ixora

[ ik-ser-uh ]

noun

1. any of numerous tropical shrubs or trees belonging to the genus Ixora, of the madder family, having glossy leaves and clusters of showy flowers in a variety of colors.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ixora¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus) ≪ Sanskrit īśvara Ishvara; the flowers of some species serve as votive offerings in India

Example Sentences

Olanna was holding Baby’s hand and looking at the whistling pine and ixora and lilies, all shapeless and tangled.

From Literature

Before us stood a riot of nature: century old mahogany trees, towering ferns, bamboo and a crazy array of wildflowers — ixora, heliconia and porcelain rose.

From New York Times

‘We’ll plant new orange trees in Abba when we come back, and Jaja will plant purple hibis cus, too, and I’ll plant ixora so we can suck the juices of the flowers.”

From Literature

“Everybody has that reaction the first time. My good friend Phillipa is a lecturer in botany. She did a lot of experimental work while she was here. Look, here’s white ixora, but it doesn’t bloom as fully as the red.”

From Literature

“This is about to bloom,” Aunt Ifeoma said to Jaja, pointing at an ixora bud.

From Literature