mock orange

American  

noun

1. Also called syringa.  any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Philadelphus, of the saxifrage family, especially P. coronarius, a widely cultivated species having fragrant white flowers.

2. any of various other shrubs or trees having flowers or fruit resembling those of the orange, as the laurel cherry.

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mock orange British  

noun

1. Also called: syringa.  any shrub of the genus Philadelphus, esp P. coronarius, with white fragrant flowers that resemble those of the orange: family Philadelphaceae

2. any other shrub or tree that resembles the orange tree

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Etymology

Origin of mock orange

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

Eventually, if all goes as hoped, patches of Gary oak, desert gooseberry, and mock orange will take hold and a lush ribbon of cottonwood, willow, and ash trees will line the banks of the river.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 18, 2023

This includes Mediterranean sub-shrubs such as germander, rosemary and lavender, as well as West Coast native evergreen huckleberry, ceanothus and mock orange, all of which furnish the garden with structure, blooms and fragrance.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2023

For example, at Klickitat Trail, you’ll see mock orange, blue aster, gentian, buttercups and desert parsley starting in late April into early June.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2023

In a May 2 Behold, Jordan G. Teicher misstated in a photo caption that mason bees prefer mock orange flowers for foraging.

From Slate • May 6, 2016

Lilacs, snowballs and mock orange should be let alone during the winter, being neither trimmed nor covered with straw and manure.

From Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916 Embracing the Transactions of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society,Volume 44, from December 1, 1915, to December 1, 1916, Including the Twelve Numbers of "The Minnesota Horticulturist" for 1916 by Latham, A. W.