What does copihue mean?
Copihue is the name of the Chilean bellflower, a climbing evergreen plant native to Chile that is celebrated for its exceptionally large, waxy, bell-shaped blossoms. The flowers commonly appear in shades of pink, red, and white, with deep crimson forms becoming especially prominent as national symbols. When the copihue is described as Chile's national flower, the reference is to the species Lapageria rosea and to the place of the plant in Chilean cultural identity. In ordinary English, the word may refer either to an individual bloom or to the plant that produces it. It is encountered in writing and speech concerning Chile, gardening, botany, conservation, national symbolism, and floral design. The unusual name preserves the word's Mapuche origin and makes it immediately recognizable as a distinctly Chilean cultural term.
nounA large, showy, bell-shaped flower of the Chilean bellflower, Lapageria rosea, an evergreen climber native to Chile and recognized as Chile's national flower.
- The showy Chilean bellflower, especially as a single bloom or as the national flower of Chile.
"A single deep-red copihue can produce an impression of great elegance and richness."
"The conservatory displayed several rare copihues in full bloom."
"The deep-red copihue became an enduring symbol of Chilean identity."
The plural is uncommon in English; "copihue flowers" may be clearer when referring to several blossoms or plants.
"A row of copihues brightened the conservatory."
Chile gave the world a national flower with waxy, bell-shaped blooms that can span an entire vine in a wash of pink, red, or white.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does copihue come from?
Copihue comes from Mapudungun, also known as Mapuche, the language of the Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina. Spanish adopted the Mapuche name for the flower, and English subsequently retained it in the same form. The precise internal derivation of the original Mapuche name is not sufficiently secure to state with confidence.
How copihue is actually used
The word is chiefly associated with Chile and is usually written in lowercase in English. It can denote the flower, the flowering plant, or, in cultural and symbolic contexts, Chile itself.