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

The aromatherapy head massage was a dry one, in which Nevins rubbed tingly feeling tea tree oil into my scalp and then applied an electronic, cephalopod-like device, its multiple arms whirling away tension.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

Then I sanded the nail down and applied tea tree oil.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2023

Zagorski also says that some plant-derived products are also known endocrine disruptors, lavender oil and tea tree oil being notable examples.

From National Geographic • Sep. 6, 2023

Make sure the product doesn’t contain baking soda, tea tree oil or peppermint — which can cause irritation and unpleasant tingling.

From Washington Post • Nov. 28, 2022

These pools were generally lined with patches of a narrow-leaved tea tree; and were full of basaltic pebbles.

From Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia : from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles, during the years 1844-1845 by Leichhardt, Ludwig