resembling a hand or claw.
Origin
Early 19th century.
Definition of hand-flower in US English:
hand-flower
noun
(In full "hand-flower tree") a Mexican tree, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (family Malvaceae), the flowers of which have five curved red stamens, somewhat resembling a hand or claw.