leptospermum

[ lep-tuh-spur-muhm ]

noun

1. any of various shrubs or trees of the genus Leptospermum, of the myrtle family, native to Australia and adjacent areas and often cultivated as ornamentals in milder climates.

Word History and Origins

Origin of leptospermum¹

< New Latin (1776), equivalent to lepto- lepto- + -spermum, neuter of -spermus -spermous

Example Sentences

A: Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, where bees visit the flowers of the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium.

From Seattle Times

In New Zealand, manuka honey comes solely from the nectar of a plant known as Leptospermum scoparium, commonly called a manuka bush.

From Seattle Times

They say the Australian bushes in the genus Leptospermum are so closely related to the New Zealand bush as to be nearly indistinguishable, noting that until about 65 million years ago, Australia and New Zealand were part of the same landmass and shared the same species.

From Seattle Times

"The great Australian writer Patrick White issued this challenge in his poem Nine Thoughts from Sydney, an appropriate selection perhaps for a senator from New South Wales. He wrote: Where is the politician who will flower like the leptospermum citrata, Who will sound like the surf out of the Antarctic. Who has in his hands the knots of coolibah, And in his soul the tears of migrants landing from Piraeus?"

From BBC

Shown in photo gallery above: The box is about 2 feet by 3 inches and contains peach branches, ranunculus, anemones, larkspur, leptospermum, wax flower, ivy and pittosporum, $400 plus tax and delivery.

From Los Angeles Times