melaleuca
[mel-uh-loo-kuh]
- any of various chiefly Australian shrubs or trees belonging to the genus Melaleuca, of the myrtle family, including the cajeput and several species of bottlebrush.
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Origin of melaleuca
< New Latin (Linnaeus), irregular coinage from Greek mélā(s) black + leukḗ, feminine of leukós white; so called from its black trunk and white branches
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for melaleuca
Historical Examples
The trees in this creek are melaleuca and gum, with some others.
Explorations in Australia, The Journals of John McDouall StuartJohn McDouall Stuart
The soil was excellent, and the brushes behind us abounded with a new species of melaleuca.
From the Malay words kayu, wood; and putih, oil; the useful oil obtained from the Melaleuca leucadendron.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
Clumps of melaleuca occurred at intervals, and at a distance appeared like low hills.
Journals of Australian ExplorationsA C and F T Gregory
The country generally was more open, with grassy box-flats; melaleuca scrubs less frequent.
Journals of Australian ExplorationsA C and F T Gregory
melaleuca
- any shrub or tree of the mostly Australian myrtaceous genus Melaleuca, found in sandy or swampy regions
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Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek melas black + leukos white, from its black trunk and white branches
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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