melaleuca

noun

mel·​a·​leu·​ca ˌme-lə-ˈl(y)ü-kə 

: any of a genus (Melaleuca) of Australian and southeast Asian trees and shrubs of the myrtle family

especially : cajeput

Examples of melaleuca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once inside, a striking wood and terrazzo staircase ascends to an expansive living room that sports a melaleuca tree encased within a glass atrium. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek melas black + leuka, feminine of leukos white — more at light

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

melaleuca

noun

mel·​a·​leu·​ca ˌmel-ə-ˈl(y)ü-kə 

1

capitalized : a genus of Australian and southeast Asian trees and shrubs of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that includes the cajeput (M. leucadendron)

2

: any tree or shrub of the genus Melaleuca