melaleuca

[ mel-uh-loo-kuh ]

noun

1. 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.

melaleuca

/ ˌmɛləˈluːkə /

noun

1. any shrub or tree of the mostly Australian myrtaceous genus Melaleuca, found in sandy or swampy regions

Word History and Origins

Origin of melaleuca¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus), irregular coinage from Greek mélā ( s ) black + leukḗ, feminine of leukós white; so called from its black trunk and white branches

Word History and Origins

Origin of melaleuca¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek melas black + leukos white, from its black trunk and white branches

Example Sentences

The area is a disturbed wetland, invaded by non-native melaleuca trees that have crowded out native flora and fauna.

From The Daily Beast

The soil was excellent, and the brushes behind us abounded with a new species of melaleuca.

From Project Gutenberg

Oil of cajeput, is prepared in the Moluccas, by distilling the dry leaves of the melaleuca leucadendron.

From Project Gutenberg

The principal channel of the creek was lined with a species of Melaleuca, with slightly foliacious bark.

From Project Gutenberg

The Casuarina, which likes a light sandy soil, disappeared at the same time, and was succeeded by the narrow-leaved Melaleuca.

From Project Gutenberg

A Melaleuca with very small decussate leaves, a tree about twenty-five feet high, was growing on the scrubby ridges.

From Project Gutenberg