Kellopuu

Kellopuu (literally "clock tree") is a term found in Finnish-language folklore and literature. The word is formed from kell- "clock" and puu "tree"; it does not denote a recognized plant species in scientific taxonomy. In traditional tales and poetry, kellopuu often functions as a mythical or symbolic element associated with timekeeping, bells, or the passage of time. Some sources portray the kellopuu as a tree whose branches bear bells or whose inner chambers toll like a clock, while others use the term metaphorically to designate the source of clocks or the idea of time.

In modern usage, kellopuu is uncommon outside literary or folkloric contexts. It may appear in regional tales, children's literature, or as a poetic device, and it is generally not used in horticultural classifications or formal botany. The term sometimes appears in translations or as a title for works exploring time, memory, or Finnish folklore. Because it is primarily a literary and cultural construct, kellopuu is typically discussed in discussions of Finnish folklore, poetry, and symbolism rather than in scientific descriptions of plants.