melaleuca

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmɛləˈl(j)uːkə/

noun

  • an Australian shrub or tree which bears spikes of bottlebrush-like flowers. Some kinds are a source of timber or medicinal oil.
    • Genus Melaleuca, family Myrtaceae: many species

Origin:

modern Latin: from Greek melas 'black' + leukos 'white' (because of the fire-blackened white bark of some Asian species)