tea tree

noun

1. a tall shrub or small tree, Leptospermum scoparium, of the myrtle family, native to New Zealand and Australia, having silky foliage when young, and bell-shaped, white flowers: often planted to prevent beach erosion.

tea tree

noun

1. any of various myrtaceous trees of the genus Leptospermum, of Australia and New Zealand, that yield an oil used as an antiseptic

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea tree¹

First recorded in 1750–60; so called from the use of its leaves as an infusion