‖n.; pl.Liriodendra [ NL., fr. Gr. lei`rion lily + de`ndron tree. ] (Bot.) A genus of large and very beautiful trees of North America, having smooth, shining leaves, and handsome, tuliplike flowers; tulip tree; whitewood; -- called also canoewood. Liriodendron tulipifera is the only extant species, but there were several others in the Cretaceous epoch. [ 1913 Webster ]