tea tree

American  

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.

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tea tree British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tea tree

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

Example Sentences

Tea tree oil found in some shampoos, soaps and lotions can enlarge the breasts of boys reported ABC news. And sore and tender breasts have also been reported from using a shampoo with pomegranate.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2014

This occurred among the low hills dividing the Mogoung district from the valley of Hookhoong, close to the Dupai-beng-kheoung, or Tea tree Nullah. 

From Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma, Bhootan, Afghanistan and the Neighbouring Countries by Griffith, William

How the inestimable qualities which lie latent in the green leaf of the Tea tree or bush were discovered and developed by the Chinese is one of those mysteries which we shall never solve.

From Tea Leaves by Leggett, Francis

Petiver considered our plant as a species of Tea tree; future observations will probably confirm his conjecture.

From The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 2 or Flower-Garden Displayed by Curtis, William